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TOBE ARTISTS is a full service artist management & creative company responsible for building the careers of independent artists James Johnston and Zac & George. If we believe, we deliver! ARTIST MANAGEMENT | ARTIST BOOKINGS | ARTIST TOURING TOBE Artists is a full service artist management & creative company responsible for building and managing the careers of James Johnston and Zac & George . JAMES JOHNSTON ZAC & GEORGE JAMES JOHNSTON 1/2

< Back 15 JANUARY 2023 James Johnston performs LIVE from the Tamworth Country Music Festival James Johnston has taken the Australian country music scene by storm ARTICLE BY: KEALI RUSSELL, SCENESTR LISTEN HERE James Johnston has taken the Australian country music scene by storm. He's been nominated for his first ever Golden Guitar Award, where he's topped the nominations scoring a total of six. James joined Kristy Reading in the ABC studio this week to discuss his relatively short road to success and what's next for the bonafide star.

< Back 28 SEPTEMBER 2023 JAMES JOHNSTON’S ‘RAISED LIKE THAT’ IS A CELEBRATION OF BEING RAISED COUNTRY “The record will make you want to dance, make you want to cry, and make you want to turn around and buy a little property in a small town somewhere.” ARTICLE BY: KEALI RUSSELL, SCENESTR On paper, James Johnston’s meteoric rise appears to have unfolded at a back-breaking speed, but after speaking with him, you quickly realise that he is exactly where he should be, and it’s been decades in the making. Refreshingly, James extinguishes any ideas of imposter syndrome and embraces his position and accolades, reflecting on the last two years gratefully. “I feel incredibly honoured, lucky and blessed that I get to be doing it,” Johnston reveals. “I have been dreaming about this experience my whole life; it just took me almost 30 years to finally get out there and do it. And for my music to have connected so well, that’s the part that has been the dream. “I get to now travel around the country, like last night; I played to 3,000 people in a venue that was literally next door to where I would play pub covers to nobody listening. I was there three years ago with my acoustic guitar, and everyone was screaming at horses and barely listening. I used to watch people lining up at the venue next door, and I’d be like, ‘Imagine one day’. “Last night, I played to a packed house and toured with Morgan Evans , another hero of mine. It’s crazy. To be able to play those shows and see whole crowds of people sing my songs back to me and come up to me after and say, “Your story is like my story”, it’s just really cool.” Johnston’s popularity has been quick and emphatic, with many of his songs centred around the seemingly everyday experiences of being a parent, a husband and life on the land. With storytelling so foundational to the country genre, James’ ability to capture a feeling or message and convey it so earnestly has made him appeal to such a wide country audience. Johnston says when he sits down to write a song, there is no strategic thinking in creating something that is sure to connect with people. Instead, he made a commitment to himself when he started taking his music seriously that he would only speak his truth. When asked if his upcoming record would be more of the upbeat anthems he has come to be known for, he assures us it is but also hints that we can expect a broader range. “The record is a journey; that’s all I am going to say,” he teases. “There are 20 songs, and when you get to the end of the record, I think you will know me way more intimately. The record will make you want to dance, make you want to cry, and make you want to turn around and buy a little property in a small town somewhere. “The over-arching thing I say is that it is a celebration of a way of life. Raised Like That is just that – a celebration of being raised like that. There are topics that I touch on that are heavy, as things about living on the land are not always nice. But the over-arching message is being thankful for that way of life.” Johnston continues, “A lot of the music I have released up to date is pulled from my upbringing and growing up in a small town, growing up in the country and all the things that come with that. I think the album, a lot of the songs are the evolution of that – it goes from now, being a dad, and then getting back to my roots and reconnecting with my childhood, taking my family and being back in that environment and what that means now.” Track five on the album, This Land Is Killing Me tackles the historically high suicide rates in country towns, something that Johnston feels connected to. The song itself came to Johnston