In searching for more Michael Johns videos from the performance and Meet n Greet held at Atlanta's Tin Roof Cantina last Friday, I ran across this piece of a documentary called Australians Hit Hollywood. Now I knew he was part of the documentary, but I haven't seen any news or videos from the actual documentary itself worth watching until now.
Michael appears for a few seconds in this piece, but I can tell already, the camera loves him. Maybe that love goes both ways, as he looks completely at home and comfortable in front of the camera. Here's hoping they eventually become best friends. For now, I'm happy listening to his new album Hold Back My Heart. You can pick up your copy at stores like Walmart nationwide, or download it from iTunes and Amazon.com. :D
"The first few minutes of the documentary "AUSTRALIANS HIT HOLLYWOOD". A film about the ups and downs of Australians in the entertainment industry coming to America. Interviews with actors, directors, screenwriters, musicians, executives and reality stars."
Michael Johns Twittered the news that he and Brooke White will be performing at NARM this Wednesday, June 10th. They are said to be performing the duet "Life Is Okay" from the Don't Look Down soundtrack for the first time since it was recorded. It's even been suggested that there might be some video of the performance so I'll keep my eyes open for that one on YouTube.
This huge event being held at the San Diego Marriott started on Sunday (June 7, 2009) and ends Wednesday night with a Red Carpet Reception from 6-7 pm, with the Awards Dinner Finale to follow. Here is the pertinent part of the schedule for Michael Johns and Brooke White fans according to the Source:
6 - 7 PM Red Carpet Reception
7 - 10:30 PM Awards Dinner Finale
Awards Dinner Finale
- Host: Christian Finnegan, Warner Bros Records
- Awards Presentations
- Chairman's Award For Sustained Creative Achievement: Daryl Hall & John Oates
- Independent Spirit Award: Don VanCleave, The Artist Organization (TAO)
- Harry Chapin Memorial Humanitarian Award: Norman Lear, Concord Music Group
- Presidential Award For Sustained Executive Achievement: Bob Higgins, Trans World Entertainment
- NARM Outstanding Achievement Awards (NOAAs)
- Special Award Presentation: Ashford & Simpson
- Performances - Brooke White, June Baby Records/Fontana
- Michael Johns, Downtown Records/Fontana
- Daryl Hall & John Oates
Here's a bonus clip of Michael Johns on Australia's Sunrise show. He talks about his album, American Idol's Season 8 finale, and going back home in January for The Australian Open (which is being sponsored by Garnier Fructis). Cheers.
Michael Johns recently sang his version of the beautiful Bee Gees song 'To Love Somebody' - said to be on his upcoming album 'Hold Back My Heart', which will be released June 23, 2009. Michael has told the story of how the Bee Gees originally wrote the song for Otis Redding, but sadly Otis passed away before he was able to record it. This mp3 of Michael shows his stunning ability to make his audience feel the depths of the meaning behind his soulful songs. Listen to Michael's version below.
Michael Johns had his single "Heart On My Sleeve" aired on 92.9 FM Radio in Australia and then followed with a phone interview on the Kyle and Jackie O Hour Of Power show which can be listened to below.
In a followup to a report first done yesterday about Michael Johns' appearance on The Morning Show, I gave links to the Australian site on Channel 7. Thanks to a tip from I Heart Pizza at IDF (who gave me the link to YouTube) you can now view the interview here. Michael's single "Heart On My Sleeve" is climbing the charts in OZ!
According to The Morning Show in Australia, Michael Johns is a hit. He was featured on their show April 24, 2009. There's lots of great info in this video clip, including the fact that Michael's been asked to "co-host" for an episode of The Today Show with Regis and Kelly! Promotion for "Heart On My Sleeve" is just beginning, so look for Michael to start making the rounds at the likes of Conan, Leno, Letterman Ellen and the rest of the talk shows! I can't wait to see what comes next. Cheers!
Check out The Morning Show by clicking the picture above or below!
Click the pic for the America's Cup of Polo Website.
...or so it would seem. According to recent articles found via the internet regarding his upcoming appearances, Michael Johns is scheduled to be in two places on the same day again-and in separate states at virtually the same time.
Reportedly, he's to be at an AT&T Meet & Greet on May 9th from 1-3 pm in Niles, Ohio and then just a mere hour or so later, will be singing the Australian National Anthem at the Land Rover's America's Polo Cup in Potomac MD just after the parachute show that begins at 4:00 pm. Stay tuned and we'll keep you posted.
