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< Back 22 NOVEMBER 2022 NSW Mid North Coast musician James Johnston leads 2023 Golden Guitar Awards nominations James Johnston is leading the pack for country music gongs with six nominations for the 51st Golden Guitar Awards. ARTICLE BY: KEALI RUSSELL, SCENESTR James Johnston is leading the pack for country music gongs with six nominations for the 51st Golden Guitar Awards. It is the first time the musician, who hails from Wingham, on the NSW Mid North Coast has been nominated for the prestigious country music awards. "I am still buzzing," he said. He is up for the Male Artist of the Year, New Talent of the Year and Song of the Year, among other categories. He said he found out this morning in a very unglamorous way. "I was watching the live stream while making breakfast with my kids," he said. He told ABC Radio he had been singing since he was four years old, and had been busking since he was six. "For me, country music was such a big part of up my upbringing," he said. He shared his first song 18 months ago, and his career has taken off. "Only when COVID hit, I really kind of decided that I wanted to bunker down and start telling my story," he said. Country music star Fanny Lumsden described the singer as a "sensation" while announcing the nominations on Tuesday. Johnston said his single Small Town, which is up for Song of the Year, Single of the Year and Video of the Year, was written on the side of the road. "I was leaving Brisbane and I was travelling back to the family farm and I just was so excited. It had been a little while, this was during COVID. "I wanted this to be a celebration of small communities and kind of what they represent and what they mean and just kind of getting back to your roots," he said. Country music legend Troy Cassar-Daley received eight nominations last year, but has not released any new music in the last year. But the list of nominees was not without big names. Adam Brand, Amber Lawrence and Casey Barnes picked up five nominations each.

