“God is so funny,” Stacey Woodson said with a laugh while explaining how a sudden change in weather during a family vacation unexpectedly opened the door for this interview. Moments like that, he believes, are reminders that life rarely unfolds according to personal plans alone.
When God orders your steps,” he said, “you listen.”
Woodson first moved to Nashville in 1995 to work with Amy Grant’s team, arriving with dreams centered almost entirely around the entertainment industry.
“I thought my gifts were all in music,” he explained.
And music certainly became a major part of his story.
Over the years, Woodson has built an impressive career as a singer, songwriter, producer, musician, actor, director, motivational speaker, and television host. His creative journey even led him to work alongside legendary entertainment manager Frank DiLeo, who represented icons including Michael Jackson and Prince. Today, he continues creating music and is currently preparing to release a new album.
But somewhere along the way, his mission grew larger than entertainment alone.
That mission eventually became Rising Angel® ~ The Movement, a community-focused outreach initiative centered around what Woodson calls simple acts of kindness in our community.
The concept sounds simple, but the impact has reached far beyond Middle Tennessee through television features, community partnerships, giveaways, and outreach efforts designed to uplift people during difficult seasons of life.
For Woodson, kindness is not limited by differences in background, opinions, or beliefs.
“I can work with people I don’t agree with,” he said.
That perspective, he explained, came directly from watching his father.
“I saw my father do this for years,” he said.
The heart behind Rising Angel has now reached audiences through multiple television platforms, including FOX TV Nashville, where he hosted segments called “Simple Acts of Kindness.” The series highlighted encouraging stories, giveaways, and moments of compassion throughout local communities.
One especially meaningful part of the experience was getting his family involved.
Woodson and his wife have raised three children, all of whom have inherited creative gifts and a love for entertainment. His two sons even helped film portions of “Simple Acts of Kindness” during the holiday season.
And in a moment that clearly makes him smile, his youngest son has already started following in his father’s musical footsteps by performing Michael Jackson impersonations. This connection has deep roots in Woodson’s story.
One of the most surreal moments in Woodson’s career came during the height of his music journey, when an opportunity emerged connected to one of the biggest names in entertainment history.
Through industry relationships developed over the years, including his connection with legendary manager Frank DiLeo, Woodson was positioned for an opportunity related to Michael Jackson’s planned comeback tour “This Is It.”
At the time, he was preparing for what could have become a life-changing moment as part of the tour’s opening entertainment plans. But before the concerts could begin, the world was stunned by Michael Jackson’s sudden death in 2009.
Though the opportunity never materialized the way anyone expected, Woodson does not speak about it with bitterness or regret. Instead, he views it as another example of how God can redirect a person’s path toward a greater purpose.
While many artists spend their lives chasing larger stages, Woodson gradually found himself more interested in using entertainment to encourage and uplift people. His production companies — Stacey Woodson Productions and PSL Productions — now support a wide variety of secular and faith-based music, television, film, marketing, and commercial projects.
Over the years, his work has included acting and singing roles in the Ted Turner film “Gods and Generals,” in which he appeared alongside Robert Duvall, Jeff Daniels, Stephen Lang, and Bruce Boxleitner.
He also contributed to “One Less Tear,” a music project created to raise awareness and support for cancer research. The project included collaborations with artists and entertainers such as Olivia Newton-John, Vince Neil, Mark Slaughter, and members of 38 Special.
Looking back, Woodson sees every chapter — the music industry, television, acting, ministry, and outreach — as connected pieces of the same calling. His goal was always showing up for folks with an open heart — no conditions, just action.
Despite the growing television exposure, music projects, and public attention, Woodson repeatedly returns to the same foundation — faith, family, and his Rising Angel team.
Before ending the conversation, he reflected on what matters most to him.
“How much I adore my wife,” he said. “My granddaughter — I definitely don’t want to leave her out. This child has me wrapped around her hand, not her finger. Also, my wife and I are very blessed to partner with Tony Watson from Lebanon and the team from Auto Pro Nashville in my community outreach efforts.” GN
