Singer and songwriter Phil Stacey paid Lee University a visit Thursday, Feb. 21 during the morning chapel service. He started the performance off with a more intimate worship time accompanied by his acoustic guitar. Stacey began by leading everyone in worship favorites, “Open the Eyes of My Heart” and “Holy is the Lord.”

Before auditioning for American Idol’s sixth season, Phil Stacey graduated from Lee University in 2002 then spent several years in the navy. He describes his ironic rise to fame as an unplanned series of events. After having to turn down a friend when asked to be the best man at a wedding, Phil found himself in a comical bargain.
“[My friend] told me the only way he’d forgive me [would be] if I auditioned for American Idol.”

Phil Stacey’s self-titled debut album is set to hit stores April 29. The 11 track project is predominately country, fused with some pop and rock influences.

“I think that if I’m going to stay true to my roots…I’m going to do country music. That’s everything that I want to sing about. [Country music has] basically been a part of who I am. I was born in Kentucky,” said Stacey in an interview with the press.

The former American Idol contestant is signed to Lyric Street Records, a part of Disney Music Group and an arm of Walt Disney Studios. His album features the hit single “If You Didn’t Love Me,” which he dedicated to his wife Kendra during his Thursday morning concert.

As a recent Lee alumnus, Stacey was more than willing to perform for the current students of the University.

“Coming back to Lee University is a thrill for me. I love Lee University. I absolutely enjoyed my time here,” said Stacey, as he rattled off many other names of music industry personalities who also came from Lee. “I think that there’s an anointing on this place from God. I believe that God has raised people up through this university to go out into the entertainment industry, not necessarily to preach from a pulpit at everybody but to be a Christian example to the public eye.”