Phil Vassar and Craig Morgan may be country music stars, but they make the rest of us look a bit like slackers. Although the two long-time friends could easily take the holidays off from work, they’ve actually used it as found time to do an acoustic holiday show they’d hoped to do for several years.
“We did more shows this year than we ever did,” said Vassar of his year of touring most recently behind his first holiday album “Noel.” “This end of the year is such a casual thing. Craig and I have been friends for years and it’s great to sit up there and sing Christmas songs.”
| Onstage |
| Craig Morgan & Phil Vassar — Acoustic Christmas Tour |
| When: 6 p.m., doors, 8 p.m. show, Sunday |
| Where: State Theatre, 220 N. Washington St., Falls Church |
| Info: $40 advance, $45 day of show; 703-237-0300; thestatetheatre.com |
The casual atmosphere is likely especially welcome since both men have spent much of this year at various high-profile events and working on their respective music. Vassar, who just signed with a new record label, is also working on another album and soon-to-be-announced movie. The equally busy Morgan, a military veteran, is taking time out when he’s in the area to travel to Norfolk and give a free concert to military families and volunteers at the U.S. Naval Station.
“That’s a big part of who I am and it’s a wonderful thing to me,” said Morgan of the military in which he served on active duty for 11 years and 7 years in the Reserves. “When I first started entertaining (the troops), I was entertaining some guys I had served with.”
Morgan also attended such concerts, by everyone from Charlie Daniels to Sawyer Brown, when he served in the U.S. Army. Those memories, he said, only add to the excitement he has about the shows that have included nine trips to Iraq and Afghanistan through the years.
Both men said they are quite mindful, especially when they visit the Washington area, how bittersweet the holidays are for many.
“Some of the letters I found that I hadn’t read before,” said Vassar of fan correspondence he had only recently received. “A lot were from military guys who would write about sitting in their foxholes and listening to one of my songs. It is so great to hear things like that, that our songs are important to them. That means a lot to us. It’s difficult to put into words.”
Of course the two will also be sure there is plenty of holiday cheer at the show, too, with a mix of songs that will include such originals as “Santa’s Gone Hollywood,” from Vassar’s new album.
“It is fun to do those songs,” said Vassar, a Lynchburg native who will make a stop in his hometown after the concert. “Let’s have fun and laugh and enjoy!”
