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Michael Johns (singer)

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Michael Johns

Michael Johns (born Michael John Lee on October 20, 1978) is an Australian-born soul singer-songwriter and was an American Idol season 7 finalist.

Biography

Michael Johns (originally known as Michael Lee) was born in Perth, Western Australia to William (Bill) Lee and Janet Burke (married to John Burke). He is the youngest of three and has half- and step-siblings. He moved to the United States from Australia in 1998 and lived in Atlanta, Georgia for six years, performing at local venues including CJ's Landing and Tin Roof in Buckhead. Michael performed with Jeff Bramwell, Hank Barbee, Anitra Holley, Brian Wiltsey and the local band Film. He now lives in Los Angeles, California with his Texan wife, Stacey, where he performs at venues such as Genghis Cohen and the Viper Room.

At 6'3", Johns is a keen sportsman and this was his focus prior to his singing career. He won a tennis scholarship at the Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College in Tifton, Georgia.[1] He also played Australian rules football for the USAFL club, Atlanta Kookaburras.[2][3] Johns is unrelated to Michael Johns, the American business executive, former White House speechwriter and prominent conservative writer of the same name.

Career

Prior to pursuing a solo career, Michael Johns recorded a demo and released two albums with local band Film and after traveling to Los Angeles to showcase for a number of labels in 2001, he signed with Maverick Records. He then found guitarists Robb Torres and Kevin Haaland, bassist Ari Gorman and drummer Kirke Blankenship and formed a rock band called The Rising[4]. The band toured nationally[5], performed on the Rock Boat The Sharon Osbourne Show[6] and at the opening of a Los Angeles Apple Store in 2003. The latter performance resulted in the release of the Live at the Apple Store EP.

Their debut album Future Unknown was co-produced by Johns and Rick Beato and scheduled for release on September 16, 2003. Although the album was not released at that time, the band toured and a number of the tracks received airplay on national radio.[7]The album was eventually released on iTunes while Johns was a finalist on American Idol.

Johns also co-wrote and recorded a rendition of River of Life featuring Lebo Kgasapane of Soweto, South Africa (who died of AIDS at 22 after singing about her school to filmmakers but prior to Johns' release) which was used as a promotional track for the multi-award winning Ithuteng documentary.

American Idol

Overview

Michael Johns auditioned for American Idol at San Diego's Qualcomm Stadium on July 30 and July 31, 2007. 28 years old at the time of auditions, this was his first attempt and last year of eligibility. He advanced with a unanimous vote after singing Otis Redding's "I've Been Loving You Too Long", Cowell noting that he is 'like a white soul singer'. In Hollywood, he sang Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody" for his audition and received unanimous praise from the three judges. Johns claimed to be avid American Idol fan (having watched this show since the beginning[8]) and was one of the first contestants to be an expatriate to make the Top 12 (along with Carly Smithson),

Controversy

Johns' 8th place elimination 'shocker'[9] on April 10, 2008 prompted an unprecedented reaction, with angry bloggers questioning the popular program's credibility[10] amidst reports from fans of busy signals throughout the voting period[11]. Ryan Seacrest ended up in the 'hot seat'[12] over comments which gave Johns a false sense of hope, but he later apologized, blaming producer Nigel Lythgoe[13].

Performances & Results (during voting weeks)

Week # Theme Song choice Original artist Order # Result
Top 24 (12 Men) 1960s "Light My Fire" The Doors 12 Safe
Top 20 (10 Men) 1970s "Go Your Own Way" Fleetwood Mac 1 Safe
Top 16 (8 Men) 1980s "Don't You (Forget About Me)" Simple Minds 5 Safe
Top 12 Lennon/McCartney "Across the Universe" The Beatles 10 Safe
Top 11 The Beatles "A Day in the Life" The Beatles 4 Safe
Top 10 Year They Were Born "We Will Rock You"/"We Are the Champions" Queen 6 Safe
Top 9 Dolly Parton "It's All Wrong But It's All Right" Dolly Parton 9 Safe
Top 8 Inspirational Music "Dream On" Aerosmith 1 Eliminated


Post Idol

After he was eliminated on American Idol, Michael Johns made various appearances on Live with Regis and Kelly, Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Today Show, The Sauce, The Morning Show with Mike and Juliet, and Access Hollywood. He was also invited to a taping of Saturday Night Live, and to perform at a New York Hospital--The Childrens Hospital of New York Presbyterian.