after a late-night call from a friend experiencing tough times facing the struggles of living on the land. Johnston’s father was also part of community groups in their country town that supported men of all ages facing similar situations. Johnston explains, “I have written a lot of songs with messages that I want to share, and I’m really excited that there are a few of those songs on there (the record). To be honest, I didn’t sit down to write them, thinking they would be my next single; I just wrote them because I felt like I had something to say at that time. “I was very content with them sitting between me and my guitar, and that’s the way I thought they would exist. It was only when I was putting the record together that I thought, ‘You know what, I am going to let some of these songs go and be a bit more open, a bit more vulnerable and share my story as well’.” Fans who fell for Johnston’s upbeat anthems can expect that same flavour when they listen to parts of the Raised Like That album or when seeing him on tour or at the Cruisin’ Country Festival . In fact, Johnston and Morgan Evans (who is touring with him) go way back and actually met at a local all-schools combined event, Star Struck , which was created to identify the next generation of music talent. Morgan, 16 at the time, took 12-year-old James under his wing and showed him the ropes, as it was the first time James was on a stage that big. Now, 20 years on, they are able to channel their decade of experience of growing up and performing in that Australian bar scene to deliver their fun, country-grown performances together. “That full circle moment of travelling with him and having these shows sell out once, twice and sometimes three times. It’s crazy. This feels like our home territory. Both our shows are high energy, and it’s cool because we are different artists, but there is a lot of positivity in the room when you come to a Morgan Evans and James Johnston show. Good vibes going around.” With Johnston receiving a Golden Guitar award for his Same Songs duet with Kaylee Bell, which features on the album, it’s clear that Johnston thrives when collaborating with friends and peers. When asked what it was like to collaborate with Zac and George on Some Things Never Change , he assured us that filming the clip was as organic and fun as it appears. “The amount of planning that went into making that video clip was just, ‘Hey, let’s go and shoot a music video at my old pub’. That’s about as much planning as we put in,” Johnston laughs. “We kind of let whatever happens happen. It was great because so many locals showed up, and this song is about connecting with old friends. “We were just sitting there having a beer, and the locals just kept topping up our beers and topping up our beers. In music videos, you often shoot the same clip five times or something, so every time we sat there, we would drink the beer, and then they would appear and top the beer up again. By the end of the clip, we were a bit toasted, but we had a good time. That’s what the whole song is about; it felt authentic.” Johnston is tight-lipped about any other collaborations that might be in the works, saying that he cannot announce anything but teases that we can add “yet”. When asked how his two young sons received the album at home, Johnston assures us that they aren’t too fussed. “I’m just plain old dad, to be honest. It’s funny; people always ask me how my kids feel about what I do and all that. But at the same time, my youngest, who is 18 months old, actually said his first sentence only two days ago, and the sentence was “I’m talking about my people”, which is one of my songs, My People . I was with my wife, and we said, ‘Did he just sing the lines to that song?’ So that was very cute; we might have a little rockstar on our hands. “There is also (another) song on this record that features my older boy, Coda , and it’s the first time he has ever sung before, and he’s actually singing on one of the songs. It’s really a story of being away from home and the challenges with family, and now he gets to be on that. It’s really nice. There is even a song on there that my wife and I wrote together. I’m excited; it feels like a piece of the family is in there.” “For me, I want to take people on a journey, and hopefully, they can see themselves and their story in some of my songs. They can also get to know me a bit better too. Hopefully, people like it, and if they don’t – I’m still really proud of it.” James Johnston’s ‘Raised Like That’ will be released on 29 September, with pre-orders available now. Johnston will perform at the 2023 edition of Savannah In The Round festival in Mareeba, Cairns Hinterland, on 6-8 October.

