James Johnston (Australian musician)

James Johnston (born 26 November 1990) is an Australian singer. In 2009, Johnston placed third in the seventh season of Australian Idol. In 2014, he made the top 24 of the sixth season of The X Factor (Australia).

For those of a similar name, see James Johnston (disambiguation).

James Johnston
Born (1990-11-26) 26 November 1990
Wingham, New South Wales, Australia
GenresCountry
Occupation(s)Singer
Instrument(s)
  • Vocals
  • guitar
Years active2009–present
Websitejamesjohnston.com

In July 2021, Johnston released his debut single "Raised Like That". It became the fastest ever debut single by an Australian-based country artist to reach 1 million streams.[1] "Raised Like That" was certified gold in Australia by mid-2022, and in doing so, Johnston became first independent country artist to achieve the milestone in 21 years.[2] Johnston's debut studio album is scheduled for release on 29 September 2023.

Early life

James Johnston was born on 26 November 1990 in Wingham, New South Wales. Johnston spent his early years travelling farm-to-farm with his dad, selling and servicing tractors and was introduced to artists like Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings and Garth Brooks from an early age.[3] Johnston performed for the first time at four years of age, singing "Friends in Low Places" in front of his kindergarten class.[3][4]

Throughout his teens, Johnston busked on the streets of Tamworth and performed in various bands and on many stages.[3][5]

He was a part of the Star Struck school spectacular event in Newcastle, NSW in 2005.[6]

Career

2009: Australian Idol
Main article: Australian Idol (season 7)

In 2009, Johnston auditioned for the seventh season of Australian Idol, singing John Mayer's "Your Body Is a Wonderland" at his audition, receiving praise from all four judges.[7] Johnston eventually placed third behind Stan Walker and Hayley Warner.

Following his Idol experience, Johnston bought a van and travelled around country Australia, living show-to-show for a number of years.[3]

2014: X Factor
Main article: The X Factor (Australian season 6)

In 2014, Johnston auditioned for the sixth season of The X Factor (Australian TV series). He made the top 24, but was eliminated before making the live shows.[8]

Following The X Factor, Johnston travelled through Nashville, Tennessee with a friend. Johnston told Country Town in November 2021, "We were staying in this hostel that had this old piano. Everyone would go to bed at one o'clock in the morning, and I just stayed there for three or four hours writing songs … I've never been so inspired to create and truly, from that moment on, I was like, 'country music, that's where my heart', just songwriting and telling stories."[5]

2020–present: Raised Like That

In eighteen months between 2020 and 2021, Johnston wrote over 200 songs.[1] On 9 July 2021, Johnston 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 grew up in a small close knit community.[3]

On 21 July 2021, Johnston reached out for his social community to create a video showing themselves "Raised Like That". Johnston personally edited the video and released it on 1 September 2021.[1][4] In October 2021, the song peaked at number 1 on the Countrytown Music Network Hot 50 Country Airplay Chart[5][9] and number 4 on the Australian Independent chart. It was certified gold by the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) in 2022.[10]

Johnston released his second single "Small Town" on 19 November 2021.[11] On the writing of the song, Johnston said "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."[12] In August 2023, Johnston announced the release of his debut studio album, Raised Like That, scheduled for release on 29 September 2023.[13]

Style

In November 2021, Johnston said "I grew up singing country music up until about 16. But I feel I truly developed my style when I went off and tried lots of different genres (played in a funk band, wrote indie acoustic music, played rock 'n' roll covers). So when I finally came home to country at about 25, my upbringing was rooted in country music and songwriting but I got to pull from all different genres to craft my own unique sound."[14]

In November 2021, Johnston further elaborated with Country Town saying "When I did Idol and The X Factor, I always felt like I was kind of playing a character of sorts and it felt so disingenuous. I was young when I did Australian Idol. I didn't know myself, and I would never have called myself an artist at that stage. I was a singer that loved to sing songs. So, for me, I didn’t mind getting pushed and pulled in different directions."[5]

Discography

Albums
List of albums, with selected details and chart positions
Title Details Peak chart positions
AUS
[15]
Raised Like That
  • Released: 29 September 2023
  • Format: CD, 2×LP, digital
  • Label: James Johnston
 7

Singles
List of singles as lead artist, with selected chart positions
Title Year Peak chart positions Certifications Album
AUS
Indie
[16]
"Raised Like That"[17] 2021 1 Raised Like That
"Small Town"[19] 1
"Anything Like Me"[20] 2022 5
"Country Boys"[21] 1
"Same Songs"[22]
(with Kaylee Bell)		 2
"My People"[23] —
"Got It Good"[24] 2023 2
"We Grew Up On"[25] 1
"Some Things Never Change"[26]
(featuring Zac & George)		 2
"Worth Its Weight in Gold"[27] —

Awards and nominations

APRA Awards

The APRA Awards are held in Australia and New Zealand by the Australasian Performing Right Association to recognise songwriting skills, sales and airplay performance by its members annually.

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2023 "Raised Like That" Most Performed Country Work of the Year Nominated [28]

Country Music Awards of Australia

The Country Music Awards of Australia is an annual awards night held in January during the Tamworth Country Music Festival. Celebrating recording excellence in the Australian country music industry. They commenced in 1973.

