Vault: Michael Johns Interview. He's buzzed in studio

Summary

The Bert Show — “Vault: Michael Johns Interview. He's buzzed in studio”

Date: May 7, 2026
Guest: Michael Johns (Former American Idol contestant)
Special Call-In Guest: Ruben Studdard (American Idol winner)
Location: Bert Show Studio / Atlanta

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Episode Overview

This lively and candid episode brings former American Idol finalist Michael Johns into the Bert Show studio—fresh off a late night out and notably still buzzing from the festivities. The hosts dive into Michael’s spontaneous Atlanta gig, his adventures en route to the studio, and his excitement about performing at the legendary Fox Theatre for a David Foster and Friends event. Adding to the celebratory chaos, American Idol winner Ruben Studdard calls in for an impromptu reunion, sharing stories about life, music, food, and personal growth. The whole chat is soaked in humor, authenticity, and nostalgia.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

Michael's Wild Night in Atlanta

• Spontaneous Gig at Tin Roof Cantina
  • Michael went back to his "old stomping grounds" for a late-night jam session.

    “Yeah. I went to my old stomping grounds, the Tin Roof Cantina, and had a little fun.” (00:51 — Michael Johns)

  • Party ended between 3–4 am.
• Arriving 'Buzzed' at the Studio
  • Hosts tease Michael about his current state.

    “Are you still buzzed right now?”
    “No, I’m not. You know, maybe.” (01:01 — Michael Johns)

  • Michael vents about his difficult cab ride over—couldn’t pay by credit card, driver unimpressed by his fame.

    “I’m still fuming on the cab right over here. Trust me, the guy wouldn’t take my credit card.” (01:07 — Michael Johns)

The American Idol Bond

• Shared Experiences of Late Nights
  • Hosts and Michael joke about reaching the point of no return with drinking, and how hangovers hit harder after 30.

    “You do get to a point, though, where you’re like, I’m so buzzed right now that stopping isn’t gonna do me any good.” (01:43 — Host) “And then you turn 30.” (02:05 — Michael Johns) “You’ll be hurt for the next three days, man.” (02:08 — Host)

David Foster & Friends: The Big Event

• Playing the Fox Theatre
  • Michael expresses excitement about performing at an iconic venue and with legendary producer David Foster.

    “It’s a dream come true to actually play the Fox Theater and David Foster. I just can’t wait.” (02:24 — Michael Johns)

• On David Foster’s Influence
  • Michael describes Foster’s legacy, connecting him to music history.

    “David is the man responsible for everything from Chicago to Earth, Wind and Fire to Whitney... over 500 million records.” (02:35 — Michael Johns) “I think him and Quincy Jones are literally responsible for the last 30 years of music.” (03:08 — Michael Johns)

• Getting Involved with the Project
  • Michael was invited by Foster after Idol, leading to performances alongside big names like Celine Dion and Babyface.

    "He said, ‘I love your voice...I’m doing a Vegas special, would you like to come and join?’ ...It was insane." (03:17 — Michael Johns)

Surprise Call: Ruben Studdard Joins the Show (04:08)

• Recapping His Night
  • Ruben jokes about being too old for late nights and details hanging out with his cousin until 3am.

    "Nah, I honestly was at my cousin’s house from about, you know, 6 o'clock until about 3 o'clock this morning." (04:50 — Ruben Studdard)

• On Working with David Foster
  • Ruben describes meeting Foster at a UNICEF event, leading to joining the tour.

    "He said, well, you know, one day we’ll work together again ... you want to come sing some of my songs?" (06:09 — Ruben Studdard) "You only get so many people that have done the type of things that he’s done...he has the hits." (06:33 — Ruben Studdard)

• Lineup at the Event
  • Other big names: Philip Bailey (Earth Wind & Fire), Peter Cetera (Chicago), Deborah Cox.

    “It’s pretty cool, actually. Philip Bailey from Earth Wind & Fire, Peter Satira from Chicago...Deborah Cox.” (07:11 — Michael Johns)

Food, Atlanta, and Lifestyle Changes

• Local Recommendations
  • Michael shouts out the Tin Roof Cantina; Ruben prefers Highland Bakery.