< Back 18 JANUARY 2023 Tamworth Country Music Festival: James Johnston nabs long list of Golden Guitar 2023 nominations JAMES Johnston has been in the music game since he was a child, but he's skyrocketed to the top of the country industry in the past year. ARTICLE BY: KEALI RUSSELL, SCENESTR JAMES Johnston has been in the music game since he was a child, but he's skyrocketed to the top of the country industry in the past year. He's up for six Golden Guitar awards in 2023 - and it's his first time even being nominated. The musician journeyed to the Tamworth Country Music Festival from the age of six until 16, from Wingham near Taree, where he grew up. "Mum and dad would be standing around feeding me Gatorades in the sweltering heat as I'd be busking for hours and hours," he said. "I'd spend a whole week here and then go home and count my 20 cent pieces." In true teenage fashion, at 16 years old, he decided he didn't like his parents' favourite genre anymore. "I just decided I didn't like country music anymore," he said. "Because you don't like what your parents like, right?" In 2009, he placed third in the seventh and final season of Australian Idol, and made the top 24 of the sixth season of X Factor Australia. He played in a funk band, and made acoustic folk music. But, he was pulled back to his roots. "Every single person around me was like, 'when are you gonna get back to country?' he said. "And finally, when I got back to country, it all started making sense." His debut release Raised Like That is the story of his upbringing growing up on a little property on the outskirts of town. "I wanted people just to get to know me a little bit better," he said. "And if you listen to that song, you get to know my story." During his experimentation in different genres, he felt he was always playing a character. "Whereas country, I'm a country boy. I'm just telling my story," he said. "All the songs that I put out, are just the stories of my life, and there is no facade, there's no creating a narrative or trying to be something. "Country music is all about authenticity." His experiences before he went back to country weren't defining moments in his career, he said. It wasn't until he released his own music that it kicked off. "All those little chapters throughout my life and throughout my musical career have allowed me to kind of do what I do now," he said. "But only until I started really telling my story, I started kind of building an audience that really loved my music." It's the musician's first time being nominated for a Golden Guitar award, and he's at the top of the list with three others - Adam Brand, Amber Lawrence and Casey Barnes - as the artist with the most nominations. The situation is "bizarre", he said. "When I found out that I had the most nominations, it was a pretty crazy experience," he said. His very first ticketed concert, being held at the TRECC on Wednesday January, 18 is sold out. The show is the festival event he's most excited about. "I've played festivals, I've played events all around the country, but it's the first time putting my own show on, and to get to do it at the TRECC is pretty special," he said. It's a big leap for an artist who only played Toyota Fanzone at the festival in April. Tamworth is part of his musical upbringing, but it's also full of nostalgia. His parents, who ran a business, were always busy, he said. "But that week it was no distractions, we'd stay in a cabin somewhere," he said. "It holds really important memories of my childhood. "I just remember those with such fondness that it was the time when not only I was playing music, but I was also with my family." Editor's note: This story has been updated to include the three other artists - Amber Lawrence, Adam Brand and Casey Barnes - who are also nominated for six Golden Guitars at Saturday night's awards ceremony at TRECC.

Let's Connect Contact This is your Contact section paragraph. Encourage your reader to reach out with any questions, comments or to take a different action specific to your site. BEAU THOMAS CHIEF ARTIST OFFICER JAMES JOHNSTON MANAGEMENT Address Shop 1, 195 Bolsover St, Rockhampton City QLD 4700, Australia Email beau@tobeartists.com Phone +61 (0) 437 148 782 Social Media JONO BLEAKLEY ARTIST MANAGER ZAC & GEORGE MANAGEMENT Phone +61 (0) 437 148 782 Email jono@tobeartists.com Social Media

< Back 01 JULY 2022 James Johnston and Kaylee Bell announce a new single 'SAME SONGS' Pre-Save to WIN a HOUSE CONCERT anywhere in the world! ARTICLE BY: KEALI RUSSELL, SCENESTR A first. A global friendly comp where a fan can WIN a HOUSE CONCERT by James Johnston and Kaylee Bell anywhere in the world! CLICK IMAGE TO PRE-SAVE

