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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