    “When I come to Atlanta...Highland Bakery. It’s just amazing.” (08:34 — Ruben Studdard)

• Ruben Goes Vegetarian
  • Michael teases Ruben’s new diet; Ruben clarifies it’s for health and vocal reasons.

    “I have never sounded better. I used to always have problems with...mucus build up on my vocal cords—not to get, you know, real personal...since I cut dairy and meat…out of my life.” (09:24 — Ruben Studdard)

Friendship, Antics, and Good Vibes

• Michael downplays his Fox Theatre debut by joking about Ruben’s multiple performances there.

  “I said, dude, this is my bucket list. I’m checking up. And he goes, yeah, I played there five nights straight.” (08:13 — Michael Johns)

• Calls for Ruben to sing live, but he politely declines.

  “Why don’t you sing something for us right now, Ruben?”
  “Right, man. I don’t think this is the appropriate time.” (10:15—10:19)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Michael Johns, on late night drinking:
  “Well, Jaeger’s never the last shot. It’s just the absolute, like, you’re screwed.” (01:36)

• Michael Johns, on his cab ride drama:
  “I’m still fuming on the cab right over here. Trust me, the guy wouldn’t take my credit card... I wasn’t happy.” (01:07)

• Ruben Studdard, reflecting on David Foster:
  “You only get, you know, so many people that have done the type of things that he’s done...he has the hits.” (06:36)

• Michael Johns, on the star-studded tour:
  “It was everyone from, I mean, Celine Dion to Brian McKnight to Babyface. It was insane.” (03:38)

• Ruben Studdard, on being vegetarian:
  “I feel for me, it’s just the, you know, healthiest way to live and eat. And, you know, I have—I’ve never sounded better.” (09:24)

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Important Timestamps

• 00:51 – Michael describes his spontaneous gig at Tin Roof Cantina
• 01:36 – "Jaeger’s never the last shot"—discussing late-night drinks
• 02:24 – Michael on playing the Fox Theatre with David Foster
• 03:08 – “Him and Quincy Jones…responsible for the last 30 years of music”
• 04:08 – Ruben Studdard joins by phone
• 05:24 – Michael praises Ruben’s version of “Home,” invites all to the show
• 06:09 – Ruben shares how he was invited by David Foster
• 07:11 – Listing other performers: Philip Bailey, Peter Cetera, Deborah Cox
• 08:13 – Michael jokes about Ruben’s “five nights straight” at the Fox
• 08:34 – Ruben’s Atlanta food picks: Highland Bakery
• 09:24 – Ruben discusses benefits of going vegetarian for his health & voice
• 10:15 – The hosts ask for a live song, Ruben gently declines

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Episode Tone & Style

The conversation is unfiltered, friendly, and often self-deprecating. Both Michael and Ruben are quick with jokes about themselves and each other, openly discussing hangovers, cab mishaps, and their awe at performing with musical legends. The hosts keep the mood light, poking fun at the guests’ late-night antics and leaning into shared nostalgia from American Idol days.

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Summary

This episode captures the magic of old friends reconnecting, cracked open by a little too much fun the night before. Michael Johns and Ruben Studdard give fans a peek behind the curtain—sharing not just their musical journeys, but their real lives and quirks. For anyone who loves stories of music, friendship, and that “just barely holding it together” morning-after energy, this episode is a winner.

Transcript

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[Show Host (possibly Jeff)]

Learn [e-mail] Sapphire Reserve Go. Cards issued by JP Morgan, Chase bank, and a member FDIC, subject to credit approval. This is the Birch Show, Michael Johnson Studio. What's up, dude?

[Michael Johns]

How are you guys?

[Show Host (possibly Jeff)]

How are you, man? Now, you were just telling us. Let's pretend that we've just given you some truth serum, okay? You walked in the door and I hit you with, like, a needle. And it has truth serum in it. Okay. You played a gig last night, a spontaneous gig last night, right?

