“Given the recent past, it’s understandable that people are quick to ask me about the musical side of what I do,” says Stacey, who performed for an average of 30 million viewers a week, for the 11 weeks he competed on American Idol. “I enjoy talking about the music, too. In fact, I love it. But the biggest hope I have is that what I do will help draw people to God--whether that's through the songs I write, how I conduct myself on stage, or more importantly, the ways I relate to other people. Everything I did with American Idol has readied me for this platform and this album. This is where I feel at home and I can’t wait for people to hear these songs.”

With this in mind, it should come as no surprise that Stacey--the son of a pastor, grandson of two pastors, and a one-time music minister himself--celebrates faith and family on Into the Light as he sings passionately about an unshakable and loving God. With legendary Christian music producer Brown Bannister (Amy Grant, Mandisa, Steven Curtis Chapman) at the helm, Into the Light artfully taps Stacey’s longtime love for the church and its most modern musical expressions.

“There are songs on the project that will encourage and others that will challenge. Some that I’ve written and others that I heard and just had to record, including one by one of my favorite artists, Rich Mullins, called ‘Hard to Get’,” adds Stacey.

Bannister notes, “Working with Phil was such a gift. It’s been a long time since I’ve produced someone with his abilities as a writer and vocalist. This distinctive, powerful voice is a breath of fresh air in this market.”

During his college years, Stacey attended Lee University, an evangelical Christian college in Cleveland, Tenn., widely renowned for its own Lee Singers Choir. On his way to attaining a degree in music, Stacey landed a spot singing with the exclusive group, and its even more exclusive touring group, Second Edition.

“I’m proud to see Phil’s talents focused on this new record. Millions of Americans heard his amazing voice on American Idol, but now they’ll get to experience what he did when he sang with the Lee University Singers,” shares Walt Mauldin, D.M.A. and Vice President for Student Life at Lee University. “People everywhere will hear his heartfelt passion for God and his family. Phil is such a talented person, and we know the best is yet to come.”

Stacey began soaking up a wide variety of music beyond the country and gospel he’d grown up listening to in Kentucky. Before long, his favorite artists ranged from the legendary Rich Mullins to Christian hard band Bloodgood. After college, he and his wife Kendra moved to Denver where he took a job as a music minister.

Like many Americans, the events of September 11, 2001 prompted Stacey to re-evaluate his life and priorities. He enlisted in the Navy to serve his country. “I wanted to support the effort against terror,” he says. “I was always proud of my dad, who was a veteran and fought in Vietnam.” Thus during the three months he was part of the American Idol broadcasts, this husband, and father of two, became known for his likable character, family-man persona and ardent service in the Navy.

“MC3 Stacey is a valued asset to the Navy; he has a great sense of honor and commitment, not only to the Navy but his professional career and family,” offered Command Chief, YNC Mark Friend. “Great things are expected from him. We wish him nothing but success.”

About Phil Stacey:
Following Stacey’s stint on American Idol, he toured with his fellow contestants over the summer on the 55-city American Idol Tour. He has been featured on Oprah, Live with Regis & Kelly, The Tonight Show, Ellen, The Today Show, Larry King Live and Nickelodeon’s MeTV.

In 2003, Stacey enlisted in the United States Navy where he served as a Musician Third Class at Navy Band Southeast in Jacksonville, Florida. He recently completed his 4-year commitment to the U.S. Navy and is still in the Navy Reserves. Born in Harlan, KY and raised in Ohio and Kansas, Phil currently lives in Nashville with his wife Kendra and two daughters, McKayla and Chloe.