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< 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 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 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.

< 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 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 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 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 19 NOVEMBER 2021 James Johnston drives home his new ‘SMALL TOWN’ Over 5 million streams (and counting), a #1 airplay hit with a debut single release, top of Spotify’s Fresh Country playlist for a record 18 weeks, and over 8,000 fans utilising ‘RAISED LIKE THAT’ on their Tik Tok’s. Heck, if this is any indication, James Johnston has well and truly arrived and is set to blow the doors off the country music worlds hinges with the release of his second single ‘SMALL TOWN’. ARTICLE BY: KEALI RUSSELL, SCENESTR A country boy born and bred in Wingham; James Johnston has built a sound that is capturing the hearts of listeners everywhere. His latest single ‘SMALL TOWN’ is a song of yearning: to return to his roots, away from the bright lights of the city skyline to the endless starlight of the bush. A sentiment his loyal fanbase are sure to resonate with. Produced by Elijah Cavanagh of Cavanagh Films, the video for ‘SMALL TOWN’ was shot on the outskirts of Gatton in Queensland, to capture the simple pleasure of a country bonfire party. “The story line follows the journey of a young country guy who was working in the city returning to his roots”, explains Johnston . “We threw a big party with a bunch of friends and just captured the magic.” Johnston’s writing is unique and familiar all at once, with a modern unique sound. On the writing of the song, Johnston says: “I wrote ‘Small Town’ on the drive back home to my hometown of 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 wanted to capture that feeling of excitement and anticipation in the song - that build up as I was on that drive to get back home.” Produced by Justin Wantz in Nashville, ‘SMALL TOWN’ follows on from ‘RAISED LIKE THAT’ , a debut single that has seen Johnston garner extensive national airplay leading to a #1 hit single on TMN CountryTown Hot 50 airplay charts. With over 5 million streams, ‘RAISED LIKE THAT’ is now regarded as the fastest streamed single by an Australian Country artist ever. Johnston’s recent activity on the live circuit has seen him play to huge crowds garnering stand out reviews. From performances at Pro Bull Riding events, to festival’s including Bush to Bay Festival and Savannah In The Round , the praise has been encouraging with Mareeba Express stating “Performing at his first ever festival, Johnston – the voice behind the massive breakout hit ‘RAISED LIKE THAT’ was exceptional during his main stage performance on Friday afternoon. This man is going places. Make no mistake – this man is headed for a career in Nashville.” Despite the accolades, Johnston is still the level-headed, unassuming and approachable country guy he has always been. “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” , Johnston says. ‘SMALL TOWN’ is a road-trip anthem, perfect for singing out loud with the windows down, by an artist who is going places – and fast. With Apple Music announcing Johnston as the first Australian country artist to feature in the ‘Up Next’ local program, geared towards identifying and showcasing rising talent across Australia and New Zealand, Johnston is making an indelible mark on the music scene. He’s an artist that is set to be the soundtrack of this summer, and many more to come. CLICK SINGLE ARTWORK TO LISTEN ON YOUR PREFERRED MUSIC SERVICE