Here are some exciting quotes taken directly from the PR Newswire press release!!!
QUOTE
The weekend is filled with Air Shows, Live Concerts, polo, fashion, wine, beer, music, Military exhibitions, family fun and a spectacular fireworks show that rivals the 4th of July in Washington D.C. Children 15 and under are Free. Friday night's Battle of the Coral Sea Gala and Rockin the Runway show will feature a performance by American Idol star Michael Johns and a USA Headliner to be announced -- and then a full runway fashion show. Proceeds from the Land Rover America's Polo Cup benefits local charitable organizations including the Journey for the Cure, a not for profit public charity.
QUOTE
The CW Network will televise the "Land Rover America's Polo Cup Television Special - Where the Elite Meet" live to tape, as well as produce a special Land Rover America's Polo Cup television show that will air on May 16th at 8 p.m., and May 17th at 10:30 a.m.
On Friday the 8th!
QUOTE
ROCKIN the RUNWAY ™ LIVE TELEVISION SHOW - Performance by American Idol Star: Michael Johns ROCKS the Runway Live on the runway followed by special guest appearance.
And on Saturday the 9th!
QUOTE
8:05 pm – American Idol Star "Michael Johns" will perform on Main Concert Stage
Here's an interview Michael did with Richard Arnold from USA Today which was broadcasted on an Australian radio show, 2UE. The album is called "Hold Back My Heart", and Michael says that a couple of labels are competing to release it!
Interesting tidbit:He has some phenomenal musicians working around him such as a keyboardist who used to play for Elton John and Queen! He also did another interview with Canadian Virgin Radio which played a snippet of his new single, 'Heart on My Sleeve' .
Michael Johns is headline news for the America's Polo Cup event scheduled for May 8th and 9th, 2009. The following announcement was taken from PR Newswire. Read the entire article HERE:
American Idol Star Michael Johns to Perform Live at America's Polo Cup Festivities
WASHINGTON, Feb. 25 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Land Rover America's Polo Cup, the world's largest and most prestigious polo experience, has officially announced a portion of its schedule of festivities for the 2009 competition, which will be held May 8 & 9 at the Capitol Polo Club in Poolesville, MD. This year's main match features the United States Polo Team co-sponsored by Land Rover vs. the Australian Polo Team sponsored by Qantas, which is captained by international Polo star Glen Gilmore, the highest rated Australian National at 8 goals handicap. Tickets are currently on sale at a reduced special value rate, and can be purchased online at www.americaspolocup.com or by calling 888-695-0888.
In addition to the international sporting competition, the Land Rover America's Polo Cup is a world class celebration of culture, fashion and history that features an array of weekend festivities. Highlights include "Rockin the Runway," a nationally recognized fashion show featuring America's Next Top Model winners in addition to elite models from NY to Washington DC, as well as a live musical performance by American Idol star Michael Johns. In addition to Johns, Australian and American musical headliners to be announced soon, will perform throughout the weekend. The CW Network will televise the "Land Rover America's Polo Cup Television Special - Where the Elite Meet" live to tape, as well as produce a special Land Rover America's Polo Cup television show that will air on May 16th at 8 p.m., and May 17th at 10:30 a.m.
As some of you already know, the Michael Johns, Rye Randa, and Jeff Foxworth soundtrack Don't Look Down featuring the Michael Johns/Brooke White duet "Life Is Okay" isn't available to fans outside the United States. Brace yourselves for this happy news!
Rye Randa is the hero to every international fan currently unable to download the soundtrack "Don't Look Down". He's making the download available to all Michael Johns, Rye Randa, Jeff Foxworth, and Brooke White fans that don't have access to the soundtrack through Amazon.com or iTunes.
In an email I received today, he asked that I post the news of his gift. He's placed the soundtrack on his website and made it available for purchase there.
Hey Rebecca-
Wanted to let you know I've been getting quite a few emails from Michael's international fans, especially in Australia who have been very frustrated because they cannot buy the soundtrack. For some reason iTunes and Amazon have only made it available in the U.S. (not smart on their part). So until we deal with that issue, we have made the soundtrack available to the international community as a download from my website www.ryemusic.com. Would you mind posting something in the forum, or wherever else you think would be appropriate? Hopefully this will satisfy some of the fans who've been feeling neglected!
Thanks Rebecca!
Hope all is well.
-Rye
As always, it's my pleasure to share any words I get from him. Enjoy the news, and for those of you who didn't have access before, enjoy the soundtrack as well.
