2007 Finalist Phil Stacey Keeping Busy After American Idol

What does one do after being a finalist on America's favorite singing competition television show, finishing sixth out of 103,000 contestants? Phil Stacey, who was a finalist on AmericanIdol in 2007, continued to serve his country in the Navy, went on singing tours, released two albums and continued serving Jesus Christ.

Stacey believes God used him during the show, even though he may have been singing country songs, with lyrics not specifically about his faith. After one performance, which some say may have not been his best, prompting one judge to criticize him, the camera showed Phil Stacey's wife smiling at him and him smiling at her. A lady watching on television, who had been ready to get a divorce, went to Christian marriage counseling, inspired by the scene on television. The couple is now attending church, and the marriage has been restored. The lady wrote to Stacey about the incident.

Phil Stacey got text messages from pastors who were critical of a Christian being on American Idol, because of the title of the show, if nothing else. Last year's winner, Kris Allen and second runner up Danny Gokey both came from church backgrounds, however, and several previous contestants--including Mandisa and Chris Sligh--now have Christian singing careers. For his part, even though Phil Stacey is reluctant to recommend American Idol as a springboard for a Christian singing career, he and his family prayed about every step along the way and felt God guided him.

After going so far on American Idol, Phil Stacey released a self-titled country record on Lyric Street Records, which is owned by the Disney company. Stacey says that even that country record had a bunch of songs based on Bible verses. After that he released a Christian record, Into the Light, on Reunion Records, the same label that puts on records by well known Christian singer Michael W. Smith. Brown Bannister, who helped Smith and Amy Grant have so many successful records, worked with Stacey on recording the record.

Stacey said he was intimidated working with Bannister, but he noted Bannister was once a youth pastor and has the heart of a servant. The two would talk about the verses in songs and the Bible, and the former Idol contestant felt much more comfortable. Stacey has also gone on tour with Michael W. Smith.

"He's been so encouraging," Stacey says of Smith in an online article at http://www.kansascity.com. "He'd send me texts like, 'Phil, I really like this record,' which meant the world to me."

When he was on American Idol, Phil Stacey worked every day from January to October, with only Easter Sunday off. He realized, more than ever, the importance for a Christian of reading the Bible, attending church, and being around other believers. He also learned to depend every day on Christ and learned just how important it is to tell others about his faith in Jesus Christ as God's Son, Who he believes died on the cross and rose again to give a home in heaven to believers. Receiving the letter from the woman who almost got the divorce reinforced the need to always be willing to share his faith with others. Stacey also realized more than ever how he needed God's mercy every day. Stacey is a pastor's son and has been a Christian since age seven. His two grandfathers were also pastors. His pastor and his grandfathers all influenced his life and his faith greatly.

Psalm 46 is the theme for Stacey's Christian album. He believes the verse, "The Lord is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble," contains an important message for Christians, who will walk through both mountains and valleys on their way to heaven. He wants to encourage them to remember that God is still in control. A single on the album, "You're Not Shaken," has made Billboard's list of Top 20 Christian songs. It was written with the idea in mind of Psalm 23 and the words, "Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will not fear because you are with me." It was also inspired by the life of Job.

Long before he was on American Idol, Phil knew he wanted to sing for

God's glory. Even as a young boy, he sang in churches. Before becoming a pastor, Phil's father had played the trumpet and keyboards professionally. Phil learned more about the business by working in a record studio.

As a college student he sang with the Lee Singers, from his school at Lee University in Cleveland, and the even more exclusive group from the college, the more exclusive group from the college. In college he learned a lot about a lot more kinds of music than just gospel and country--the only kinds of music he knew.

After September 11, 2001, Phil joined the navy to protect his family. He became the lead vocalist of the Navy Band Southeast and sang for memorial services of those killed in action.

"I've always wanted to sing Christian music and I almost signed with a label when I graduated from college, but God had a plan for me, and God is anything but predictable," Stacey said on the Web site, www.philstacey.com. "There were times along the journey when I was wondering where in the world God was taking me. Now I see why he took me through all the turns and I'm so grateful that he did."

Citations: Former Idol Phil Stacey Goes 'Into the Light' With New Christian Album and Tour, by Rich Copley, Kansascity.com

Phil Stacey Goes 'Into the Light,' No author listed, CBN.com

Phil Stacey Bio, No author listed, Philstacey.com