Phil Stacey's defining moment on American Idol came during Country Week, well into the competition. “Country Week was the first one that had anything to do with my background," he says. "It was my chance to sing music I could really relate to, that drew on who I am and what I'd grown up around.

"Phil’s path toward a country music career began in a childhood molded by two equally strong influences. The first was the ministry, which had shaped both sides of his family for generations. The other was music.

Phil grew up singing in church and later became a member of the prestigious Lee Singers.Intending to pursue a career in music after graduating from college, Phil was compelled to join the Navy after the attacks of September 11.

While stationed in Jacksonville, FL as lead singer of the Navy Band Southeast, he performed music by Garth Brooks, George Strait, Tim McGraw, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye and James Taylor, a rounding out of tastes that served him well when he finally hit Idol.

Then, with Country Week, it all came full circle. "Randy said, 'Dude, you're gonna have a big career in country,' and that was the night even Simon agreed," he says. "And I was thinking, 'Thank God, because this is me.

I'm finally getting to do something I love to do.'"After the 55-city Idol tour wrapped in September 2007, Phil immediately re-enlisted in the Naval Reserves. He moved his family to Nashville, signed with Lyric Street Records, and began recording his debut album with producer Wayne Kirkpatrick.

The music they’ve recorded will give listeners a look at a man who comes into his own with a hard-won maturity and self-knowledge. "I feel my job as a singer," he says, "is part of my job as a human being.

I'm supposed to be touching other people's lives, doing the best I can to be a positive force in the world."