< Back 29 SEPTEMBER 2023 JAMES JOHNSTON TO MAKE AUSTRALIAN MUSIC HISTORY THIS FRIDAY … BECAUSE HE WAS RAISED LIKE THAT ARTICLE BY: KEALI RUSSELL, SCENESTR When James Johnston released his debut single, ‘RAISED LIKE THAT’ two years ago, he never could have anticipated the whirlwind that followed. Six #1 airplay hits, 54.5 million global streams and two Golden Guitars later, James is easily Australia’s most exciting Country Music artist. This week the song that started it all has just been certified ARIA platinum. But there’s more. The bloke who grew up near the small town of Wingham in New South Wales, and sings of country life with an authenticity that makes a drover cry, a farmer sigh, a young jackaroo spin, a country girl smile and city folk wistful, will this Friday make Australian music history. His album RAISED LIKE THAT (The Album) releases on Friday and will be Australia’s largest debut Country album ever, a body of work featuring 20 extraordinary tracks and a heartfelt celebration of country living. His sound is modern and unique with driving guitars, pounding drums and his gravelly vocal centre stage. He works his boots off. The stunning debut contains moments that revel in joy and nostalgia, yet dares to dwell on the real hardship and adversity that faces so many people living in the country and on the land. There’s anthems that will fill dancefloors and raise hands in the air, and quiet stories of empowerment, hardship and love that will bring tears to knowing eyes. His words are lived-in and he sings with incredible heart because he was raised like that and he did grow up there. What’s more, James is a helluva live performer, having spent the past two years touring and performing on stages from Mount Isa to Melbourne, and all stops in between; he’s as at home in a studio as he is on the back of a semi-trailer in Deniliquin (where he happens to be this weekend). “I wanted to share songs about the good but also the often less talked about side of country life. When it’s all said and done, I hope this album makes you feel proud of where you call home,” said James. “ Music has forever been the way I can express myself in the most honest way possible,” admits the singer-songwriter. “I’ve always loved albums that allow the listener to truly get to know an artist. RAISED LIKE THAT, is that for me.” James called on his mates and longtime collaborators to realise his epic vision for RAISED LIKE THAT . Nashville-based hit-maker, Justin Wantz , racks up production credits on a mammoth 17 tracks, alongside Australia’s Gavin Carfoot and Liam Quinn , while Ilya Toshinskiy steps in to produce the rousing, ‘WE GREW UP ON’. While nine of the debut’s tracks were penned by Johnston alone, he shares songwriting duties with the other 11with long-time collaborator, Nolan Wynn , producers Michael DeLorenzis and Michael Paynter and fellow artists Kaylee Bell, Jared Porter, Melanie Dyer , and Zac and George , among others. The empowering, ‘A COUNTRY GIRL CAN’, even credits Johnston’s wife, Taliarose Johnston . Songs like ‘I STILL CALL IT HOME’ and ‘GOOD TO BE BACK’ celebrate small town values, while the more intimate, ‘THIS LAND IS KILLING ME’ highlights the trials and tribulations of life on the land. Songs like ‘GOT IT GOOD’ and ‘SEEING YOU SOON’ (featuring James’ eldest son, Koda) allow listeners to have a more personal look into James’ life, in which he shares the love and admiration he has for his wife and two boys but also the struggles of being away on the road. Life on the road has been rigorous for Johnston, having just completed a national tour with Australian heavyweight, Morgan Evans . The star has appeared at countless festivals – CMC Rocks, Berry’s Big Country, Gympie Music Muster, Meatstock, Tamworth Country Music Festival – you name it! He’s soon slated to light up stages at the rowdy, Deni Ute Muster and Far North QLDs, Savannah in The Round. Since releasing his debut single, Johnston has amassed a jaw-dropping 54.5 million global streams. Not only that, but his six #1 airplay hits have earned him a run of 110 consecutive weeks in the Top 20 of the Country Hot 50 National airplay chart. He’s been nominated for a QMA Award, an APRA Music Award and was a 2023 Rolling Stone Australia Award nominee for Best New Talent. But all his hard work was rewarded in January when he received two Golden Guitar Awards – New Talent of The Year and Vocal Collaboration of the Year. RAISED LIKE THAT (The Album) releases on Friday 29th September 2023. About the songs in James’ words…. RAISED LIKE THAT – a song that captures my story and those of the people and places that shaped me to be the person I am today. RAISED LIKE THAT tells the story of community, integrity, and a celebration to a way of life of people who grew up in a small community. The anthemic production and lyrics are reminiscent of Eric Church and Kip Moore and the track is undeniably infectious. KEEPIN IT COUNTRY – tips its hat to the rockin’ live country bands of the 90’s! With chicken pickin’ guitar solos to wailing fiddles, KEEPIN IT COUNTRY is sure to be a dance floor filler at the local honky tonk. COUNTRY BOYS – the story of the way I would spend weekends growing up in the country! From riding dirt bikes to loosing summers swimming in the creek, COUNTRY BOYS is my childhood wrapped up into one song! SMALL TOWN GIRL – is about finding yourself back in your hometown and finding the