About James

When James Johnston released his debut single, ‘RAISED LIKE THAT’ five years ago, he never could have anticipated the whirlwind that followed. Six #1 airplay hits, more than 163 million global streams, three Golden Guitars and two Countrytown Awards later, James is easily Australia’s most exciting Country Music artist. The song that started it all has been certified ARIA platinum, making James the first ever Australian independent country artist to achieve this for a single.

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, has made Australian music history with his debut album.

His album RAISED LIKE THAT (The Album) is 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. 

During its first 2 years since release, RAISED LIKE THAT (The Album) spent 35 weeks at #1 on the ARIA Australian Country Albums Chart, 19 of those weeks at #1 were consecutive, with only Kasey Chambers having spent more consecutive weeks at #1 on that chart since its inception 27 years ago. It was the #3 performing Australian country album for 2023, even though it was only released in the year’s final quarter. It was also the #3 performing Australian country album for 2024, and #3 once again for 2025.

The album’s strong performance on that chart continued having never dropped below #6 during its maximum possible run of 105 charting weeks (2 years) in accordance with current ARIA Chart eligibility rules.

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 five 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 was presented with his ARIA Platinum award for his debut single).

“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 on the other 11 with long-time collaborators, Nolan Wynn and Gavin Carfoot, producers Michael DeLorenzis and Michael Paynter and fellow artists Kaylee Bell, Jared Porter, Melanie Dyer, and Zac & 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 completed national tours with Australian heavyweight, Morgan Evans and international star Kip Moore. The star has appeared at countless festivals – CMC Rocks, Berry’s Big Country, Gympie Music Muster, Meatstock, Tamworth Country Music Festival, Deni Ute Muster – you name it! In October 2024, Johnston and his band jetted to Cape Town to play alongside Kip Moore, Darius Rucker and Zac Brown Band at South Africa’s first major country music festival within the setting of one of the largest football stadiums in the world. In late 2025 James and band joined the likes of Jelly Roll and Shaboozey for all 3 dates of Australia’s inaugural ‘Strummingbird’ music festival before James and his band hit the road for a highly successful headline tour. 2026 will see James take his performances to more international audiences including his first, long awaited shows in the United Kingdom, while also continuing to hit stages across Australia to play to his loyal and growing supporter base in the country he calls home.

Since releasing his debut single, Johnston has amassed more than 163 million global streams. Not only that, but his six #1 airplay hits have earned him a run of 118 consecutive weeks in the Top 20 of the Country Hot 50 National airplay chart. He’s been nominated for QMA Awards, APRA Music Awards, an ARIA Award and was a 2023 Rolling Stone Australia Award nominee for Best New Talent. But all his hard work was rewarded in January 2023 when he received two Golden Guitar Awards – New Talent of The Year and Vocal Collaboration of the Year, and then again in March 2025 with two fan-voted Countrytown Awards – Entertainer of the Year and Male Artist of the Year. James later received his third Golden Guitar Award for having the Highest Selling Australian Country Album for 2025 with his sophomore album release ‘WHERE YOU’LL FIND ME’ and is nominated for a further 4 Countrytown Awards in 2026.