Very few artists have a personality as large as their talent. Michael J Woodard, with his extraordinary voice and magnetic stage presence, is undoubtedly one such artist. From his humble beginnings to his meteoric rise in the music industry, Woodard's journey is a testament to perseverance, passion, and the power of authenticity.
Michael J Woodard's story begins in the vibrant musical city of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Woodard showed an early inclination towards music, singing in church choirs and participating in local talent shows. When asked “Being a Philly native, a city with a rich musical history, did that play a role in you choosing music as your career path? If so, could you talk about some of those influences?” Michael answered "Growing up in Philly really helped develop me at an early age. Developing the richness and soulfulness you hear in my music” He credits the Church for laying the foundation and being ”the first avenue of creative expression”. He credits his school more so for ”Introducing me to the stage”. The various school pageants helped develop his showmanship. ”It introduced me to being in front of a crowd”. He concludes that all those experiences in Philly laid a great foundation on who he is as an artist today.
In 2018, Michael J Woodard auditioned for the sixteenth season of American Idol. Woodard captivated both the judges and viewers with his soulful voice, endearing personality, and undeniable charisma. Throughout the competition, Woodard delivered unforgettable performances, showcasing his incredible vocal range and emotional depth. Despite facing stiff competition, Woodard's talent and authenticity shone through, earning him a spot in the coveted top five. His rendition of songs like "Believe in Yourself" from The Wiz and "My Heart Will Go On" by Celine Dion left audiences in awe and solidified his status as a frontrunner in the competition. Leaving a lasting impression on Judge and Pop star legend Katy Perry led to an opportunity for Michael to sign with Katy Perry’s Capitol Records imprint Unsub Records.
Woodard on January 12, 2024 released his debut EP MJW1 with stand out tracks Trouble, and Ruined. Woodard’s deep songwriting, and emotion filled vocals shine through; Juxtaposed with his pop sonics and production is a recipe for success. In addition to creating an amazing ep he blessed us with unique and meaningful music videos. We were able to ask him about the Ruined music video “I really enjoyed your single Ruined as well as the music video. Suitcases seem to be the focal point in the majority of the shots of the video. Could you speak on the meaning of it?” He responded ”Ruined is that special record that allows me to be vulnerable. When putting the treatment together for the music video the story sort of wrote itself.” The suitcases represent his past relationships. Taking a minimalistic approach to his music videos so that you can really take hold to the lyrics. Allowing the music video to just reinforce the story behind the song.
As Michael J Woodard continues to carve out his place in the music industry, the future looks brighter than ever. With his unwavering passion, undeniable talent, and genuine connection to his audience, Woodard is a force to be reckoned with in the world of music. We look forward to seeing his continued growth.