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Stacey will tour with ‘Idols’

Phil Stacey will accompany the “American Idol” finalists on this year’s live concert tour, the Navy has confirmed, ending uncertainty over the singing sailor’s next assignment.

A Navy spokesman confirmed Friday that Stacey, a musician third class with the Navy Band in Jacksonville, Fla., would join the other top 9 “Idol” finalists in the series’ first scheduled concert on July 6 at the BankAtlantic Center in Sunrise, Fla, and appear in the 55 other shows nationwide.

Navy spokesman Bob Anderson told People magazine that the top brass is still making decisions about the details of Stacey’s tour gig. Will he wear his uniform? Will he put in plugs for the service? Will the Navy keep paying him, or will he take his cut from “American Idol,” or both?

“They’re working on the logistics right now,” Anderson told People.

Stacey’s next gig had been the subject of wide speculation. Although the sailor said in a May 4 phone interview with Navy Times that “things looked very promising” for him to go on the tour, The Los Angeles Times quoted unnamed sources in the Pentagon who said Stacey might be sent to entertain troops Iraq, because commanders were having trouble finding showbiz types willing to take on the risks of performing there.