one! From buying up dirt, to cranking up Garth, she reminds you of all that you love about that life in a small town. THIS LAND IS KILLING ME – after a phone call late one night from an old friend of mine, I sat down and penned this one. The song tells the story of a farmer calling his friend to confide in his emotional desperation and tell that not all is okay. THIS LAND IS KILLING ME holds a message that life on the land is hard and the importance of reaching out to friends when times are tough to help you get through. WORTH ITS WEIGHT IN GOLD – I was born and raised on my family farm in regional NSW. This is the story of a real-estate investor coming to buy the family property without respect to the history that the land holds. Its powerful cinematic style production paints a vivid picture evoking a deep seeded pain that echoes throughout the song. WE GREW UP ON – anyone that grew up in the country knows that one of the best days was when you got your first car. It was more than just a car; it was your first taste of real freedom. Turn it up! GOOD TO BE BACK – paints the picture of driving back through your little hometown and pulling up in the drive to a life that holds the memories of your childhood. It’s a feeling I know all too well, growing up on a small rural property. GROWING UP – follows the story from young love to settling down, to passing on the lessons learnt through that journey to the next generation. It’s a lifetime in one song. SOME THINGS NEVER CHANGE (+ Zac & George) – Zac & George and I wanted to make a song about old mates reconnecting, and this is a celebration of those friendships that last forever. I wrote SOME THINGS NEVER CHANGE in Nashville just before I flew home to Australia, listening back to the demo on the plane ride home, I knew we had captured something special. GOT IT GOOD – a celebration of the simple things in life. The roof over your head, the job that pays the bills and the love that’s waiting for you at home. OLD COUNTRY BARN – I wrote this on a long drive from Brisbane to Tamworth with nothing but the steering wheel to make the beat. This track can be blasted just as loud at home in a country hoedown as it can at a rocking festival. ANYTHING LIKE ME – inspired by the birth of my first-born son, as a lot of parents ask themselves, what will their child’s future look like and will they follow in their own footsteps. It’s my own life, a universal story of growing up with its ups and downs. The song comes full circle with the final statement “I can’t tell the future so I’ll have to wait and see, if this boy will be ANYTHING LIKE ME” SEEING YOU SOON (Ft Koda) – after spending so long on the road travelling between shows, I yearned to get back home to see my family. This is the story of the long drive to see my young boy KODA who features on the track. WORLD UNDER MY TYRES – 16, and a full tank of gas! WORLD UNDER MY TYRES is the story of taking off with your best mate to hit the open road for the first time. COUNTRY GIRL CAN – a song for the country girls and inspired from comments on my TikTok from country girls around the world after I put the question out there, what makes a country girl a country girl. I then went through 1000’s of comments to shape A COUNTRY GIRL CAN. SMALL TOWN – I wrote this one on the drive back home to Wingham. I had been spending quite some time in the city and I was just so excited to get back to my family farm. I think so often when you grow up in a small town you think there is something so much bigger and better out there. Only until you step away you realise the magic of a small town and a close community. My family farm is still on the outskirts of my small town of Wingham and it’s still one of my favourite things to go back to. SAME SONGS (+ Kaylee Bell) – a celebration of the music that defined a generation. Grown from a single TikTok video, SAME SONGS is my first collaboration. When I reached out to fans on who they’d like to see me collaborate with I was inundated with requests to partner up with Kaylee on this song and she rose to the challenge writing a verse that is tribute to the female artists that she grew up on. MY PEOPLE – a song about the spirit of a country music festival! Rolling up in your ute with your best mates to see your favourite bands! I grew up with great artists like Garth Brooks, Alan Jackson and Brooks and Dunn and I have always wanted a song reminiscent of these artists. MY PEOPLE was recorded using a live band in Nashville and includes the iconic elements of fiddle and harmonica found in so many of the great country songs of the 90s. I STILL CALL IT HOME – When I was 17, I left my little hometown to chase the dream of music, but wherever I go that little, small town will always be home. I STILL CALL IT HOME is that story. The line ‘Proud to say where I come from’ emphasises the strong connection I still have to the place that shaped me into the artist I am today. Website: www.jamesjohnston.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/jamesjohnstonmusic Instagram: www.instagram.com/jamesjohnstonmusic TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@jamesjohnstonmusic YouTube: www.youtube.com/jamesjohnstonmusic FOR bookings and or management enquiries, please contact Beau Thomas (TOBE ARTISTS) on 0437 148 782 or email beau@tobeartists.com FOR interviews or more, please contact Kath Rose on 0416 291 493 or email kath@kathrose.com