[Michael Johns]

Yeah. I went to my old stomping grounds, the Tin Roof Cantina, and had a little fun.

[Show Host (possibly Jeff)]

What time did you get out of there last night?

[Michael Johns]

I don't know, like, three?

[Show Host (possibly Jeff)]

You still kind of buzzed right now?

[Michael Johns]

Maybe four.

[Show Host (possibly Jeff)]

Are you still buzzed right now?

[Michael Johns]

No, I'm not. You know, maybe.

[Show Host (possibly Jeff)]

Okay.

[Co-host or Interviewer]

Potential.

[Michael Johns]

I'm still fuming on the cab right over here. Trust me, the guy wouldn't take my credit card to, like, get me over here. I was. I wasn't happy.

[Show Host (possibly Jeff)]

Why?

[Michael Johns]

I don't know. You tell me.

[Show Host (possibly Jeff)]

Didn't you say, dude? American Idol, Michael Jones, right here.

[Michael Johns]

He wasn't having it.

[Show Host (possibly Jeff)]

He wasn't having it. Was it a great time last night?

[Michael Johns]

It was a good time. I love this town. I love coming back here and meeting up with old friends.

[Show Host (possibly Jeff)]

At what point last night did you do your last shot?

[Michael Johns]

Shot?

[Show Host (possibly Jeff)]

Yes.

[Michael Johns]

Well, Jaeger's never the last shot. It's just the absolute, like, you're screwed.

[Show Host (possibly Jeff)]

You do get to a point, though, where you're like, I'm so buzzed right now that stopping isn't gonna do me any good.

[Co-host or Interviewer]

Yeah, right.

[Show Host (possibly Jeff)]

You might as well just keep going.

[Co-host or Interviewer]

It's like you're already. It's the mentality that you used to have as a kid when your curfew was 11 and you look at your. It's like 12, 15. You're like, crap. And you're like, well, I'm gonna get grounded anyway.

[Show Host (possibly Jeff)]

Yeah, I'm gonna be hungover.

[Michael Johns]

And then you turn 30.

[Show Host (possibly Jeff)]

You'll be hurt for the next three days, man.

[Michael Johns]

Exactly.

[Show Host (possibly Jeff)]

What are you doing in town? What's going on.

[Michael Johns]

I am here for the. For the David Foster and Friends show tonight at the Fox theater. It's huge. It's the PBS special ran all year. And I just. It's a dream come true to actually play the Fox theater and David Foster. I just can't wait.

[Co-host or Interviewer]

So for people who don't know who David Foster is, tell them why he's such a big deal.

[Michael Johns]

David is the man responsible for everything from Chicago to Earth, Wind and fire to Whitney. Josh Groban, Michael Buble. I mean, this guy. I mean, he sold over 500 million records.

[Co-host or Interviewer]

Is he a producer, Songwriter?

[Michael Johns]

Yeah, songwriter, producer, everything. I mean, the guy really is just a living legend.

[Show Host (possibly Jeff)]

It's like. I mean, if, like, any number one hit, like, over the last 15 years has his either influence or his name on it, right?

[Michael Johns]

Honestly, in the last, like, 30 years, yeah.

[Show Host (possibly Jeff)]

This dude.

[Michael Johns]

I mean, I think him and Quincy Jones are literally responsible for the last 30 years of music.

[Show Host (possibly Jeff)]

It's crazy. So how'd you end up getting hooked up with this dude?

[Michael Johns]

Right when I get kicked off to Idol, you go to Access Hollywood in Allen and you do the whole thing. And then he was doing a residency on Access Hollywood last year, and he said, hey, I love your voice. Is there any way. Do you know my songs? Man in motion, like, St. Elmo's fire. Huge song. And then She's a Beauty by the Tubes. She's a beauty, Yeah. I was like, yes, I know that song. She goes, well, I'm doing a Vegas special. Would you like to come and join? And it was everyone from, I mean, Celine Dion to Brian McKnight to Babyface. It was insane. And I somehow got invited to be there, and I was like, yes, I'll be there.