< Back 21 JANUARY 2023 A polished, golden new talent emerges in Tamworth James Johnston has swiftly become one of Australian country music’s leading lights, and he took home two Golden Guitar Awards in Tamworth including new talent of the year. ARTICLE BY: KEALI RUSSELL, SCENESTR Backstage at Tamworth’s biggest music venue on Wednesday afternoon, country singer-songwriter James Johnston was catching his breath after finishing a full production rehearsal. In a few hours, about 1900 people would gather to witness one of the best-selling concert debuts by an emerging artist in the history of the NSW city’s annual country music festival. And a few days later, on Saturday night at the Tamworth entertainment centre, Johnston stood to earn as many as six Golden Guitar Awards, as the year’s lead nominee – an impressive feat in a sector where change is usually slow. “This is the dream, to come and put your own show on,” Johnston, 32, told The Australian. “I was six years old when I started busking on Peel Street; I was just a kid with a guitar, playing Lee Kernaghan songs. I say it’s the dream, but you don’t even really think it’s going to happen, because it’s almost untouchable.” Born in the NSW town of Wingham and led by songs including his autobiographical single Raised Like That – which has racked up 11 million plays on Spotify alone – Johnston has swiftly become one of Australian country music’s leading lights. Backed by a three-piece band, his headline concert shone with the polish of an experienced performer. The capacity crowd skewed young, with plenty of children in attendance – a great sign for festival organisers, who have typically struggled to bridge the gap between family-friendly free events and ticketed shows attended by older crowds. Asked how he was preparing for the Golden Guitars, where Johnston was also among the performers, he had opted to keep his expectations low by reminding himself to enjoy the moment, no matter the outcome. The father of two said, “I just want to walk into that room, and if I don’t win a single one, I’m actually totally fine with that. If I win them all, I’ll be stoked, don’t get me wrong – but the truth is that it’s all just a chapter in the story.” “There’s so much to celebrate this week that if that one doesn’t fall my way, well, I’ve still had one hell of a week, haven’t I?” That he had, and on Saturday night, two awards fell Johnston’s way: he was named new talent of the year, and won vocal collaboration of the year for Same Songs, his track with Kaylee Bell . Gold Coast singer-songwriter Casey Barnes won album of the year for Light It Up, which was also the genre’s top-selling album of 2022. Elsewhere, the remaining awards were spread evenly across nominees, another positive sign of growth in a musical sector where well-known names tend to alternate years of racking up gold statues at the hands of industry voters. Andrew Swift and Amber Lawrence were named male and female artist of the year, respectively, while musical couple Brooke McClymont and Adam Eckersley won both song and single of the year for their tracks Star of the Show and Memory Lane. The annual awards capped the first Tamworth Country Music Festival to be held in its usual summer calendar spot since 2020. After several years of Covid-affected shuffling, organisers were pleased to see the town jumping with live music at all hours for 10 nights in January. The writer travelled to Tamworth as a guest of Tamworth Regional Council. 2023 Golden Guitar Award Winners Album of the Year: LIGHT IT UP Casey Barnes | Producers: Michael DeLorenzis and Michael Paynter Alt Country Album of the Year: LOOKS LIKE HEAVEN Kim Cheshire | Producer: Rod McCormack Contemporary Country Album of the Year: WISER Lyn Bowtell | Producer: Shane Nicholson Traditional Country Album of the Year: IN THE MOMENT Ashleigh Dallas | Producer: Brett Dallas Male Artist of the Year: ANDREW SWIFT Female Artist of the Year: AMBER LAWRENCE Group or Duo of the Year: BROOKE MCCLYMONT & ADAM ECKERSLEY Vocal Collaboration of the Year: JAMES JOHNSTON & KAYLEE BELL Same Songs Bush Ballad of the Year: OUT ON KILLARNEY Dean Perrett | Songwriter: Dean Perrett Heritage Song of the Year: SOUTH EAST QUEENSLAND Luke O’Shea | Songwriters: Luke O’Shea, Fred Smith, Mitchell Lynham Instrumental of the Year: SODA CAP BOOGIE The French Family Band Bluegrass Recording of the Year: GOOD MORNING MOON Kristy Cox New Talent of the Year: JAMES JOHNSTON Song of the Year: STAR OF THE SHOW Brooke McClymont & Adam Eckersley | Songwriters: Brooke McClymont, Adam Eckersley, Dan Biederman, Tiggy Heart Eckersley Video of the Year: SOUTH EAST QUEENSLAND Luke O’Shea | Director: Luke O’Shea, Jay Seeney Single of the Year: MEMORY LANE Brooke McClymont & Adam Eckersley Top Selling Album of the Year: LIGHT IT UP Casey Barnes

< Back 06 MAY 2022 James Johnston reveals new single 'COUNTRY BOYS' There’s no mountain too high for James Johnston. He’s just returned from performing alongside Lee Kernaghan at the 50th Tamworth Country Music Festival and Golden Guitar Awards; has amassed over 14M streams and counting; and recently celebrated his previous single ‘SMALL TOWN’ spending a remarkable 10 weeks at the #1 spot of the CountryTown Hot 50 airplay charts - an unparalleled feat for an Aussie artist in recent years. Now the breakout country star is back with his latest infectious anthem, ‘COUNTRY BOYS’. ARTICLE BY: KEALI RUSSELL, SCENESTR Despite Johnston’s meteoric rise he’s still as down to earth as it gets. Raised on the outskirts of the small town of Wingham, Johnston reminisces on his humble beginnings in ‘COUNTRY BOYS’ , singing, “We were building bonfires on Friday nights / we were chasing round them girls we liked.” It’s familiar territory for the ‘RAISED LIKE THAT’ singer, as