Ball State will play host to two of country music's fresh new faces this evening. Trick Pony and Phil Vassar will perform at 8 p.m. in Emens Auditorium.
Phil Vassar first began his music career playing in small clubs with just a keyboard. Because he performed alone Vassar learned to be an entertainer as well as a singer.
His first co-writing opportunity came with Skip Ewing ("Mary Go Round").
This led to Vassar writing with other famous Nashville artists and building relationships with artists and producers.
Vassar continued writing songs for country artists, creating hits for artists such as Tim McGraw ("My Next Thirty Years"), Alan Jackson ("Right On The Money"), and Colin Raye ("Little Red Rodeo").
Vassar won the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers award for Song of the Year for writing JoDee Messina's hit "I'm Alright." This also earned Vassar the honor of Songwriter of the Year in 1999.
Although he enjoyed writing, Vassar longed to create his own album. In 1998, Vassar signed a contract to begin work with producer Byron Gallimore.
Vassar's self-titled debut album, which he co-wrote, has earned him a few top 10 songs of his own. Some of these hits include "Carlene," "Just Another Day in Paradise," and "Six-Pack Summer."
Trick Pony is another award-winning country sensation that will be taking the stage tonight. The group won this year's American Music Award for Favorite New Country Artist. Trick Pony's album is another self-titled debut album.
The record-setting album was recently certified gold after selling more than 500,000 copies. The album helped make Trick Pony the best-selling new country act of 2001.
Trick Pony first began four years ago performing at small clubs throughout the southeast. From there they worked on building a solid fan base before launching themselves into the national spotlight.
The group's members include Heidi Newfield (vocals, harmonica and acoustic guitar), Ira Dean (stand-up bass, electric bass and vocals) and Keith Burns (acoustic guitar and vocals).
With the top-10 hit "Pour Me" and its No. 1 song "On a Night Like This," the group has been given two nominations by the Academy of Country Music Awards. The nominations for the group are in the Top New Vocal Duo/Group and Top Vocal Group categories.
Seating is still available for tonight's concert. Tickets can be purchased at the Emens box office for $24.50 and $19.50. The box office is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
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