[Show Host (possibly Jeff)]

She's a Beauty was a tough one for you just to say, wasn't it? Yeah, it was.

[Michael Johns]

She's a beauty.

[Show Host (possibly Jeff)]

That was a hard one.

[Michael Johns]

Well, not in Atlanta.

[Show Host (possibly Jeff)]

Ruben Studdard hears you on the radio and he's like, I want some American Idol love. He's on the phone now also.

[Michael Johns]

Oh, Ruben's the man. Is he serious?

[Show Host (possibly Jeff)]

Seriously? Yeah, he just called.

[Michael Johns]

Oh, my God. Ruben's okay.

[Ruben Studdard]

Hey, Ruben, what up? What up, Ruben? What's happening, man?

[Co-host or Interviewer]

So were you out with Michael last night doing shots of Jaeger at Tinroof?

[Ruben Studdard]

Oh, man. Nah, I was with my cousin last night.

[Show Host (possibly Jeff)]

You may be in the exact same state that Michael Johns is in right now.

[Co-host or Interviewer]

Where'd you guys go?

[Ruben Studdard]

Oh, man, it's awful. I'm too old. I'm too old. To be. Yeah. Anyway, take some Tylenol.

[Co-host or Interviewer]

Can we hear about your hang last night? Where'd you go?

[Show Host (possibly Jeff)]

Out. Yeah, where'd you go, Reuben?

[Ruben Studdard]

Nah, I honestly was at my cousin's house from about, you know, 6 o' clock until about 3 o' clock this morning.

[Show Host (possibly Jeff)]

So can we all just, like, can we put it aside and all agree that we have two former American Idolists that are still a little bit drunk on the radio right now?

[Ruben Studdard]

Absolutely not. We cannot agree that. I'm 100% sober right now.

[Show Host (possibly Jeff)]

Are you gonna be feeling it later on today, man? You know, before you called up, Michael was just saying just the greatest things about you, man. He really was.

[Ruben Studdard]

Really? What do you say?

[Show Host (possibly Jeff)]

He's here.

[Michael Johns]

No, I mean, I honestly, like, Ruben was one of my favorite voices ever on American Idol. And getting to know him through this process of being on the tour with David Foster and come out to the Fox tonight because he. He does a version of Home. Blake Shelton's Home. You know what I mean? That's so soulful and amazing. Completely Reuben studded. It's. It's awesome.

[Ruben Studdard]

Oh, thank you, Michael. John.

[Co-host or Interviewer]

Where do you guys think David Foster went out until 3am last night?

[Ruben Studdard]

I don't know. He's probably writing another $20 million record.

[Michael Johns]

He is amazing. He's amazing.

[Show Host (possibly Jeff)]

So how did both of you guys get hooked up? And, Reuben, how did you get hooked up with this whole thing tonight?

[Ruben Studdard]

Oh, man, I was. I met David Foster probably about two, three years ago, and I was doing a UNICEF event, and, you know, we performed together. And he said, well, you know, one day we'll work together again. And, you know, a couple months ago, he just called me out of the blue and was like, you know, look, I'm going on the road. You want to come sing some of my songs? And I was like, you know, who can turn down David Foster? So I had to move some people out the way. He's very important in the world of music. You know, you only get, you know, so many people that have done the type of things that he's done, so. And every night when we're with him, we always get impressed by the, you know, the sheer volume of hit records that he's done. Like, some people do a lot of records, but, you know, not a lot of people have, you know, hits like that. And he has the hits.

[Co-host or Interviewer]

Who else is performing tonight other than you two?

[Michael Johns]

It's pretty cool, actually. Philip Bailey from Earth Wind and Fire, Peter Satira from Chicago. I mean, and honestly, Deborah Cox. Deborah Cox. We Love her. And it's actually pretty amazing. Like, we all sit there and we. We watch Peter Satira sing every night and all those hits from Karate Kid to, like, you know, and we all do our little impersonations and stuff. I.

[Ruben Studdard]

You gotta do it for him while you're in there. Michael. John.