he glorifies rural living. “COUNTRY BOYS is my childhood captured in a song,” beams Johnston . “From riding dirt bikes to losing summers swimming in the creek.” Johnston’s bold and modern sound on ‘COUNTRY BOYS’ was once again forged alongside frequent collaborator, Justin Wantz (USA). Johnston and Wantz produced the track between Nashville and Australia, with Johnston bringing sought after Sydney producer, Liam Quinn ( Guy Sebastian, Rita Ora ), into the fold to record his vocals. The praise for Johnston’s music from media and fans alike is evidenced by its massive success. His debut offering, ‘RAISED LIKE THAT’ , reached #1 on the CountryTown Hot 50 airplay charts and has passed 11M combined streams. It’s now regarded as the fastest streamed single by an Australian Country artist ever! Its follow up, ‘SMALL TOWN’ , was another home run for Johnston , reaching #1 again and holding the spot for 10 weeks , still featuring now in the Top 10 . Despite being a father to a growing family, Johnston still has time for a packed schedule of festivals throughout Australia. Appearing at Big Country Festival , Boots & Beach Festival , NQ’s Rock’n Country Music Festival , Gympie Music Muster , Savannah in the Round, and the enormous CMC Rocks , just to name a few. Johnston is set to perform to over 130 000 people across QLD, NSW and VIC in 2022. ‘COUNTRY BOYS’ , unearths how truly grateful and proud Johnston is of the upbringing he was gifted. It’s the kind of sentiment his rapidly growing fan base has come to love and respect. The song’s fresh and lively sound is perfect for a bonfire party in the middle of nowhere or a much-needed road trip along some country back roads. Make no mistake - James Johnston isn’t some flash in the pan - he’s the real deal. ‘COUNTRY BOYS’ is destined to be another smash hit for this country boy. CLICK SINGLE ARTWORK TO LISTEN ON YOUR PREFERRED MUSIC SERVICE

< Back 26 JANUARY 2023 GOLDEN GUITAR WINNER JAMES JOHNSTON RELEASES NEW SINGLE ‘GOT IT GOOD’ Australian Country music sensation James Johnston is back with his explosive new single, ‘GOT IT GOOD’. ARTICLE BY: KEALI RUSSELL, SCENESTR LISTEN HERE The track comes fresh off the back of his performance at the 2023 Tamworth Country Music Festival , where he played his debut headline show to a capacity crowd at TRECC - a show that was not only the largest ticketed concert at the festival, but also sold out in record time. Johnston also closed out the night at the 51 st Golden Guitar awards, where he performed his #1 hit single ‘SMALL TOWN’ and scooped up two Golden Guitar awards – New Talent of the Year and Vocal Collaboration of the Year for ‘SAME SONGS’ , a duet with Kaylee Bell . As a family man drawing inspiration for his music through his role as a husband and father to two young sons, ‘GOT IT GOOD’ is the kind of raise-the-roof country song Johnston’s ever-growing fanbase have come to love. Its groove is contagious; effortlessly finding the middle ground between country, rock and pop. Yet, behind its energetic exterior lies a poignant message of appreciation for life’s often overlooked gifts. “GOT IT GOOD is about appreciating the simple things in life and being grateful for what you have as you realise, these are the big things worth celebrating,” reveals James. “The perfect lives of others is just a perception and when you stop to acknowledge the little things you have in your life – a roof over your head, a job that pays the bills and a love waiting for you at home, you realise you’ve GOT IT GOOD.” The catchy bop was penned alongside, Melbourne producers Msquared ( Michael Delorenzis and Michael Paynter ) and Golden Guitar nominee Melanie Dyer . Its airtight production is also thanks to the Msquared team and marks Johnston’s first full collaboration with the duo. Since releasing the now ARIA certified gold and #1 radio hit ‘RAISED LIKE THAT’ in 2021, the singer from Wingham has enjoyed a rise to fame that can only be described as meteoric. Just 19 months into his career he’s amassed a whopping 32+ million streams, has achieved a further three x #1 radio airplay hits with ‘SMALL TOWN’ , ‘COUNTRY BOYS’ and ‘SAME SONGS’ , and was nominated for six Golden Guitar awards – two of which he took home last week. Quickly becoming one of the most sought after acts in Australian country music, Johnston has taken his “electrifying voice and array of feel-good country songs” - ( Newsport )to some of Australia’s biggest and most loved stages. With performances at CMC Rocks , Savannah in the Round , Berry’s Big Country , Gympie Music Muster and the Tamworth Country Music Festival in the last 12 months, he’s certainly ticked a few things off the bucket list. In April 2023 he’s slated to appear at Meatstock in Toowoomba, alongside country music giants Kasey Chambers and Brad Cox . James Johnston is undoubtedly the hottest topic in the Australian country music scene right now. His down-to-earth songs are instant party starters, as well as possessing heart-warming sentiments of life’s simple pleasures. ‘GOT IT GOOD’ has yet again proven that this artist is right at the top of his game with nowhere to go but up. DOWNLOAD AUDIO & MEDIA KIT HERE For radio and country media enquiries please contact: Jules Delemare - Wildheart Publicity E: jules@wildheartpublicity.com M : 0407 861 319 For TV, press and online enquiries please contact: Darryl Bailey – Six Boroughs Publicity E: darryl@sixboroughs.com.au M: 0423 563 894

