The De-Idolizing of Phil Stacey
Country stars always talk about paying their dues, playing for tip jars night after night in Nashville’s honkytonks. But to go country after you’ve done American Idol, you have to work that much harder to break on through to the other side.
That’s what former AI contestant Phil Stacey’s up to now: courting county radio, one conference room at a time. If you thought it was hard to shine when you sang for 18,000 fans in an arena, try doing it in a 20’ x 20’ meeting room at 10 a.m. He has the vocal chops and the easy charm to pull it off, but it ain’t easy singing to an industry crowd. Actually, "crowd" is the wrong word. More like 20 employees sitting around a conference table with bagels and coffee. It couldn’t possibly be as nerve-wracking as auditioning for Simon, Paula and Randy. Still, it is an audition of sorts. Just more like a try-out for country radio success.
Yesterday at Chicago’s US99, Stacey sang without a mic, with just two guys on acoustic guitar backing him. First came his debut single, "If You Didn’t Love Me," which was co-written by Rascal Flatts’ Gary LeVox, so it’s sure to be a hit. "No Way Around a River" showed off the gritty voice we came to love during last season’s AI. And the last song of his mini-set was Keith Urban’s "Where the Blacktop Ends." While Stacey spent his Idol days singing more old school R&B, he says, "country is part of who I am," because of the Deep South bluegrass he loved as a kid. "I had to do country," he said. "I’d have been a poseur if I’d done rock."
It’s hard to imagine a tougher audience that Simon Cowell. But now that Stacey’s made it past Cowell and a few country radio conference rooms, I’m guessing he can make it anywhere.
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Melissa says:
This is a great blog.
I love Phil’s single and can’t wait for the album. I’ve been a Philnatic since top 24 week of AI last season. I’m so glad he chose country. He has the heart and the voice for it.
B.W. LaRoy says:
The labels will take the bagels and booze, but I’d bet the bottom line is this…there ain’t no room on da radio baby…unless dude can figure out a way to be a blonde chick who appeals to seven year old blonde chicks. I’m of the belief that Simon just gets one…Carrie-okee Underwooo…but that doesn’t mean it’s the end of the talent show…it just means Nashville pretty much knows better.
CFPhilfan says:
I can’t say it better than Melissa. Phil is well suited for country, and I can’t wait to see how far he goes.
carol says:
I’m a great fan of Phil’s and I couldn’t agree with you more about it being harder to impress a roomfull of radio staff who have lots of other things to do. Phil is one of the few people who can carry off a song without much backup and make it sound better than the studio release. I hope he gets lots of air time. He’s worthy of it.
Aleecia says:
I enjoyed reading your blog :) I like how you pointed out it’s been an uphill struggle, and Phil’s doing well. Very well written.
Vicki says:
GREAT Blog. I am a major Phil Stacey Phan. I think he could sing the phone book and make it sound super. I am very excited about his new single and the career this young man has ahead of him. He is great with people and has a tremendous voice. They were playing his song on the radio station where I live a few times here and there and then he came to the station and they met him in person and fell in Love with the guy. Now they play it everyday most times at least 3 times a day. They want to see Phil make it and I think that is GREAT!!!!
American Idol Headlines for 2/01/08 says:
[...] CMT [...]
Kellie says:
I haven’t heard this song on the radio & it’s not on iTunes!!! Come on… let’s get this going!!
Shirley says:
Every since I first saw Phil, he went straight to my heart. Then I heard him sing and man does he have a great voice. I was so excited to see his video on CMT and I watch every moment I can, to see if he will be on. I am a bit disappointed that I have not heard him on the radio. Come on guys…give Phil some air time.