< 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 22 NOVEMBER 2022 Road to success: Tamworth nod the ticket to singer’s future Country singer-songwriter James Johnston has sold out the biggest venue in Tamworth for his festival debut | GOLDEN GUITAR NOMINEES ARTICLE BY: KEALI RUSSELL, SCENESTR Heading into the annual summer festival held in Tamworth, James Johnston was hoping to sell a few tickets to his debut headline show at the capital of Australian country music. Trying to drum up interest in the live arena is a rite of passage for all performers, but it’s a desire that often goes unfulfilled, especially when artists have only released a handful of songs. The singer-songwriter was thrilled, then, to achieve his goal two months out from his January 18 concert – but this will be no small pub gig. “I’ve been lucky that I’ve played around the country, playing events and festivals,” Johnston, 31, told The Australian. “But for my very first ticketed show, I decided that I wanted to go big: what’s the biggest venue in Tamworth? Let’s try to sell that out.” Go big he did: Johnston’s sold-out gig is at the 1600-capacity entertainment centre known as TRECC, where only the biggest names in country music tend to play, such as veterans Troy Cassar-Daley and Lee Kernaghan. That same venue space will host the annual Golden Guitar Awards on January 21, and Johnson learned on Tuesday that he is the lead nominee, as a finalist in six categories including best new talent and song of the year. Speaking with The Australian last week, before the nominations were announced, Johnston was keeping a lid on his ambitions for the sector’s annual gathering. “I would say ‘hopes and dreams’, not expectations,” he said with a laugh. “I used to go to the Golden Guitars, and most of my country music heroes have stood up on that stage, so I’d be honoured if one day I get to do the same thing.” With six nominations, Johnston leads some highly esteemed colleagues: both Amber Lawrence and Adam Brand are up for five awards, as is Gold Coast country rocker Casey Barnes, while Tamworth local Ashleigh Dallas has four nominations. Since releasing his debut single, Raised Like That , in September last year, Johnston has amassed millions of Spotify streams and skilfully built an audience on video platform TikTok, where he has 195,000 followers . Having appeared on Australian Idol in 2009, when he placed third, then on The X-Factor in 2014, the artist from the NSW mid-north-coast town of Wingham knows how fickle the music business can be. “From being on reality TV shows to playing a thousand dirty pub gigs with a mate around Australia, I pull every one of those experiences into my live show and into my songwriting today,” he said. There’s another facet of his life that he doesn’t shy away from showing on social media , either: as a happily married father. “Trust me, there’s been plenty of people in the music industry that told me I should hide that part of my story,” he said. “I’ve gone, ‘Stuff that: I’m going to tell my story’,” said Johnston. “I am a proud family man, I’m a dad of two, and I love my wife. I’m proud of that part of my story, and I want to share all of it.” Toyota 51st Golden Guitar Awards 2023 Nominees APPLE MUSIC SINGLE OF THE YEAR All Or Nothing – Adam Brand Memory Lane – Brooke McClymont & Adam Eckersley Get To Know Ya – Casey Barnes Small Town – James Johnston Sing Along Drink Along – Morgan Evans CMT VIDEO OF THE YEAR Star Of The Show – Brooke McClymont & Adam Eckersley – Directed by Brad Murnane Small Town – James Johnston – Directed by Elijah Cavanagh South East Queensland – Luke O’Shea – Directed by Luke O’Shea and Jay Seeney Something Good’s Gonna Happen – The Wolfe Brothers featuring Amy Sheppard – Directed by Jay Seeney One Of Them Nights – Travis Collins – Directed by Jay Seeney VOCAL COLLABORATION OF THE YEAR James Johnston & Kaylee Bell – Same Songs Kirsty Lee Akers, Amber Lawrence and Ashleigh Dallas – Let The Girls Sing Lee Kernaghan, Mitch Tambo and Isaiah Firebrace – Come Together Lyn Bowtell & Shane Nicholson – Wiser Melanie Dyer & Caitlyn Shadbolt – Dumb Decisions INSTRUMENTAL OF THE YEAR Dust – Angus Gill & Pixie Jenkins Burning Mountain – Michael Carpenter and The Banks Brothers featuring Hamish Davidson Fidget Spinner – Mickey Pye Clippety Clop – Pete Denahy Soda Cap Boogie – The French Family Band BLUEGRASS RECORDING OF THE YEAR Sweet Sister Jasmine – Angus Gill Good Morning Moon – Kristy Cox Until This Song Ends – Lynchburg & The Weeping Willows Road Man – Michael Carpenter and The Banks Brothers House Of Sin – The Weeping Willows HERITAGE SONG OF THE YEAR I’m Coming Home – Written by Amber Lawrence and Katrina Burgoyne – Recorded by Amber Lawrence Listen to the Country – Written and Recorded by Angus Gill & Kevin Bennett Bogswamp – Written by Josh Cunningham – Recorded by Felicity Urquhart & Josh Cunningham Come Together – Written by Lee Kernaghan, Mitch Tambo, Isaiah Firebrace, Nicholas Wolfe, Colin Buchanan and Garth Porter – Recorded by Lee Kernaghan, Mitch Tambo and Isaiah Firebrace South East Queensland – Written by Luke O’Shea, Fred Smith and Mitchell Lynham – Recorded by Luke O’Shea BUSH BALLAD OF THE YEAR Sometimes It’s Your Job – Written by Allan Caswell, Manfred Vijars and Lindsay Waddington – Recorded by Allan Caswell Ghostly Gums – Written by Kath Stewart, David Carter, Angela Bristow-Baohm and Andy Penkow – Recorded by Andy Penkow Waiting for the Boss – Written by Angus Gill, Alan Mackey & Mary O’Brien – Recorded by Angus Gill featuring Anne Kirkpatrick Out on Killarney – Written and recorded by Dean Perrett Family Tree – Written by Rod McCormack, Dianne Lindsay and Peter Simpson – Recorded by Dianne Lindsay NEW TALENT OF THE YEAR Blake Dantier Cass Hopetoun James Johnston Max Jackson Taylor Moss COUNTRY MUSIC CAPITAL NEWS GROUP OR DUO OF THE YEAR Brooke McClymont & Adam Eckersley Lachlan Bryan and The Wildes McAlister Kemp The Buckleys The Weeping Willows MALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR Adam Brand Andrew Swift Casey Barnes James Johnston Morgan Evans FEMALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR Amber Lawrence Ashleigh Dallas Hayley Jensen Lyn Bowtell Melanie Dyer SONG OF THE YEAR All Or Nothing – Written by Adam Brand, Nicholas Wolfe and Tom Wolfe – Recorded by Adam Brand Star Of The Show – Written by Brooke McClymont, Adam Eckersley and Robby De Sa – Recorded by Brooke McClymont & Adam Eckersley Small Town – Written by Casey Barnes, Michael DeLorenzis and Michael Paynter – Recorded by Casey Barnes Small Town – Written by James Johnston and Nolan Wynne – Recorded by James Johnston South East Queensland – Written by Luke O’Shea, Fred Smith and Mitchell Lynham – Recorded by Luke O’Shea ALT COUNTRY ALBUM OF THE YEAR Dead Men Tell No Tales – Allison Forbes – Produced by Matt Fell Strength Of A Queen – Andy Golledge – Produced by John Vella & Ryan Miller Tug of War – Jenny Mitchell – Produced by Matt Fell Looks Like Heaven – Kim Cheshire – Produced by Rod McCormack You Reap What You Sow – The Weeping Willows – Produced by Andrew Wrigglesworth & Laura Coates CONTEMPORARY COUNTRY ALBUM OF THE YEAR All Or Nothing – Adam Brand – Produced by Adam Brand, Vesa Matara, Benjy Pocock and Luke Wooten Living For The Highlights – Amber Lawrence – Produced by Stuart Stuart Light It Up – Casey Barnes – Produced by Michael DeLorenzis and Michael Paynter Silver Linings – Kaylee Bell – Produced by Simon Oscroft, Andy Mak and Joseph Faris Wiser – Lyn Bowtell – Produced by Shane Nicholson TRADITIONAL COUNTRY ALBUM OF THE YEAR In The Moment – Ashleigh Dallas – Produced by Brett Dallas Dry Season – Blake Dantier – Produced by Simon Johnson Shades of Blue – Kristy Cox – Produced by Jerry Salley Mr Goodtime – Michael Carpenter and The Banks Brothers – Produced by Michael Carpenter Travelling Heart – TC Cassidy – Produced by Angus Gill TOYOTA ALBUM OF THE YEAR All Or Nothing – Adam Brand – Produced by Adam Brand, Vesa Matara, Benjy Pocock and Luke Wooten Living For The Highlights – Amber Lawrence – Produced by Stuart Stuart In The Moment – Ashleigh Dallas – Produced by Brett Dallas Light It Up – Casey Barnes – Produced by Michael DeLorenzis and Michael Paynter Silver Linings – Kaylee Bell – Produced by Simon Oscroft, Andy Mak and Joseph Faris

