For those of you who think American Idol is th fastest way to the top of the music industry, be warned: even Idols get the axe.
Phil Stacey parted ways with his label, Lyric Street, according to the Country Standard Time. But that’s OK, because he’s signed with Christian label, Reunion. The website cites Stacey’s MySpace blog as announcing the new signing, but the blog post isn’t there any more. Maybe Stacey jumped the gun with the news?
*** UPDATE: It’s official – Phil Stacey has signed with Reunion Records, and it’s a great fit for him. Terry Hemmings, Provident’s President and CEO, saw Stacey perform at an event with Michael W. Smith and the rest is history. “Phil is a great vocalist with a friendly and approachable style,” Hemmings says in the press release. “He owned the room when he performed and I thought he’d be a great fit with our label group.” Stacey is working on a new album scheduled for a summer release. And now, back to my American Idol musing … ***
Stacey’s debut album released last April but didn’t really do much of anything. No radio hits. No major sales. Just goes to show that even with the exposure of American Idol, artists aren’t guaranteed instant success.
The music industry isn’t a popularity contest. Artists need to not only be good but relevant. They have to offer what listeners want. And let’s face it. They need that X factor that sells records. It’s hard to pinpoint what exactly that is, but when you got it, you got it. Example? Chris Daughtry. The guy went out of the contest too early, which ended up being the best thing for him, from a career standpoint.
Then again, Season 5 winner Taylor Hicks lost his contract with J Records, a division of Sony, after one release. (I saw an ad the other day promoting Hicks as Teen Angel in a touring production of “Grease.”) Season 2 winner Reuben Studdard lost his contract with the same label after two releases, eclipsed by runner up Clay Aiken in every way, commercially. Even the winners don’t always win.
In any event, Phil Stacey might be headed for a good run in the Christian music industry. I guess if mainstream doesn’t work, you go to plan B.
You can read more posts about American Idol in the Gospel Soundcheck archive
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posted January 30, 2009 at 1:48 pm
With Phil it wasn’t a matter of not making it. His album hit #8 on the country charts. What it was with Phil was comfort. He feels most comfortable when he’s singing Christian music. Phans can feel the comfort in his music when he’s singing it. An artist who sings with his heart is going to make timeless music that speaks to someone else’s heart.
posted January 30, 2009 at 4:47 pm
Thanks for the feedback, Meliss. I know his album made it up the charts, but it wasn’t a stand out, radio hit or sales wise. I’m sure the label – and Phil – agreed it wasn’t the best fit and he may find more success with a Christian label. But I’d bet money the decision to leave his label was his label’s, not his. If he was making money for them, they would have kept him. And he was definitely promoted heavily to the Christian market. I just don’t think that Idol exposure necessarily translates to $$$$, the way fans think it does. An artist still has to sell records.
Reunion is a great home for artists. They’re really concerned with artist development and spiritual growth. If the rumor is right, it would be a good place for Phil.
Joanne
host of the GS blog
posted January 30, 2009 at 8:28 pm
I am glad for that update, as it shows that there was no “jumping the gun,” like you have stated. With all due respect, for a Christian publication, this article sure feels like a judgment against a fellow believer. I thought we were supposed to rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep; not judge or criticize them. I, for one, am not going to say that this is “plan B” for Phil. Only he can answer that. I only know that he has said numerous times that he and his wife, Kendra, pray about matters. Also, he did not “get the axe.” According to an interview with Peter Elliott of the on-line publication, “Everyday Christian,” it was Phil who left his label; not his label “dropping” him, as the usual expression is ( http://everydaychristian.com/leisure/story/253/ ). The exact sentence is “He left Lyric Street, which released his first album, to join Sony’s Reunion Records to cut a contemporary Christian album.” I do not know all about the record industry or Lyric Street; but several artists on the label, who some will consider having had moderate success, are still there. They have not been dropped. Also, you may be confused as to where you have read the news: Phil is currently using myspace.com/joelphilip and not myspace.com/philstaceymusic , as the site to communicate through. The blog about him announcing it is still at the first site I mentioned. Also, USA Today’s Idol Chatter was the one through which I first found out the news, which was this past Wednesday. He has announced it through his American Idol season 8 blog he is doing, as well as his Twitter. He has not jumped the gun. Also, there were several of those closest to him that knew of his direction, but he had requested that nothing be said publicly until it was official. It is now official. Mainstream or Christian, Phil can sing the phone book, and he has proven so. He has recorded a holiday song with the Young People’s Chorus of New York City and was the one song on the show to have received the most positive reviews, to my knowledge. He has sung at Carnegie Hall, and had the honor of singing the national anthem for Senator John McCain at a rally. He has sung that anthem many times as well. Whatever music he decides to put out, he has my support and my prayers.
posted January 31, 2009 at 11:04 am
Thanks, CFPhilfan – you’re right. I didn’t get that info from the joelphillip MySpace. I looked at his PhilStaceyMusic MySpace. I never would have known to look at the other one. And I didn’t get the press release till late in the afternoon, so I went back and updated.
I didn’t mean it to be a criticism of Phil – it was just a jumping off place to muse a bit about American Idol. I’d been talking to a music fan who was complaining that singers go on the show and shoot the top of the industry, and when I saw the Phil Stacey/Reunion Records news, just a few hours after I saw that Taylor Hicks ad for “Grease” I started writing about how Idol doesn’t necessarily equal success. I guess my conversation with the other person only connected in my own head!
Sorry about that. You’re right. The post came off wrong the wrong way, and my apologies.
When I’m wrong, I’m wrong.
Joanne
host of the GS blog
posted January 31, 2009 at 11:33 am
Meliss and CFPhilfan – I want to thank you for your feedback on this post, and for calling me out for coming off as critical. I did a clarification/apology post.
http://blog.beliefnet.com/gospelsoundcheck/2009/01/i-need-to-clarify-my-phil-stac.html
I appreciate you reading and for giving me feedback!
Thanks!
Joanne
host of the GS blog