Artist of the Week: Michael Johns

Michael Johns has a new album titled "Hold Back My Heart" under his belt. The outcast of "American Idol" season seven will release the record across United States on June 23 under Downtown Records.

Before the effort hits the stores, Michael has dropped a new single "Heart on My Sleeve" in April. In this song, he got James Morrison co-writing the lyrics. The track is currently climbing to number 25 on Billboard Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks after previously sitting at number 27 on the chart.

Recalling how he ended up singing the James-penned song, Michael said in an exclusive interview with AceShowbiz, "I got a call from producer/songwriter John Shanks and he said he had a song he had co written with James Morrison. I am a big fan of James, and he said it was a song that would absolutely suit my soulful voice. I heard the tune and it really spoke to me. I had to cut it."

Michael is currently planning to shoot music video for the song in New York City in the coming weeks. On what it will be dealing with, he explained, "I have a storyline for it that I think will totally fit the songs lyrics. I'm not one of those guys that needs to be an actor in a video so the story just kind of happens around me."

When asked about what he wants to achieve with the album, Michael stated, "I want it to bring the joy of soul music to as many people as it can. 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. Go and discover the amazing Otis Redding, Sam and Dave, Sam Cooke and Joe Cocker if they have never heard them before. Hopefully if people like the record I'll get to keep touring and keep making records for a longtime."

Furthermore, Michael also shared about his upcoming headlining tour to support the soon-to-be-released record. He said, "We go on the road after July 4th and then a full tour starting August 1st." Fans can log on to his MySpace to obtain more updated news about him.