Country Star Phil Vassar headlines 17th Gold Dust Gala
Santa Paula News
Published: May 02, 2007
Country recording star Phil Vassar, whose song “Last Day of My Life” topped the country charts in 2006, will return to Ventura’s Seaside Park to headline the 17th annual Gold Dust Gala on Saturday, May 12th.
Country recording star Phil Vassar, whose song “Last Day of My Life” topped the country charts in 2006, will return to Ventura’s Seaside Park to headline the 17th annual Gold Dust Gala on Saturday, May 12th.
Proceeds from the benefit event go toward early breast cancer detection and intervention by providing free mammograms and surgical procedures for women in the community who cannot afford these life-saving exams and treatments.
Last year’s Gold Dust Gala helped scores of women like Joanne Azoo, who was referred to The Breast Center at Community Memorial Hospital. The Breast Center’s highly trained all-female staff guided Azoo through her successful battle to beat infiltrating duct breast cancer with the most sophisticated medical care available in Ventura County.
The Gold Dust Gala, sponsored by the Community Memorial Healthcare Foundation, begins at 6 p.m. with cocktails, a silent auction and western line dancing. A barbecue dinner and performance by local country band Caught Red Handed will follow at 7 p.m., with Vassar taking the stage at 8:30 p.m.
Those attending also have the opportunity to win a pair of diamond earrings donated by Van Gundy & Sons Jewelers, and purchase Gold Dust Bags filled with an assortment of gifts and products.
Tickets are $95 for preferred seating and $75 for general seating, and can be purchased online at www.golddustgala.com, or by calling 667-2881. Tickets also are available at The Wharf, 980 E. Front St., Ventura.
It marks the third time Vassar has performed at the Gold Dust Gala, the popular singer-songwriter previously appearing in 2003 and 2006.
Selected Billboard magazine’s Top New Country Artist of the Year in 2000, Vassar has strung together a long list of Top 10 singles over the past seven years, including No. 1 hits “Just Another Day in Paradise” (2000), “In a Real Love” (2004) and “Last Day of My life” (2006). His 2006 CD “Greatest Hits, Vol. 1” reached the Top 10 in country sales.
Before making a name for himself as a singer and pianist, the Lynchburg, Va., native was one of the top songwriters in Nashville, penning hits for country stars Collin Raye (“Little Red Rodeo”), Alan Jackson (“Right on the Money”), Kenny Chesney (“There Goes My Life” and “I Go Back”), Tim McGraw (“For a Little While” and “My Next Thirty Years”), Jo Dee Messina (“Bye Bye” and “I’m Alright”) and BlackHawk (“Postmarked Birmingham”).
Vassar signed a record deal of his own with Arista in 1998, and is now recognized as one of country music’s most electric performers.
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