American Idol News

January 4, 2008 - American Idol Season 6 finalist Phil Stacey will release his debut single "If You Didn’t Love Me" to country radio this coming Monday, January 7. With his debut album scheduled for an April 2008 release, Phil’s single is produced by Wayne Kirkpatrick (Little Big Town) and written by Wendell Mobley, Jason Sellers, and Rascal Flatts' Gary LeVox.

"I'm so excited to have found this song and that it'll be my very first single," said Phil. "The lyrics of the song mean a lot to me because it's a great love song that everyone can relate to and I feel like it tells the story of my marriage. I've been blessed with an amazingly supportive wife [Kendra] and with all the things we've been through together - whether it was in college, the military or even on American Idol - having her there made everything so much easier and put joy into everything we went through. I don't know where I'd be today without her."

Phil began his singing career in his father's church in Fairfield, Ohio before going on to study vocal performance at Lee University in Cleveland, Tennessee. In 2003, Phil enlisted in the United States Navy where he served as a Musician Third Class at Navy Band Southeast in Jacksonville, Florida.

As American Idol fans know, Phil came to national attention when he took the stage as a finalist during Season 6. His renditions of country hits "Where the Blacktop Ends," "The Change" and "I Need You" were among his most memorable of the season. Fittingly, Phil’s first studio album has him performing within the genre where the judges thought he excelled on the Idol stage. Joining his fellow Season 6 finalists, Phil spent this past summer touring with American Idols Live!, before moving to Nashville with his wife Kendra and their two daughters, one of whom was famously born during Season 6 auditions.

Be on the lookout for Phil’s first single early next week and upcoming debut album later this year! Through an interesting twist of fate, Phil becomes label mates with fellow Idol alumni Josh Gracin and Bucky Covington, who was recently recognized for his achievements in 2007, by joining the two accomplished artists on Lyric Street Records. Phil recently made an appearance at the Gator Bowl and looks like he will be keeping busy in 2008!

Oh man, I really wanna hear a new Phil Stacey song!

Isn't it a bit early for a first single, though? His album doesn't come out till April..

It's the 7th today...anybody hear Phil's first single??

I agree it seems a bit early with the album due out in April.

Very excited for him, can't wait for his CD!

Haven't heard it yet...hopefully it will be online soon.

Bucky's first single was released in January last year and his album didn't come out until April.

Oooh can't wait to hear it, I love Phil such a sweetheart!

Listen to Phil's single here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CBYxfN2CRQg

I love it!!!

Thanks!! Phil has a REALLY great voice!

oh wow, I'm so excited! Going there now to listen!

I think he does too. He was my pick last season, with Melinda a close second.

I really like the song!! Phil did a great job...love, love this man's voice!

Still listening to Phil's first single...can't help myself, hehe! I have to say, he really emotes when he sings. He really stirred up my emotions. :awe: His song is sweet and sexy at the same time. I'm really looking forward to more from him! I sound like a Philnatic, lol!

One thing I would have liked is at some point in the song to hear an acoustic sound (like when they stop playing most of the instruments and you just hear the singer and the drums or some other instrument). It would really highlight Phil's beautiful voice.

eta 5 posts in a row...sorry :blush: :P Hearing music from Phil has me so excited!!

Ahh I like it!

Haha...I guess you really like Phil's voice, Mel. I do too. he and Melinda were my favorites. This song should be a hit on the country charts.

And that's how Where You Are is...very unplugged, not overproduced in the least. Usually it's just him and his guitar or the piano, and honestly, if you are a great singer that's all you need. It's all he needed.

LOL I'm really not much of a country person, but I guess he can be an exception!

Quote: ElliottisTrueBlue,Jan 9 2008, 04:23 PM Usually it's just him and his guitar or the piano, and honestly, if you are a great singer that's all you need. It's all he needed.

I agree. He is a great singer, one that does not need much accompaniment. I would prefer to hear him with less. At times on the song, as much as I like it, I find myself a little frustrated because the music gets in the way of really hearing his voice. Elliott is the same way, his live accoustic versions are beautiful, and to me, the best way to hear him.

Quote: LOL I'm really not much of a country person, but I guess he can be an exception!

It will be the same for me, as I'm not a big country music fan either, but Phil will definitely be an exception. :)

When will he be able to offer his "Where You Are" Cd again? I hope he will be able to do this sometime in the future.

He should be able to offer it now I would think.. maybe he just doesn't want to.

That's true...if so, I hope he decides to release it again sometime in the future.

I'm going to send him a message asking where you guys can get it because it's really good.

This has probably been posted before, but I love this song by Phil Stacey. He is very talented. Just him and the piano...wow. Was this during the ai tour last summer?

Phil Stacey Sings Old Glory

You know, from what I've heard from him on ai and on youtube, I think it must be just fantastic. His voice to me is absolutely beautiful....a raw, very human quality (as opposed to a manufactured in-studio perfection) ...and a beautiful tone...it is very moving. Kinda hard to describe really.

ETB, I don't know how to send him a message, so thanks for doing that!

^^I know isn't he fantastic? I really hope that his debut showcases that and they let him show his talent as a singer/songwriter. However I don't have to worry about him sounding like Rascal Flatts...he definately avoids that nasally twang that Gary LeVox seems unable to sing without :eww:

I'm friends with him on myspace so I just sent him a message via comment about friends of mine who would like to know if its being sold.

Hehehehehe...this makes me smile. I hardly watched last season but what I did see (or hear) thought Phil probably had the best recording voice of the bunch. He was overlooked compared to the flashier contestants with the fancier styles (much like Elliott). It sounds very good.

oh yes - I really want to hear it!

Too bad he probably won't respond.

Don't worry, I'll find a way

:beg:

ETB :rocker:

If I would I would just send ya'll the files. I don't like doing it, but unless it's being sold somewhere...

^^yeah I know what you mean. I would much rather buy it and support him, but where on earth are we supposed to buy it?! I really wanna hear this!

Maybe we should all write him :P

From AI Website...
January 18, 2008 -
Phil Stacey fans will be thrilled to hear the latest news on his front. He will release his debut CD on Tuesday, April 15, 2008! The album is produced by Grammy Award winner Wayne Kirkpatrick.

Phil's debut CD will include his first single, "If You Didn't Love Me," which was just released to country radio last week. The song was written by Wendell Mobley, Jason Sellers and Rascal Flatts' Gary LeVox.

In 2007, Phil came to national attention when he performed for an average 30 million viewers for eleven weeks during his competition on the sixth season of American Idol. His renditions of the country hits "Where The Blacktop Ends," "The Change" and "I Need You" were among his most praised performances of the season. Following his time on American Idol, Phil toured with his fellow contestants over the summer on a capacity crowd 55-city tour. After that, he moved to Nashville with wife Kendra and their two daughters to pursue his country music career.