As most everyone has probably heard by now, American Idol finalist Michael Johns has just released his first single since leaving the show.
"Another Christmas" was released for download on Amazon and iTunes December 9, 2008. Now that in itself is newsworthy enough, however, there is so much more to be told to the story. You see, Michael didn't release the song to profit from it himself. In fact, he's giving 100% of his first post-Idol single away to charities as his gift to others for Christmas.
In an article first published in New York Post – POP WRAPMichael told how the song was written. According to that article, the song's history is this. He wasn't able to go back home to Australia for Christmas in eight years, but planned on going back in 2006. His visa didn't come through in time for him to make the trip.
He was so homesick and upset, that he woke up around three in the morning and "the song just came out". His wife Stacey was brought to tears when she heard it the next morning. You can view the original article by clicking the link above. The story continues after I give you the chance to see the video of Michael performing "Another Christmas" on Access Hollywood.
The first we fans heard that there might be a Christmas single was in a blog posted by Michael on Oct. 23, 2008. Not much more than the name of the song was given about the release at the time. Then, snippets of the song started appearing on the Internet around mid November on sites such as mjsbigblog. The following week brought more news of the song. In numerous fan forums, like IDF Aussie Posse (idolforums.com) and Michael Johns Fan Site, forum members announced that the song would be sent to all Top 40, Hot AC, and AAA radio stations for nationwide play beginning December 01, 2008.
It wasn't until Michael was on a four day tour in the Philippines sponsored by Ayala Malls, that he played a piece of the song for the first time live at the Greenbelt venue. A video clip from that appearance gave us a little more about his future plans for this gift. He announced that all Philippines sales of the song (made available through Mossimo Music) would be given toBantay Bata 163, a children's charity in the Philippines.
This was the first hint we had about how extensive his charitable donation of the song would be. On December 1, the day "Another Christmas" started getting radio play, I received an email at the IDF Aussie Posse MySpace, which listed what charities would benefit from the gift Michael had given. The names of those charities are listed below. The list made it quickly apparent; Michael wanted his gift to be meaningful and far reaching. This is a direct quote of the email I received.
In the U.S. it's going to ALS and Red Cross. In Manila it's going to Bantay Bata 163. In Australia the Starlight Foundation.
Michael announces the release of "Another Christmas" in his own MySpace blog!
Another Christmas
Current mood: happy Hi everyone as you may or may not know today is the release of my song Another Christmas.
All proceeds are going to MDA's ALS division and The Red Cross. I believe very strongly in these charities. ALS is a horrible disease that robs you of everything. You lose the ability to walk, talk and move. However you keep all brain function. It's like being in your own prison.
The Red Cross is such an important organiztion and i am dedicating this song to all the Troops serving abroad this Holiday. Another Christmas is really about being away from loved ones and telling them you miss them and love them.
I never intended to release a song i had written for my family, however it's for such a great cause. I know you will all help me in raising as much money and awareness as you can. Download Another Chritmas at Itunes or Amazon
Cheers,
MJ
In an interview done by Nancy O'Dell for Access Hollywood, on December 9, Michael confirmed all proceeds from the sale of "Another Christmas" here in the United States would be given to ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis or Lou Gehrig's disease) and The Red Cross. He chose to champion his friend Nancy's causes to honor her mother who was recently lost to the disease ALS.
Radio play of the song rapidly grew and the news of his gift spread over the internet. In addition to the links already listed, his story was featured in People, an Access Hollywood article (before the appearance), and AOL TV. Ryan Seacrest's radio show on kiisfm.com was listed as the place to make requests for the song.
Another DJ whose name is Ken founded The Sounds Of Christmas radio station in 2007, and he's been keeping all the fans filled in with the news about Michael's song through his blog. He just announced that out of 2300 songs requested, Michael's was #9 this week. Not bad for a brand new song that was in no way promoted except through news of his gift. My thanks to Ken for doing his part to help promote this gift.
There you have it. The story of a song that was written by a man, who simply missed his home, his family, and friends, and how it has now become a gift to others who cannot be with theirs. He has already dedicated the proceeds to the charities, and then he dedicated the sentiments of the song to our troops and their families who can't be with their loved ones at Christmas. His gift will touch countless lives in the years to come.
The song is magnificent in its simplicity, elegance, and heartfelt message. It is timeless and will span generations to become a Christmas tradition. Forever there will always be someone who cannot be with the ones they love during the holidays. Far from being depressing, the song speaks instead of unending love. It's inspiring to hear his words explain how the love you feel is in no way diminished by the distance between you, or the time you are apart.
