I caught up with Phil Stacey at the after party Sunday night. He looked tired, but happy as he held his sweet baby girl, McKayla. She’s the baby who was born during Phil’s audition in front of the judges in Memphis. Backstory baby? Heh. But is she cute or what? I asked him if the end of the tour was bittersweet for him, and he said, “No, it’s sweet, I know that I’ll be keeping in touch with everyone.” Phil reminded me that he’s moving to Nashville, TN, as is Chris Sligh. Melinda Doolittle is already there, of course.
The big news: Phil told me that he “has signed with a major label, ” and that he will be making an announcement soon on his My Space. Phil mentioned that he has signed on with the same Christian management company as Chris Sligh. Phil says the album will be released sometime next April.
Phil and his family were traveling right back to Jacksonville, FL the next morning. He had to report back to the Navy on Monday! Yikes.
Those of you who saw the show saw Phil really come into his own during the tour. His big voice fills a big arena with no problem, and his years on the road with the Navy band are evident–he knows how to connect with a large audience. He is a completely different performer live than he was on television where he seemed uncomfortable and stiff, particularly at the beginning of the competition.
Fun fact: His wife Kendra sat right next to Sarah and I during the first half of the show holding McKayla on her lap…