[Michael Johns]

Oh, I can't run tonight. It's very clear. It's amazing. I mean, we just get to. We get to be surrounded by these legends and just have a great night every night on tour.

[Show Host (possibly Jeff)]

And Ruben, you know, Michael was telling us that this was his first time ever in the. In the Fox theater.

[Ruben Studdard]

Oh, his first time. Yeah, he told me that as well. How many times have you been in the Fox theater? I've been there a couple times.

[Michael Johns]

That's what I told Reuben. I said, dude, this is my bucket list. I'm checking up. And he goes, yeah, I played there five nights straight. Whatever.

[Show Host (possibly Jeff)]

It's an old hat for him, man.

[Co-host or Interviewer]

Hey, every time we talk to Michael, he's going back to the Tin Roof for, you know, hanging with friends. Do you have any must visit places other than family's house when you come back to Atlanta?

[Ruben Studdard]

When I come to Atlanta, I got to go. It's a little bakery we go to for breakfast called the Highland Bakery. It's just amazing.

[Co-host or Interviewer]

It is the best.

[Show Host (possibly Jeff)]

Have you guys been.

[Co-host or Interviewer]

Yes. This is amazing.

[Ruben Studdard]

My wife introduced me to that place, and I've been in love with it ever since.

[Michael Johns]

But Ruben's now a vegetarian.

[Show Host (possibly Jeff)]

Oh, yeah.

[Co-host or Interviewer]

You are?

[Michael Johns]

What? Ruben's a vegetarian? Yeah. And he said to me, tell me. Tell me, dog. Like, what's your favorite fried chicken in ribs place? And I said, fat mats. I mean, come on, you know? And he goes, oh, that just kills me, man. Like, he. Like, he still wants to be there, but, like, he's a vegetarian.

[Co-host or Interviewer]

Are you doing that for the rest of your life, or are you doing that just for health reasons right now?

[Ruben Studdard]

No, I'm doing it for the rest of my life, man.

[Co-host or Interviewer]

Really? Why. Why'd you make the decision?

[Ruben Studdard]

Well, I. I've been a vegetarian for a year and a half now, so I've just. I don't know. I just, you know, I feel for me, it's just the, you know, healthiest way to. To live and eat. And, you know, I have. I've never sounded better. You know, I. I used to always have problems with, like, mucus build up on my vocal cords. Not to, you know, get, you know, real personal or anything, but at all, since I cut dairy and, you know, meat products. Out of my life. So I'm. You know.

[Co-host or Interviewer]

So it's not an ethical. It's not like an ethical animal thing?

[Ruben Studdard]

Oh, no. You know, no, I'm not. I don't be going crazy on Peter with, you know, all that. Do you still really work for me?

[Michael Johns]

Trust me. I mean, you guys come down tonight to the Fox sitter. Like, he sounds better than I've ever heard him.

[Co-host or Interviewer]

Why don't you sing something for us right now, Ruben?

[Show Host (possibly Jeff)]

I'm gonna bag one out.

[Ruben Studdard]

Right, man. I don't think this is the appropriate time.

[Show Host (possibly Jeff)]

All right, dude. Thanks for taking the time to call in, man. We appreciate it.

[Ruben Studdard]

No doubt, man. Thank you guys for having me. Y' all come down to the Fox tonight, please.

[Show Host (possibly Jeff)]

All right. Go get some rest, man. Go get some rest. He's not going to admit it, but he does sound like he's in the same state you are right now.

[Michael Johns]

I am. Okay.

[Show Host (possibly Jeff)]

What time does everything start tonight?

[Michael Johns]

Eight o'. Clock.

[Show Host (possibly Jeff)]

Eight o' clock tonight?

[Michael Johns]

Yep.

[Show Host (possibly Jeff)]

Very cool. It's good having you in studio, man.

[Michael Johns]

Thanks.

[Co-host or Interviewer]

Congratulations on your first performance. Thank you.

You need some cash for the cab?

[Michael Johns]

From you? Yes.

[Co-host or Interviewer]

Okay.

[Michael Johns]

You owe me, Jeff.

[Show Host (possibly Jeff)]

The Birch show.