Country Music Star Phil Vassar to Kick Off Show Series at the Cole

Aug. 8, 2025 – Country music artist Phil Vassar will make a stop at the Cole Auditorium as he embarks on his “25 Years of Paradise” Tour, which celebrates the 25th anniversary of his breakout hit, “Just Another Day in Paradise.” He will kick off the five-show 2025-2026 Performing Arts Series at the Cole with his concert Tuesday, Oct. 28, at 7:30 p.m.

Piano-pounding powerhouse Vassar is no stranger to the Cole Auditorium having performed a Christmas show with Kellie Pickler in 2017. He was also slated to come back in 2020, but the show was eventually cancelled due to COVID.

Over 25 years, Vassar has racked up chart-topping hits and numerous accolades, including performances in Europe, Australia and the White House, as well as memorable moments with country legends like Merle Haggard and Willie Nelson. But it’s the connection he builds with fans through live performances that remains the heart of his career.

“When I go on stage, the world fades away, and it’s just about having fun and connecting with the fans,” he shares.

A prolific talent in Nashville, Vassar’s songwriting career blossomed in the mid-‘90s. He secured a publishing contract with EMI and penned hits for country stars like Collin Raye (“Little Red Rodeo”), Alan Jackson (“Right on the Money”), Tim McGraw (“My Next Thirty Years,” “For a Little While”), Jo Dee Messina (“Bye Bye,” “Alright”), and Blackhawk (“Postmarked Birmingham”). By 1998, Vassar had signed a record deal with Arista and was honored as ASCAP’s Country Songwriter of the Year in both 1999 and 2001.

Ticket prices: $40 to $55

Dolly’s Christmas Special

The next show in the series is “Dolly Parton’s Smoky Mountain Christmas Carol” on Thursday, Dec. 18, at 7:30 p.m. This is a heartwarming musical featuring music and lyrics by 11-time Grammy winner Dolly Parton and book by David H. Bell, adapted by Bell, Paul T. Couch and Curt Wollan. 

Set in the 1930s in the Smoky Mountains of East Tennessee, this unforgettable production and amazing cast imagines Ebenezer Scrooge as the owner of a mining company town, where his callous greed blinds him to the joys and gifts of the season.

“This musical combines the legendary Christmas story that features all the classic characters with Dolly Parton’s exceptional songwriting,” Director of the Cole Auditorium Joey Bennett said. “This is a holiday show you and your family won’t want to miss.”

Ticket prices: $35 to $50

High-energy Family Fun

Kick off the new year being blown away by one dazzling circus feat after another at Cirque-tacular: Shimmer on Saturday, Jan. 31, at 3 p.m. This high-energy troupe of acrobats, aerialists and circus specialty artists will perform mind-boggling feats of artistry and athleticism. Over the last decade, the cast has given thousands of aerial and ground acrobatic performances throughout the world.

Ticket prices: $20 to $30

Ready for Some Laughs?

Heather Land busted on the comedy scene in 2017 when her take on everyday life went viral with her hilariously relatable “I Ain’t Doin It” videos. She quickly became “viral” with over 400 million video views on YouTube. She will be bringing her stand-up comedy routine to the Cole Auditorium on Friday, Feb. 6, at 7:30 p.m. She delights audiences everywhere with a mix of sarcastic candor and southern sass. Nothing is off limits as she shares everything from failed diets to failed relationships.

Ticket prices: $25 to $35

More Than a Tribute Show

The final show of the Performing Arts Series on Tuesday, April 14, at 7:30 p.m. is not your average tribute show. “Yesterday and Today: The Interactive Beatles Experience” is an unforgettable journey that places the audience in the heart of the experience. Created by brothers Billy, Matthew and Ryan McGuigan, the show lets the audience choose the entire setlist. Before each performance, audience members fill out request cards with their favorite Beatles song and the reason behind their choice. Minutes before showtime, these cards are collected, and a unique setlist is crafted based on the audience’s selections.

Throughout the performance, the McGuigan brothers and their band blend the audience’s personal stories with their own memories of growing up listening to The Beatles, creating a one-of-a-kind show that changes with every performance.

Ticket prices: $25 to $40

For More Information

Tickets for the 2025-2026 Performing Arts Series are on sale now, but online ticket sales do not start until Sept. 29. Show tickets will be sold as a package or individually. Purchasers will be assigned a seat location when tickets are purchased.

Season tickets range in price from $110 to $160 each. Season ticket holders save anywhere from $35 to $50. Individual show tickets range from $20 to $55 and vary per show and seating section. All prices include sales taxes. Online sales surcharges not included.

Groups of 10 or more save 20% on individual show tickets.

Tickets can be purchased at the Cole Auditorium Box Office located on the Hamlet Campus of RichmondCC or by calling (910) 410-1691. The Box Office is open Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Friday from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

For more information, call the Box Office at (910) 410-1691. The Cole Auditorium is located on the Hamlet Campus of Richmond Community College.