When The Smoke Clears

It has been two years since Johnnie Marshall's freshman golden debut I Dun Struck Gold, captured hearts, led to soulful romantic evenings and maybe even some new births. With his sophomore project, 'When The Smoke Clears', Johnnie Marshall's artistry, music and message are more powerful than ever- inspiring comparisons to Marvin Gaye and Babyface, yet celebrating Johnnie's signature style. As we navigate a world fraught with changes, 'When the Smoke Clears' takes the pulse of our times with a clarion call to always return to love. For singer and songwriter Johnnie Marshall, love is always uppermost in his mind. 'The mood for 'When The Smoke Clears' is like an awakening; it's a graduation. Having gone through some struggle, it's all about realizing that everything has it's cycle and everything changes,' Johnnie reflects. 'Even when you're going through a tough period, you're going to see some sunlight eventually. It's about love bringing you through and about reassuring my lady that we can weather the storm.' Growing up in New York, Johnnie learned a lot about getting through storms, but winter, spring, summer, or fall, the dream of creating great music was with him every season. Having parents who were music teachers helped inspire Johnnie to develop his God-given talents, yet he waited for years, working a 9 to 5 at a technology company before fully seizing his dream and sharing his gifts with the world. In crafting sensual, sexy and fun CDs, Johnnie looks to the world's best to partner with him. Grammy nominated guitarist 'Doc' Powell got his licks in on I Dun Struck Gold, and in between gigs with Stevie Wonder and Christina Aguilera, guitarist Errol Cooney added his magic to both Johnnie's freshman and sophomore project. Artist Morris LeGrande lent his considerable talent to the CD, and says he'll always remember Johnnie's laughter during recording sessions. 'It's always at the close of a session. When everything comes together the way that Johnnie envisioned it, we share these bouts of gut busting laughter that no one else could even start to understand. I'm not even sure we do but it always happens. That is truly one of the joys of working with Johnnie.' Le Grande adds,'Although the sound of his voice reminds me of J.T. Taylor, the lead singer from Kool and the Gang, Johnnie is unique. Johnnie has a style that is his own and easily identifiable in the marketplace.' Easily identifiable is what Johnnie Marshall strives to be as a gentleman who reminds women of how they ought be treated. And he celebrates appreciation of women, especially with the sensuous, breathtaking melody and lyrics of 'The Shape of A Woman's Body'. 'I was walking through an aisle in a bookstore, heading to the coffee shop when this woman wearing blue jeans caught my eye. She just had an amazing body. Immediately after seeing her, the lyric came to me. I pulled out my cell phone and began recording the melody and the lyrics on my cell phone, so I wouldn't forget the idea. That song put me in the frame of mind of everything I like about a woman...how much I appreciate a woman. 'As an artist that song put me over the top- there was really something incredible in completing the project with this as the last song that I wrote for it. I never said a word to that beautiful lady, but I'll always remember how she inspired me.' Inspired lyrics and music are Johnnie Marshall's trademark. With each song on his latest work, Johnnie further reveals his musical treasures first discovered on 'I Dun Struck Gold'. Beyond a sophomore CD, 'When the Smoke Clears' takes Johnnie Marshall to the head of the class at graduation, moving solidly forward in his musical destiny.