< Back 27 NOVEMBER 2023 Review: James Johnston @ Venue 114 (Sunshine Coast) On the last night of his 'Raised Like That' tour, James Johnston reminded us all that we don't need much, just a song with a fiddle. ARTICLE BY: KEALI RUSSELL, SCENESTR Neon lights gleamed as the stars aligned at Sunshine Coast's Venue 144 (26 November). The crowd buzzed as they queued up for pizzas, merch and drinks, keen to be a part of the unforgettable night of country music that lay ahead. First to enter the stage with an irresistible blend of sass and power was the ever-amazing Bella Mackenzie. The moment she graced the spotlight, a collective hush descended upon the audience, surrendering to the enchanting fusion of her commanding vocals and the soulful twang of her guitar. The crowd swayed in unison to the resonance of her potent ballads and belted out the lyrics with fervour throughout her entire set. Treating the audience to a beloved cover of AC/DC's 'It's A Long Way To The Top', Bella had everyone primed and pumped for the following acts to grace the stage. Bella Mackenzie - image © KealiJoan Studios Next was the harmonious force of country music duo Zac & George, who illuminated the venue with their enchanting synergy and magnetic stage presence. The chemistry between the two was undeniable, and it was no shock to learn they've been best friends since they were 12. Whether crooning poignant ballads or infusing the space with the lively twang of an uptempo tune, and even a cover of The Script's 'Breakeven', the duo's performance was a captivating journey through the diverse landscapes of the country genre. Their live show wasn't just a musical performance; it was a shared experience that transported the audience into the heart of their storytelling. With tales of love, homesickness, and life, set to the backdrop of finely crafted melodies, Zac & George delivered a live performance that left an indelible mark. Zac & George - image © KealiJoan Studios With no hesitation, headliner James Johnston lit up the stage alongside an ensemble of musical maestros, each contributing their unique flair to the electrifying performance. The insanely energetic bassist, Steele, set the rhythm ablaze with infectious enthusiasm, while much-loved guitarist Dave skilfully wielded his strings, adding layers of melody to the sonic tapestry. Incredible drummer Troy anchored the performance with precision and power, driving the beats that resonated through the venue. Adding a touch of twang and authenticity, fiddle player Rachel weaved her magic into the musical landscape, infusing the air with the soul-stirring resonance of her strings. From the first chords of Johnston's breakthrough hit song 'Raised Like That', a sonic journey through the heart of country music unfolded. With each strum of the guitar and every heartfelt lyric, James painted an emotive landscape that resonated deeply with the audience. James Johnston - image © KealiJoan Studios He surprised the audience by bringing his good friends Zac & George onstage. As they adorned him with a party hat, the crowd eagerly joined in a spontaneous rendition of 'Happy Birthday' to celebrate James in style. The camaraderie continued as they seamlessly transitioned into their collaborative hit 'Some Things Never Change', which was filled with energy and shared laughs throughout the entire song. Adding a dash of mystery, James playfully teased the audience with an unreleased gem, a song co-written with country legend Lee Kernaghan. The crowd hung on every note, anticipating the day they could officially add it to their playlists. To elevate the excitement, James then invited opener Bella Mackenzie to the stage, creating a magical duet with his song 'Same Songs'. The energy soared as they dove into a medley of crowd favourites, sparking a friendly sing-along rivalry among the captivated audience. James Johnston - image © KealiJoan Studios In a poignant moment, James underscored the significance of family through his touching song 'Seeing You Soon'. The heartfelt lyrics delve into the challenges of touring and the profound longing for family. What added a uniquely emotional dimension was the inclusion of his son's vocals, a soul-stirring element that never fails to tug at the heartstrings of everyone in the audience. The grand finale, an encore featuring 'My People', turned the venue into a pulsating sea of energy, with the 2022 CMC anthem bringing the house down. This electric ending left everyone buzzing with the contagious energy that defined the entire show. James Johnston - image © KealiJoan Studios Beyond the music, the night served as a profound reminder of country music's timeless appeal. A genre capable of uniting generations, James' performance was a testament to the enduring magic of country tunes, creating an atmosphere where everyone, regardless of age, could revel in the joyous celebration of live music. The night wasn't just a concert; it was a jubilant testament to the universal charm of country music. More photos from the show.

