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Phil Stacey: Giving Back, Saying Thanks

Author: Mindy Wood
Issue: 2008 August

Former Shawnee resident and American Idol contestant Phil Stacey has had a busy year since his last appearance on one of the hottest shows in America. Last year, people from Shawnee and all across America cheered him on until his final moment, and he came to thank us.

Recently, Stacey held a benefit concert in OBU’s Raley Chapel for Shawnee Rescue Mission and Family Promise, two organizations helping families get back on their feet. The purpose of these organizations is something that Stacey is excited about, as he demonstrated throughout the concert.

Mark McIntosh, pastor of Evangelistic Center Church and coordinator of the concert, and father-in-law to Stacey eagerly claims, “Without OBU’s generosity in hosting the event it wouldn’t have been possible. The funds will mean that SRM will be able to finally begin construction on their new building and this will help boost Family Promise general funding to meet their goals.”

Rev. McIntosh says the fundraiser was his daughter Kendra’s idea. “It’s really their way of saying thanks for all the support he received from the community.”

“Folks may have come out because I was on American Idol,” says Phil, “or because they like the music I’ve put out; but maybe some of them didn’t know about these organizations, and hopefully it’s making them aware of something they can support with their finances, their thoughts and their prayers.”

Since his last appearance on American Idol, Stacey’s career has been on the move. “It’s been a crazy year. I was on AI and got voted off and signed a contract with Lyric Street Records, then put out an album which made the top ten on the Billboard country charts.” In addition to this early achievement, he has also filmed a music video to his single “If You Didn’t Love Me,” and has received good reviews for the finished product.

In April, Phil performed in the Billy Graham Festival in Tennessee, where he became acquainted with a staff that hopes to work with him even more. “We’ve talked about doing some projects in the future as well. I love what they do and where they’re going so I enjoy being a part of the programs that they put on.”

Faith is a central part of Stacey’s life. He was raised in church, his father and both his grandfathers are pastors, and he has carried on the spiritual tradition by marrying Kendra McIntosh, daughter of above-mentioned Shawnee pastors Mark and Tammy McIntosh.

“Pretty much every lesson I learned in life had a Bible verse attached to it. I am a Christian, so obviously there are a lot of Christian-oriented lyrics [on the album] and maybe there’s an audience listening that wouldn’t be exposed to it otherwise.”

Phil’s genre is definitely classified as country, but he says that his influences give his music a different sound. “It’s got a different flair because it’s not traditional country. You hear the electric guitar, the banjo [together] I think is beautiful. You also hear a little rock edge, but then I’ve been traveling with the Navy Rock band for the last five years! If I cut that out of my music then I wouldn’t be entirely honest about my influences.”

His early influences include country music and the hymns he sang with his parents in church. He began performing in a trio with his brother and sister at age 13, progressed to a couple of bands through high school and finally joined a signing group that took him as far as China and South Africa.

Stacey says at this point, “My plans for the future are to try to be a good husband, a good father. In some capacity, I’ll probably continue involvement with the military. As far as entertainment is concerned, it’s a crazy business; you can set goals, but it’s dependent on the situation and the season changes in this business.”

Whatever the changes bring, Phil says his wife is his biggest support. “When I heard the song, ‘If you didn’t love me I couldn’t do this,’ I immediately connected with it because it was exactly what I wanted to say to her. She’s been the driving force behind everything good I’ve gone after. After finishing college, she supported my going into the Navy and going on AI, in spite of missing a child’s birth to do so. She’s the one who encouraged me to do that. These were the words I wanted to say to her.”

Phil and his wife Kendra live in Nashville, Tennessee with their two children. His self-titled album is now available in stores.