< Back 01 FEBRUARY 2023 James Johnston nominated for Rolling Stone - Best New Artist Amy Shark, The Wiggles & Kylie Minogue Among 2023 Shure Rolling Stone Australia Awards Nominees The Rolling Stone Australia Awards will return to Sydney on April 4th for a night to celebrate Australian music ARTICLE BY: KEALI RUSSELL, SCENESTR Rolling Stone Australia has today unveiled the likes of Amy Shark and The Wiggles as nominees for this year’s Rolling Stone Australia Awards, which return to Sydney on April 4th for a party in honour of Australian music. Among the nominees vying for top honours are global hitmakers and breakthrough stars. Multi-Platinum singer-songwriter Vance Joy leads the stellar list with three nominations for Best Record, Best Single, and the coveted Rolling Stone Global Award. Meanwhile, rising star Budjerah, global phenomenon The Wiggles, triple j darlings Spacey Jane, international touring juggernauts Gang of Youths, and king of country Keith Urban also have multiple nominations this year. The past 12 months have seen the rise and rise of many incredible new Australian artists, all capturing the attention of music lovers and tastemakers. Up for Best New Artist this year are Blake Rose, Budjerah, Eliza & The Delusionals, Forest Claudette, James Johnston, Lara D, Merci, Mercy, and Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers. Each year Rolling Stone Australia invites international editorial teams, including editors from Rolling Stone US and Rolling Stone UK, to vote in the Rolling Stone Global Award category. Nominated this year are Alison Wonderland, Gang of Youths, Iggy Azalea, Keith Urban, Kylie Minogue, Rüfüs Du Sol, Tash Sultana, The Wiggles, Tones And I, Troye Sivan and Vance Joy. The annual awards introduce multiple new sponsors this year, including headline partner Shure alongside Australis, Canna, Panhead, JMC Academy and Jim Beam. Poppy Reid, Editor-in-Chief at Rolling Stone Australia publisher The Brag Media, said: “We take great pride in the fact that, by hosting our third annual Rolling Stone Australia Awards, we get to play a part in recognising Australian music’s growth. Our partnership with Shure was organic. We both share a love for local music and we’re so excited to showcase the energising spirit of Australia with a night to remember on April 4. I am immensely proud to be part of the team pushing local acts worldwide through our awards judging process, and our editorial partnership with Rolling Stone parent company PMC.” Will Repanellis, Head of Marketing at Jands, said of Shure’s sponsorship: “It’s fantastic that we can bring together two iconic music industry brands, with a combined 153 years of championing Australian music, at this year’s Shure Rolling Stone Australia Awards.” In the weeks ahead, Rolling Stone Australia will reveal this year’s hosts, performers and the nominees in the hotly-contested Rolling Stone Readers’ Award. First announcing the arrival of the awards in 2020, the highly anticipated first edition of the event saw artists recognised across the five categories, including Best Record, Best Single, Best New Artist, the Rolling Stone Global Award, and the Rolling Stone Readers’ Award. At last year’s ceremony, Genesis Owusu, The Kid LAROI and King Stingray were named the big winners, with live performances from Amy Shark and Ruby Fields. Rolling Stone Australia’s print readership was up 20% to 220,000 readers from the previous survey, according to new Roy Morgan research, ahead of many staple titles. 2023 Shure Rolling Stone Australia Awards Nominees: Best Single Amy Shark – “Only Wanna Be With You” Budjerah – “Ready for the Sky” Courtney Barnett – “Rae Street” Keith Urban – “Brown Eyes Baby” Ruel – “Growing up is ___” Spacey Jane – “Hardlight” The Kid LAROI – “Thousand Miles” Vance Joy – “Clarity” Best New Artist Blake Rose Budjerah Eliza & The Delusionals Forest Claudette James Johnston Lara D Merci, Mercy Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers Best Record 5 Seconds of Summer – 5SOS5 Gang of Youths – angel in realtime Julia Jacklin – Pre Pleasure Parkway Drive – Darker Still Spacey Jane – Here Comes Everybody The Wiggles – ReWiggled Thelma Plum – Meanjin Vance Joy – In Our Own Sweet Time Rolling Stone Global Award Alison Wonderland Gang Of Youths Iggy Azalea Keith Urban Kylie Minogue Rüfüs Du Sol Tash Sultana The Wiggles Tones And I Troye Sivan Vance Joy