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2023"Small Town"Single of the YearNominated[29][30]
"Small Town"Song of the YearNominated
"Small Town" (Directed by Elijah Cavanagh)Video of the YearNominated
"Same Songs" (with Kaylee Bell)Vocal Collaboration of the YearWon
James JohnstonNew Talent of the YearWon
Male Artist of the YearNominated

Queensland Music Awards

The Queensland Music Awards (previously known as the Q Song Awards) are an annual awards ceremony celebrating Queensland's brightest emerging artists and established legends. They commenced in 2006.[31]

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2023 "Country Boys" Country Award Won [32]

Rolling Stone Australia Awards

The Rolling Stone Australia Awards are awarded annually in January or February by the Australian edition of Rolling Stone magazine for outstanding contributions to popular culture in the previous year.[33]

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2023 James Johnston Best New Artist Nominated [34]

References
  1. "James Johnston Raised Like That". amnplify.com.au. 1 September 2021. Retrieved 22 November 2021.
  2. "James Johnston Lands First Gold Single: 'I'm truly humbled'". The Music Network. 14 July 2022. Retrieved 15 July 2022.
  3. "James Johnston "Raised Like That" inspired by growing up in Wingham". Manning River Times. 9 July 2021. Retrieved 22 November 2021.
  4. "James Johnston's debut single smashed Aussie records!". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 17 September 2021. Retrieved 22 November 2021.
  5. Arbour, Mallory (17 November 2021). "James Johnston On Reinvention To His Number One Debut Single". countrytown.com.au. Retrieved 22 November 2021.
  6. Campbell, Tess (7 October 2009). "Star-struck singer has Idol moment in limelight". Newcastle Herald. Retrieved 17 March 2022.
  7. "James Johnston Audition". YouTube. 2009. Retrieved 22 November 2021.
  8. "Series 6, Episode 11: Home visits". The X Factor Australia. 5 August 2014. Seven Network.
  9. "COUNTRYTOWN HOT 50 by Radio Monitor Issue 1364". The Music Network. October 2021. Retrieved 22 November 2021.
  10. "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2022 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 7 July 2022.
  11. "STUDIO DIARY: Behind The Scenes Of James Johnston's New Single, "Small Town"". themusic.com.au. 19 November 2021. Retrieved 22 November 2021.
  12. "James Johnston Drives Home His New Single "Small Town"". amnplify.com.au. 19 November 2021. Retrieved 22 November 2021.
  13. "James Johnston Announces Epic 20-Track Debut Album". Kix Country. 17 August 2023. Retrieved 8 September 2023.
  14. "Q&A: Apple Music Up Next Local, James Johnston". tonedeaf. 19 November 2021. Retrieved 22 November 2021.
  15. "ARIA Top 50 Albums Chart". Australian Recording Industry Association. 9 October 2023. Retrieved 6 October 2023.
  17. "Raised Like That – Single by James Johnston on Apple Music". Apple Music. 9 July 2021. Retrieved 22 November 2021.
  18. "James Johnston to make Australian music history this Friday … because he was raised like that". National Tribune. 27 September 2023. Retrieved 1 October 2023.
  19. "Small Town – Single by Single by James Johnston on Apple Music". Apple Music. 19 November 2021. Retrieved 22 November 2021.
  20. "Anything Like Me – Single by James Johnston on Apple Music". Apple Music. 25 February 2022. Retrieved 28 February 2022.
  21. "James Johnston Reveals New Single "Country Boys"". Amnlify. 8 May 2022. Retrieved 15 July 2022.
  22. "James Johnston Recruits Kaylee Bell for First Duet Release". Kix Country. 15 July 2022. Retrieved 15 July 2022.
  23. "My People – Single". Apple Music. 21 September 2023. Retrieved 28 January 2023.
  24. "Got It Good – Single". Apple Music. 26 January 2023. Retrieved 28 January 2023.
  25. "WE GREW UP ON Stream it here". Facebook. 19 April 2023. Retrieved 2 May 2023.
  26. "James Johnston Drops 'Some Things Never Change' Featuring Zac & George". kixcountry. 28 July 2023. Retrieved 31 July 2023.
  27. "James Johnston Leaks His Own Epic New Song". Country Town. 7 September 2023. Retrieved 9 September 2023.
  28. "Nominees revealed for the 2023 APRA Music Awards". APRA Awards. 30 March 2023. Retrieved 31 March 2023.
  29. "Tamworth Toyota Golden Guitar Award Nominees Announced". The Music. 22 November 2022. Retrieved 23 November 2022.
  30. "2023 Toyota Golden Guitar Winners Announced". Mirage News. 22 January 2023. Retrieved 22 January 2023.
  31. "About the Queensland Music Awards". Queensland Music Awards. Retrieved 21 March 2021.
  32. "Thelma Plum, Ball Park Music win top gongs at 2023 Queensland Music Awards". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 29 March 2023. Retrieved 30 March 2023.
  33. Barnes, Amelia (5 December 2011). "Rolling Stone Magazine Australia announces 3rd annual awards event". The AU Review. Archived from the original on 8 August 2016. Retrieved 5 March 2021.
  34. "Amy Shark, The Wiggles & Kylie Minogue Among 2023 Shure Rolling Stone Australia Awards Nominees". Rolling Stone Australia. 1 February 2023. Retrieved 5 February 2023.
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