|
 Michael Johns’ debut album Hold Back My Heart is finally available in stores. A Top 10 finalist on the seventh season of “American Idol,” Johns may have been an early exit on the hit Fox show--and a surprising one, at that--but he was still able to capture some much-needed national exposure, which allowed him to record this album.
“I was glad to have been a part of ‘American Idol,’” stated Johns. “I mean, it was such a great platform and the show really gave me a new fan base. I appreciate that and I would never look down on something that helped me in so many ways. It was great being a part of the show and the [American Idol] tour. I actually started recording this album during the tour.”
Prior to appearing on the hit reality competition, Johns had been struggling in the music business. He had a few close brushes with the "big break," only to have his music go unreleased. Then, Johns auditioned for “American Idol,” and his unexpected early departure became well-known among fans of the show. His departure was one of the factors that led to the addition of the judges’ "second chance” rule.
Unlike other recording artists, Johns didn’t sign a recording contract until after his new album was complete.
“I never entertained even signing a deal with anyone until the music was complete,” said Johns, who was born in Perth, Western Australia and now resides in Los Angeles. “I had an absolute vision of what I wanted this record to sound like and I didn't want anyone looking over my shoulder and changing everything about it. I know I took a risk, but I believed in the concept and knew that if we made a great record then we could find a great label to partner with. It worked. There were a few labels that wanted the album, but Downtown Records had everything I wanted. The company had a great roster, an amazing president who has a passion for music like no one else and a young, hungry staff who loved the album. It was a perfect match.”
It was also a solo effort for Johns’ vocal talents, whose prior music attempts featured him in a band.
 “I should say I loved being in a band and getting in a room with five other guys writing songs. I mean, there's an energy that can't be described,” Johns, who was previously linked to a local Atlanta band named Film and a rock band named The Rising, stated. “However, after years and years of doing that and with three record deals that all went south, it was time for a change. You can’t keep doing something that doesn’t work. So, I got together with a great friend who just happens to love the same type of music that I wanted to do and also happens to be an amazing producer. And, besides, it's kind of hard to keep a band together as you get older because you have other priorities like marriage and kids. Therefore, this time round I wanted to do it my way.”
Since Johns has done it his way from the beginning with Hold Back My Heart, he has a main goal that he wants to achieve with the album.
“I really want it to bring the joy of soul music to as many people as it can,” Johns stated. “There hasn't really been anything that's sounded like this in a while, so I hope a whole new audience may fall in love with rock/soul music like I did. I would like people to discover the amazing Otis Redding, Sam & Dave, Sam Cooke and Joe Cocker if they have never heard them. Cocker’s Mad Dogs & Englishmen is just incredible. And now, if people like my record, I'll hopefully get to keep touring and keep making records for a long time.”
Even though this album was a solo effort, Johns didn’t hesitate to incorporate others into the project.
“I had received a call from producer/songwriter John Shanks and he said he had a song he had co-written with James Morrison,” Johns recalled. “He said that it was a song that would absolutely suit my soulful voice, and since I am a big fan of James, I was interested. Well, I heard the tune and it really spoke to me. I had to record it and I’m very happy I did.”
That song is the first single off Hold Back My Heart, “Heart on My Sleeve,” which peaked at No. 15 on Billboard’s Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks chart.
 Even though Johns is busy trying to make a name for himself outside of “American Idol,” being on the show was an experience that the former Idol contestant said he would repeat again. After all, the show did teach him some key lessons.
“I would say that if you approach the show and get into it for the right reasons and not the fame game, then go ahead, for it will prepare you for many things,” Johns said. “After all, the show has proven itself over the years as a real career builder. The show is so huge because the music industry has failed the past eight years. But, you know, people still love music as much as ever, but the music industry thinks looks and age are more important than talent. ‘American Idol’ put an end to that and introduced us to great singers we'd otherwise never know. It is the biggest platform right now, and if you stay true to yourself it can really change your life. It changed mine. And it taught me to be natural, and this carried over to my album. The album is most natural thing I've ever done. I mean, it was seriously effortless to write and record. I had great musicians, and the songs came from the sky.”
Some people struggle to find the creative process that creates the songs on their albums, and they work at it for hours, treating it like a job. These people find songwriting to be a process that they can openly describe.
“Some people can, but I can't tell you anything about the process,” stated Johns. “I mean, I just get in the room and let it flow. I try not to think about it too much for fear that the tap may stop running, and then the songs just happen. I just try to get in the mood of the song. I actually can go months on end without writing a tune. I don't press writing. Instead, I just let it come to me.”
“I think I owe it all to my musical family,” continued Johns. “Music has always been around me. My mom loved Doris Day. However, it wasn’t until I was 16 or 17 that I started showing people I could sing, starting with the musical play in school.”
 The journey started then and it is far from over. Between doing concerts, promotional tours and appearances on radio and television, Johns somehow finds the time to be both a music star and a husband to his wife of two years, interior designer Stacey Vuduris. Johns will be touring in August with fellow season seven “American Idol” contestant Brooke White, and then again in October with David Foster & Friends. Hopefully, he will pay a visit to Southern California soon.
Hold Back My Heart is now available in stores everywhere.
|