Phillip Phillips

Phillip Phillips was the winner of the US talent show 'American Idol' in 2012 and his winning song 'Home' became the best selling song ever released through the series selling more than five million copies. The accompanying album 'The World from the Side of the Moon' was also a success debuting at number one in Billboard's Rock Albums Chart eventually selling over one million copies and being certified platinum. Born in Albany, Georgia, prior to 'American Idol' he pursued a career working in the family pawn shop. He began playing guitar as a teenager listening to artists like Led Zeppelin and Jimi Hendrix but later on became influenced by musicians such as Dave Matthews and John Butler which prompted him to develop his own distinctive style. With the two singles from the album also going platinum, Phillips' entry into the music business was an impressive one and his meteoric rise to stardom demonstrated the power of the modern day reality TV talent show in influencing the careers of successful contestants.

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