It started last year, during the summer. I went to the doctor and they found out it was kidney stones, so they had surgery done to help get those out and to pass them... More just kept coming in. So I had all together before the last show... I had like five surgeries.

On November 6 2012 "Where We Came From" was released in advance of the album release as a free download on pre-order and for sale. The album was certified Gold by RIAA in January 2013. He described his music as "jazz rock alternative sound".

He won the eleventh season of American Idol on May 23 2012. Phillip LaDon Phillips Jr. His debut album The World from the Side of the Moon was released on November 19 2012.