Phil Vassar photo by Jim Wright, courtesy of Universal Records South.

Phil asked for and was granted his release, and quickly signed with Universal South. "I love everyone at over at Arista, but it was time to move on. Being an artist isn't easy, so you need a lot of focus from everyone around you, and I've got that now."

Co-produced with Universal South President and noted producer Mark Wright (Gretchen Wilson, Brooks & Dunn, Lee Ann Womack), the new album may show Phil's serious side, but he hasn't forgotten how to have fun. "My Chevrolet," "Why Don't Ya" and "Baby Rocks" rank among his best toe-tappers and are already getting warm receptions at his heralded live shows.

Even on the love songs, Phil shows his uncommon charm, wit and playfulness, be it "Around Here Somewhere" or "It's Only Love." And he's not shy about taking strong emotions head on with "I Would" or on the stunningly raw "Let Me Love You Tonight."

His songwriting is fueled by his hard-charging touring schedule. "People ask me why I still do so many shows, but you work your whole life just to get to the point where people want you to come play," he says. "Plus, I've gotten in a groove the last few years where I can write on the road, come back and go straight into the studio with the band and cut demos.

"I'm actually more creative on the road. You're tired and your defenses are kind of down. Some of the best songs I've written have come when I was so exhausted that it kind of cleared out my head."

The ulterior motives in this grueling work pace are his children. "Now when I come home, I just want to be home," he says. "I want to immerse myself in that. If you can find a balance between those you love and work, you're doing pretty good."

And so the concerns on Phil's plate very much mirror those of his fans. "I'm just like everyone else," he says. "My payments are just a little bigger." His response, likewise, is what you'd expect of someone who prays the prayers of a common man: He'll laugh a little, dance a little, cry a little and, this time around, he's not afraid to speak up a little, too.

At this point, music fans should expect nothing less.