Australian Country music sensation James Johnston is back with his explosive new single, ‘GOT IT GOOD’. < Back 26 JANUARY 2023 GOLDEN GUITAR WINNER JAMES JOHNSTON RELEASES NEW SINGLE ‘GOT IT GOOD’ Australian Country music sensation James Johnston is back with his explosive new single, ‘GOT IT GOOD’. ARTICLE BY TOBE ARTISTS LISTEN HERE The track comes fresh off the back of his performance at the 2023 Tamworth Country Music Festival , where he played his debut headline show to a capacity crowd at TRECC - a show that was not only the largest ticketed concert at the festival, but also sold out in record time. Johnston also closed out the night at the 51 st Golden Guitar awards, where he performed his #1 hit single ‘SMALL TOWN’ and scooped up two Golden Guitar awards – New Talent of the Year and Vocal Collaboration of the Year for ‘SAME SONGS’ , a duet with Kaylee Bell . As a family man drawing inspiration for his music through his role as a husband and father to two young sons, ‘GOT IT GOOD’ is the kind of raise-the-roof country song Johnston’s ever-growing fanbase have come to love. Its groove is contagious; effortlessly finding the middle ground between country, rock and pop. Yet, behind its energetic exterior lies a poignant message of appreciation for life’s often overlooked gifts. “GOT IT GOOD is about appreciating the simple things in life and being grateful for what you have as you realise, these are the big things worth celebrating,” reveals James. “The perfect lives of others is just a perception and when you stop to acknowledge the little things you have in your life – a roof over your head, a job that pays the bills and a love waiting for you at home, you realise you’ve GOT IT GOOD.” The catchy bop was penned alongside, Melbourne producers Msquared ( Michael Delorenzis and Michael Paynter ) and Golden Guitar nominee Melanie Dyer . Its airtight production is also thanks to the Msquared team and marks Johnston’s first full collaboration with the duo. Since releasing the now ARIA certified gold and #1 radio hit ‘RAISED LIKE THAT’ in 2021, the singer from Wingham has enjoyed a rise to fame that can only be described as meteoric. Just 19 months into his career he’s amassed a whopping 32+ million streams, has achieved a further three x #1 radio airplay hits with ‘SMALL TOWN’ , ‘COUNTRY BOYS’ and ‘SAME SONGS’ , and was nominated for six Golden Guitar awards – two of which he took home last week. Quickly becoming one of the most sought after acts in Australian country music, Johnston has taken his “electrifying voice and array of feel-good country songs” - ( Newsport )to some of Australia’s biggest and most loved stages. With performances at CMC Rocks , Savannah in the Round , Berry’s Big Country , Gympie Music Muster and the Tamworth Country Music Festival in the last 12 months, he’s certainly ticked a few things off the bucket list. In April 2023 he’s slated to appear at Meatstock in Toowoomba, alongside country music giants Kasey Chambers and Brad Cox . James Johnston is undoubtedly the hottest topic in the Australian country music scene right now. His down-to-earth songs are instant party starters, as well as possessing heart-warming sentiments of life’s simple pleasures. ‘GOT IT GOOD’ has yet again proven that this artist is right at the top of his game with nowhere to go but up. DOWNLOAD AUDIO & MEDIA KIT HERE For radio and country media enquiries please contact: Jules Delemare - Wildheart Publicity E: jules@wildheartpublicity.com M : 0407 861 319 For TV, press and online enquiries please contact: Darryl Bailey – Six Boroughs Publicity E: darryl@sixboroughs.com.au M: 0423 563 894

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