< Back 01 JULY 2022 'COUNTRY BOYS' goes #1 at Country Radio in Australia 8 weeks after release, James Johnston's 'COUNTRY BOYS' goes #1 at Country Radio in Australia. ARTICLE BY: KEALI RUSSELL, SCENESTR 3rd single released to Country Radio in Australia by Johnston and 3rd single to go #1 . Read more here by COUNTRYTOWN CLICK SINGLE ARTWORK TO LISTEN ON YOUR PREFERRED MUSIC SERVICE

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

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 . LATEST TOBE ARTISTS NEWS JAMES JOHNSTON ZAC & GEORGE JAMES JOHNSTON 1/2

< Back 4 NOVEMBER 2022 Hot 50 Chart: James Johnston and Kaylee Bell Reach #1 'Same Songs' by James Johnston and Kaylee Bell hits #1! ARTICLE BY: KEALI RUSSELL, SCENESTR Same Songs by James Johnston and Kaylee Bell hits #1 for the first time on the Countrytown Hot 50 Country Airplay Chart . One Of Them Nights by Travis Collins is up at #2 , ahead of Brown Eyes Baby by Keith Urban (#3) and The Kind of Love We Make by Luke Combs (#4). At #5 is Party Mode by Dustin Lynch , followed by Both by Taylor Moss (#6), Rock And A Hard Place by Bailey Zimmerman (#7), She Had Me At Heads Carolina by Cole Swindell (#8) and Small Town by Casey Barnes – which jumps an impressive ten spaces to hit the top 10! Rounding out the top 10 is Thank God by Kane Brown with Katelyn Brown . Songs gaining momentum include Hangman by Darlinghurst (#21), Son Of A Sinner by Jelly Roll (#23) and That’s What Tequila Does by Jason Aldean (#27). Meanwhile, the week’s highest new entry is Out Of Our Hands by Brad Butcher and Helen Shanahan (#33). Over For You by Morgan Evans (#37) and Something In The Orange by Zach Bryan (#48) also debut. Bar High by Southbound xo (#31), Nothing But Wild by Amy Sheppard (#35), Saved by Ella & Sienna (#36), Country Boys by James Johnston (#38), You Proof by Morgan Wallen (#39), What Brought You Back by Brad Cox (#42) and Living For The Highlights by Amber Lawrence featuring Darlinghurst (#47) return to the charts. Follow our COUNTRYTOWN playlists on Spotify including the entire Hot 50 list now. Check out the whole Country Hot 50 here .

< 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

< Back 7 FEBRUARY 2023 Country music star James Johnston talks success of 2023 so far It's already been a big start to 2023 for Wingham born country music singer James Johnston. ARTICLE BY: KEALI RUSSELL, SCENESTR LISTEN HERE It's already been a big start to 2023 for Wingham born country music singer James Johnston. Two Golden Guitar wins, a sold out headlining show and there's lots in store for him the rest of the year including the release of his newest song Got It Good. Anna Moulder caught up with James to hear about his successful start to the year.

< Back 27 SEPTEMBER 2022 Clayton Anderson and James Johnston Take Home Top Honours At Unsigned Only Music Competition Unsigned Only is now accepting entries for the 2023 competition. ARTICLE BY: KEALI RUSSELL, SCENESTR The winners of the US-based Unsigned Only Music Competition have been announced – including those in country music. A total of 12 country artists garnered wins in the 2022 competition. Established in 2012, Unsigned Only has become an important source for discovering new talent and acts as a benchmark for excellence in the arena of contemporary music. Winners were selected from almost 7,000 entries from all over the world by a judging panel of high-profile music artists and industry experts. More than $150,000 in cash and prizes is awarded to a total of 38 winners, including $20K (US) in cash to the Grand Prize winner. The winning songs can be heard at www.unsignedonly.com/winners . Taking home First Place in the country category is Clayton Anderson for Let Me Go . A Bedford, IN native but currently living in Nashville, Anderson is a product of his upbringing: a hard-working, salt of the earth, country singer/songwriter from the heartland – and loaded with talent. His story is one that started in the Midwest but moved to Music City, USA and beyond. From winning Kenny Chesney ’s ‘Next Big Star’ battle of the bands to opening for many of country music’s luminaries to headlining tours, Anderson has also landed high-profile placements for a string of singles. He recently released a new album, Made In The USA , his most introspective album yet. The album includes his winning song Let Me Go , which recounts the stunning shock of heartbreak; the accompanying video was recently released as a CMT World premiere. Second Place is awarded to James Johnston (Wingham, NSW, Australia) for Raised Like That . A fast-rising star in his home country of Australia, Johnston first became known to his fans through his appearance on Australian Idol . A subsequent trip to Nashville fuelled his musical passion, and in 2021 he released his debut single Raised Like That which tells the story of community, integrity, and a celebration to a way of life of people who grow up in a small close-knit community. It became a multi-platform hit and is the fastest ever debut single by an Australian-based country artist to reach one million streams. The song peaked at #1 on the Countrytown Hot 50 Country Airplay Chart and #4 on the Australian Independent chart. It was certified gold in Australia last year, and in doing so, Johnston became the first independent country artist to achieve this milestone in more than 20 years. Johnston is also the winner in Unsigned Only’s special promotion, Get Published. Over the years, Unsigned Only has honoured many other great country artists, including Grammy nominee Ingrid Andress , the competition’s Grand Prize winner in 2016. Since then, she has gone on to become one of country music’s most respected and venerated new country artists. About winning Unsigned Only, Andress said, “You always hear about this happening to other people, but I never thought it would happen to me. It’s such an amazing and rare opportunity to have people care about you and your music. It’s very inspiring to feel supported by an organization (Unsigned Only) who just want you to do well because of your music ability and your love for your art.” “Hopefully these winners will achieve the same kind of success as Ingrid Andress. They are already making their mark on the country music landscape,” said Unsigned Only founders Candace Avery and Jim Morgan . “Their authenticity and talent exemplify exactly what country music fans are looking for, and we are so pleased to honour them and their remarkable artistry.” The overall 2022 Grand Prize is awarded to the multi-talented, up-and-coming rapper Tia P. Hailing from Inglewood, CA, she is also a skilled singer, songwriter, producer, actress, and drummer. Influenced by artists such Missy Elliott , Lauren Hill , and Pharrell Williams , she is the voice of a new generation embodied in the soul of the old.