Michael Johns has dedicated his time, again and again, at virtually every performance since leaving American Idol. He has a history of dedicating himself to charitable acts from the Ithuteng documentary track "River Of Life" that he did with Rye Randa, to performing at New York Presbyterian Hospital for the children there. He's given the phrase "Idol gives back" a whole new meaning, in my opinion.
When I first started this column, I intended to go in-depth for each of the charities listed below, where he's shared his talent this year alone. I realized very quickly, that to delve into each subject would turn the article into a book. I've decided to hit just a few highlights of his donated time for charitable causes this year. Here's a list of the events he's done just since leaving the tour in September.
20 September 2008 - America's Cup of Polo - Journey for the Cure Foundation
24 September 2008 - Life Changing Lives Charity
04-05 October 2008 - Perth Telethon
07 October 2008 - Private appearance with Carly Smithson
09 November 2008 - Tony Hawk’s Stand Up for Skate Parks Benefit for the Tony Hawk Foundation
12 November 2008 - 60th Anniversary Benefit Dinner for the American Australian Association - over $1.6 million raised for the Association's Education Fund
18-21 November – Ayala Mall Tour – where he announced his contribution for Bantay Bata 163 through Mossimo Music
01 December Legoland California - who donated $10,000 to The Dave Thomas Foundation for foster children
02 December - the UNIFEM foundation raised $5000
Oh yeah, did I forget to mention he's finished his new CD for release in March of 2009 in his spare time? Well virtually finished anyway. He's recorded about 20 songs and has a couple more to do before he's through. There will be 12 songs on the CD according to Michael, as heard in an interview done by Access Atlanta's Rodney Ho. Click on his name to view the video. Michael tells Rodney that his first single will be out in February. I'll be back with more news for those events as the release dates become firm.
Until then, you must be satisfied with Michael's performance on the "David Foster and Friends DVD" available now, or the soundtrack he collaborated with Rye Randa and Jeff Foxworth on for the Shaun White documentary DVD "Don't Look Down", to be released in January 2009. Can't wait that long either?
Here's a suggestion. Make a last minute gift to someone you can't be with this year, or buy one for yourself to show thanks that your loved ones are with you. Ninety-nine cents and a few minutes time is all it will cost. You'll be doing a whole lot more than you'll ever know, for people you may never meet. Merry Christmas, and have a wonderful New Year.
Michael Johns appeared on Mornings With Kerri-Anne, and he sang a song which he co-wrote with Dave Cobb called Fool's Gold. Original video by the kind courtesy of Shannatic.
Fool's Gold first appeared on Michael's eponymous album, produced by Dave Cobb. The album was first released in 2007 but was later shelved when the independent label it was on folded. Dave Cobb is also involved in producing some tracks for Michael's new album. Listen to the Cobb produced and co-written Fool's Gold.
Michael Johns was part of the star cast for Perth's Channel 7 Telethon fund-raiser. He sang the song Fire, co-written by Dave Cobb and which also appeared on his self-titled album. Thank you to Sedz and Sheoak for the video.
This radio performance was recorded during Michael's recent trip back down under to Australia. Arriving days before the Perth Telethon, this is just one of the many appearances he's made, both on radio and TV. The host of this show even joined Michael in singing a few bars. Credit goes to The Kyle and Jackie O Show. Enjoy as Michael does an acoustic cover version of Jason Mraz's "I'm Yours". The video was made by a fan.
Michael Johns is in Australia to participate in a fund-raising telethon. While there, he was interviewed by a few radio stations. In fact, Michael sang. Watch the video of an acoustic version of Fool's Gold performed at the studio of the Merrick Rosso & Kate Ritchie Show. According to Michael, this song is representative of the blues/soul sound of his album and he mentions the influences of Van Morrison and Joe Cocker.
Michael was also at the Kyle and Jackie O Show, singing a cover version of Jason Mraz's I'm Yours. Is that a tiny bit of Bob Marley I hear?
On Sunrise tv, Michael sang The Beatles' Across The Universe. Earlier this year, Dr. Condoleezza Rice told Michael how much she had enjoyed his performance of this song on American Idol.
Love Me Two Times by the Doors best describes him, says Michael Johns. He’s the Aussie you watched on American Idol. Our blog focuses on his music and where his journey takes him from this moment on. As we follow his trek to a solo career, we will delve into music from other artists we love.
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