During his appearance with David Foster on Access Hollywood, he sang a soft rock song, "Ain't No Sunshine" with the help and constructive criticism from Foster. Surprisingly, Foster invited Johns to play in his one-night concert, Foster & Friends to be held on May 23 at the Mandalay Hotel in Las Vegas.[14]

During The Morning Show with Mike and Juliet, Johns sang "Across The Universe" (performed during the Top 12 Beatles Week) while playing a guitar. Michael Johns also appeared in TV Guide's Idol Tonight and The Ellen DeGeneres Show performing the song "It's All Wrong But It's All Right" (performed during the Top 9 Dolly Parton week).

Johns was invited by the owners of Team Australia to attend the Long Beach Grand Prix of the 2008 IndyCar Series season on 20 April, 2008, where Will Power led them to their first victory[15].

According to published reports, Johns was asked by Dolly Parton to duet with her on an upcoming single.

Johns is reportedly receiving recording contract offers from various companies and is expecting to visit his native Australia by October 2008.

Discography

  • Film, Filmland, January 1999, Label: (unknown), 10 tracks *
  • Film, Rolling, 2001, Label: (unknown), 6 tracks *
  • The Rising, Future Unknown, 16 September 2003, Label: Maverick, 11 tracks *
  • The Rising, Live at the Apple Store, 26 August 2003, Label: Maverick, 5 tracks *
  • Michael Johns, Michael Johns, 2007, Label: Beverly Martel, 10 tracks *[16]

References

  1. ^ Ho, Rodney (2008-02-15). "Michael Johns interview (updated)". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Access Atlanta.
  2. ^ Sean (2008-02-18). "Could a former USAFL player be the next American Idol?". World Footy News.
  3. ^ "Mike goes his own way". Atlanta Kookaburras Australian Rules Football Club. 2008-02-27. {{cite news}}: line feed character in |work= at position 20 (help)
  4. ^ "Music Morsels: Crossroads: Michael Lee Of The Rising". www.serge.org. Retrieved 2008-01-13.
  5. ^ "The Rising's Michael Lee came to the US with a dream on Nashville City Paper". www.nashvillecitypaper.com. Retrieved 2008-01-13. {{cite web}}: line feed character in |title= at position 56 (help)
  6. ^ "melodic.net: The Film". www.melodic.net. Retrieved 2008-01-13.
  7. ^ "FMQB: Radio Industry News, Music Industry Updates, Arbitron Ratings, Music News and more!". www.fmqb.com. Retrieved 2008-01-13.
  8. ^ http://www.realitytvworld.com/news/michael-johns-dishes-on-his-american-idol-journey-surprise-ouster-6919.php Michael Johns dishes on his 'American Idol' journey, surprise ouster
  9. ^ [1]
  10. ^ http://www.canada.com/theprovince/news/story.html?id=820b21af-4675-45d0-a0de-f792917b8285&k=54266
  11. ^ http://idolforums.com/index.php?s=&showtopic=551722&view=findpost&p=15408758
  12. ^ http://smallscreen.monstersandcritics.com/news/article_1399903.php/Ryan_Seacrest_on_hot_seat_over_Michael_Johns
  13. ^ On-Air with Ryan Seacrest: Michael Johns
  14. ^ |url=http://video.accesshollywood.com/player/?id=240159#videoid=240178 David Foster's 'Idol' Surprise For Michael Johns
  15. ^ http://www.duemotori.com/news/sport/25120_Michael_Johns_in_vicroey_lane_with_Team_Australia_in_Long_Beach.php
  16. ^ http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:hpfuxzl5ldke
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