< Back 22 JANUARY 2023 JAMES JOHNSTON CONTINUES METEORIC RISE WITH TWO GOLDEN GUITAR AWARDS Last night in Tamworth NSW, Australia’s spiritual home of country music, a boyhood dream was realised. ARTICLE BY: KEALI RUSSELL, SCENESTR Last night in Tamworth NSW, Australia’s spiritual home of country music, a boyhood dream was realised. The Wingham born, now Queensland based James Johnston took home two Golden Guitar Awards for New Talent of the Year and Vocal Collaboration of the Year for ‘SAME SONGS’ , a duet with Kaylee Bell. “I’m just so blown away to have won a golden guitar, let alone two”, Johnston said after the win. “So many of my heroes have stood on that stage to receive this award and to now have two of my own is pretty special!” It’s an incredible result for Johnston who released his ARIA Gold selling debut single ‘RAISED LIKE THAT’ in 2021 and has now amassed 32 million streams across his single releases making him one of the most popular and exciting new artists on the Australian music landscape right now. But what seems like an overnight success for James Johnston is only telling part of his journey. James spent his early years hopping from farm-to-farm with his dad, selling and servicing tractors. With hours spent on the road travelling, James was introduced to great artists like Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings and Garth Brooks and at just four years of age, James hit the stage for the very first time, performing ‘Friends in Low Places’ in front of his kindergarten class. From that moment on James’s future was set, he was a born performer. Throughout his teens, James and his family would spend most weekends travelling and performing on any stage that would take him. In 2008, James graduated from high school, bought a van and set out on the great Australian road trip, playing every little town and every pub he could find. Opportunities with Australian Idol and The X Factor came his way, giving Johnston valuable experience and further shaping him as an artist and performer. After a few years of living show-to-show, James needed inspiration and what better place to find it than where the soundtrack of his youth came from, Nashville Tennessee. It was this experience which changed him forever. James didn’t realise it at the time but for all the gigs he’d played, all the roads he’d travelled and all the people he’d met, the experiences were stored inside him. In Nashville, they poured out as songs. 300 songs in fact. James finally found his voice as a songwriter. Since his debut release of ‘RAISED LIKE THAT’ Johnston has had another three #1 country radio songs with ‘SMALL TOWN’ , ‘COUNTRY BOYS’ and 'SAME SONGS' . The fruits of James’ labour have well and truly paid off. His ever growing legion of fans have been connecting to his authenticity as a songwriter as well as his road-hardened electric performances such as his show stealing sets at CMC Rocks Queensland and Savannah in The Round in 2022. It was a very proud James Johnston who took to the stage last Wednesday at the Tamworth Regional Entertainment and Conference Centre for his first ever a sold out headline performance, the largest ticketed show at the festival. But of course, Johnston is only just getting started! 2023 will be a big year for the artist starting with his new single ‘GOT IT GOOD’ released this Thursday 26th January. The anticipation has reach fever pitch ever since Johnston started previewing the song on New Year’s Day. With thousands of pre-saves for ths single already, ‘GOT IT GOOD’ is set to be James’ biggest release yet. When asked what’s install for 2023, Johnston said: “This year I’m excited to release a lot more music and get out and bring my show to the people. That has always been my passion, getting out across the country to play shows and meeting the people that have been on this ride with me. 2023 has certainly kicked off in a big way!”

< 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