Happy birthday to season three winning Idol, the wonderfully talented Fantasia!

With no formal musical training, Fantasia’s exposure to music began at her childhood church where she was inspired to sing whenever possible and where she developed her dream. In 2004, with only one public performance to her credit, Fantasia auditioned in Atlanta for season three of American Idol. The rest is history.

With crowd favorites like Tina Turner’s “Proud Mary” and “Summertime” from “Porgy and Bess,” Fantasia would earn millions of votes and garner some of the highest praise by an Idol. Randy Jackson called “Summertime” the best performance ever in Idol history and Simon Cowell went so far as to proclaim her the best contestant to ever compete in any contest.

Fantasia’s Idol victory over runner-up Diana DeGarmo was merely the start to her career. In June, 2004 she released “I Believe” which shot to number one on the Billboard 200 pop album chart. The thirteen-track album, “Free Yourself” was released shortly thereafter and received four Grammy Awards. Later, Fantasia starred in the Broadway musical, “The Color Purple.” Her sophomore album, “Fantasia" garnered three Grammy nominations and recently, she was cast in the movie version of the musical “The Color Purple.”

Fantasia’s life experience has been so inspiring and interesting that her memoirs, “Life Is Not A Fairy Tale” was a New York Times bestseller and the film version was watched by over 19 million viewers. Fantasia is currently working on her third album and preparing for the upcoming film. Fantasia’s life has been an exciting journey of dreaming big and working hard.

Last year, we had the chance for an exclusive chat with Fantasia about starring in “The Color Purple” and her latest album. Check it out!

We wish you a very happy birthday Fantasia!

Just in time for the 4^th of July holiday, Phil Stacey is releasing his patriotic song “Old Glory” to country radio. Written while he was still serving active in the US Navy, Phil has widely sung “Old Glory” in public, including, recently, at the Grand Ole Opry.

“The song always gets a great reaction and we’ve fielded a lot of calls from our friends in radio asking where they can get the song,” says Lyric Street VP Promotion Kevin Herring.

“I’m proud to have the chance to record this song,” says Phil. “I wrote it several years ago while I was still in the Navy and it means a lot to get to share it with all the country music fans to honor our service members.” 

Phil Stacey earned the admiration of millions as a finalist on American Idol. He wowed us with his unforgettable performance of “Blaze of Glory” as well as such country hits as “Where The Sidewalk Ends” and “I Need You.” americanidol.com caught up with Phil last summer when he was touring and had just released the single, “If You Didn’t Love Me.” Check out what he had to say!

(AP) - This Sept. 19, 2006 file picture shows singer Ruben Studdard in New York. (AP Photo/Jim Cooper, file)

Season Two Idol Ruben Studdard who wooed America with his deep and soulful voice obtained a marriage license this week to wed fiancée Surata Zuri McCants. "The velvet teddy bear," as fans endearingly refer to him, filled out the paperwork with Surata in Columbiana, Alabama. This has been an exciting year for Ruben as he's working on his fourth CD since show's end, performed at this year's Finale and is now marrying. We congratulate Ruben and Surata and wish them the very best!

(AP) - From Left to Right Gospel Dream 2008 Finalists: John McKoy of Monroe NC; Melinda Watts from Fair Oaks, CA; Gospel Dream 2008 Host Matthew West; and Kymm Lowery of Beach Park, IL. McKoy, Watts and Lowery are the three final contestants in Gospel Music Channel television network's American Idol(R)-inspired talent search series Gospel Dream 2008. The winner will be announced Sunday night, June 29 at 9:00 pm ET. (PRNewsFoto/Gospel Music Channel)

(Reuters) - Singer Clay Aiken arrives at the 2006 American Music Awards on November 21, 2006 in Los Angeles. (Lucy Nicholson/Reuters)

(Reuters) - 'American Idol' winner Jordin Sparks arrives at the 2008 BET Awards in Los Angeles June 24, 2008. (Fred Prouser/Reuters)

(AP) - This Sept. 19, 2006 file picture shows singer Ruben Studdard in New York. Studdard has gotten one step closer to tying the knot. Court records show the 29-year-old Birmingham native and 2003 American Idol winner and 30-year-old Surata Zuri McCants got a marriage license just before noon Monday, June 23, 2008 in Shelby County. (AP Photo/Jim Cooper)

Nashville, TN- Country music’s biggest stars including three Idol finalists have assembled for the upcoming Country Sings Disney project, in stores Tuesday, July 8. The fifteen song collection features classic and contemporary Disney tracks performed by today’s favorite country stars, including former Idols, Bucky Covington, Josh Gracin, and Phil Stacey. Bucky Covington sings "You'll Be In My Heart" and Phil Stacey performs "Can You Feel The Love Tonight" while Josh Gracin sings "When I See An Elephant Fly." Take another look at Bucky's Transformation Gallery!