Phil Stacey life and biography

Phil Stacey is an American singer who first gained national attention on season 6 of the television talent show American Idol. After being eliminated from the competition on May 2, 2007, he was signed to a recording contract with Lyric Street Records. His debut single, "If You Didn't Love Me", was released to radio in early 2008 as the lead-off to his self-titled debut album, which was issued April 29, 2008 on Lyric Street. Stacey's second album, Into the Light, was released on August 25, 2009 via Reunion Records.

Both his grandfathers were pastors, and Stacey grew up in Kentucky, Ohio and Kansas as his father continued the family's tradition in the ministry. Stacey grew up singing in church, learning first from his mother and his brother and sister and wrote his first songs at age 6.

He later played gigs and entered contests, first with his siblings as the Stacey Trio and then on his own, eventually winning a state-level competition in Kansas. He attended Lee University in Cleveland, Tenn., where he was successful in his audition for the school's prestigious choir, the Lee Singers. While attending college, he helped support himself financially by getting a job in a recording studio, where he learned the basics of making records.

He married his wife, Kendra, in 1998. After graduating from college, the couple moved to Denver, where he served as a music minister. After the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks in 2001, Stacey joined the U.S. Navy and was stationed in Virginia and later in Jacksonville, Fla., where he became the lead vocalist for the Navy Band Southeast. Performing songs popularized by Garth Brooks, George Strait, Tim McGraw and others, he was encouraged by friends to audition for American Idol.

The exposure on American Idol moved Stacey closer to his dream of a career in country music. After performing in 55 cities in 2007 during the American Idol, he completed his four-year hitch in the Navy. Upon receiving his honorable discharge, he immediately re-enlisted in the Naval Reserves. With the Navy's support of his musical career, he moved his family to Nashville and signed with Lyric Street Records, label home of Rascal Flatts, among others.

Set for April 29, Stacey's debut CD was produced by Wayne Kirkpatrick, who has produced projects for Little Big Town. The first single, "If You Didn't Love Me," was written by Wendell Mobley, Jason Sellers and Rascal Flatts lead vocalist Gary LeVox.

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