Phil Stacey on American Idol

Phil Stacey attends the 2008 CMT Music Awards on April 14, 2008, in Nashville. (Photo by Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images)

Hello! My name is Phil Stacey and I would like to welcome you to my blog. If you are a fan of American Idol, you have come to the right place.

During the course of this season, I will be your eyes behind the curtain, sharing inside information that only a former contestant can see. Many of you may remember me as the bald guy on Sanjaya’s season, or the Navy man who missed his daughter’s birth when he auditioned. Both are true.

Either way, if I am to convince you that I am an expert on the subject, allow me to give you a little background information on myself.

I was a finalist on American Idol Season 6. I was voted off the show on Top 5 week along with my friend, Chris Richardson.  After participating in the Idols Live Tour ‘07, I signed with Disney’s Lyric Street Records and recorded a country album that debuted at No. 8 on Billboard’s country chart.

I have since toured the nation about 18 times, opening for some of the biggest names in country music. I have also performed on stages that I have dreamed of since childhood, including Carnegie Hall and the Grand Ole Opry.

I am even now working on a follow-up record that will be released toward the middle of 2009.

I wanted to write this feature to give you the fans a closer glimpse into the phenomenon that is American Idol. After all, I have been a fan myself since watching Kelly Clarkson nail her rendition of Aretha Franklin’s Respect during Season 1.

In some ways, being an Idol finalist made me feel like one of Willy Wonka’s golden ticket recipients. There were so many amazing things to see, so much of the story yet untold. And I got to see it all!

So be sure and tune in this week for my first installment. I’ll go into detail about the audition process and tell you which contestants to be watching for in the coming episodes. I’ll also give you the key to success in the first rounds of auditions and how I made it through to Hollywood.

Going through this season with you will be an adventure, so make sure and let all of your friends who are Idol fans know that we will be taking this journey together. Until then, be safe.

If you have any questions you would like to ask, e-mail them to me. Also, check out my MySpace page.