James Johnston (Australian musician)

Last updated

James Johnston
Born (1990-11-26) 26 November 1990 (age 32)
Wingham, New South Wales, Australia
Genres Country
Occupation(s)Singer
Instrument(s)
  • Vocals
  • guitar
Years active2009–present
Website jamesjohnston.com

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) .

Contents

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

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

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.[ citation needed ] 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
TitleDetailsPeak 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
TitleYearPeak chart positions Certifications Album
AUS
Indie
[16]
"Raised Like That" [17] 20211Raised Like That
"Small Town" [19] 1
"Anything Like Me" [20] 20225
"Country Boys" [21] 1
"Same Songs" [22]
(with Kaylee Bell)		2
"My People" [23] —
"Got It Good" [24] 20232
"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.

YearNominee / workAwardResultRef.
2023 "Raised Like That"Most Performed Country Work of the YearNominated [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.

YearNominee / workAwardResultRef.
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
2024Raised Like ThatAlbum of the YearPending [31] [32]
Contemporary Country of the YearPending
"Got It Good"Single of the YearPending
"We Grew Up On" (directed by Jay Seeney)Video of the YearPending
"Some Things Never Change" (with Zac & George)Vocal Collaboration of the YearPending
James JohnstonMale Artist of the YearPending

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. [33]

YearNominee / workAwardResultRef.
2023"Country Boys"Country AwardWon [34]

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. [35]

YearNominee / workAwardResultRef.
2023James JohnstonBest New ArtistNominated [36]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hayley Jensen</span> Australian singer and songwriter (born 1983)

Hayley Jensen is an Australian singer and songwriter who became known after appearing on the second series (2004) of Australian Idol. She was the fourth finalist, leaving the show on 1 November. She spent three years as the lead vocalist of alternative rock band Seasons and dance-rock outfit Silver Cities. Jensen's EP Past Tense and Present Peace was released in February 2017 and reached #1 on the Australian iTunes Country chart followed in 2018 by the album Turning Up the Dial which she toured across Australia, the UK and Canada. Hayley's third studio album Breakin' Hearts was released on 22 October 2021 and came in as the #1 ARIA Country Album and #4 ARIA Australian Albums.

Emily Williams is a New Zealand-born Australian singer and songwriter. She rose to fame in 2005 on the third season of Australian Idol and became the runner-up of the competition. After Idol, Williams signed with Sony BMG Australia and enjoyed commercial success as a member of the Australian girl group Young Divas. The group released two top-ten albums, Young Divas (2006) and New Attitude (2007), and achieved three top-fifteen singles, including the hugely successful "This Time I Know It's for Real". After the Young Divas disbanded in 2008 and Williams' contract with Sony BMG ended, she began releasing her solo music independently. Williams' debut solo single "Spellbound" was released in 2010, followed by the release of her debut solo album Uncovered in 2012.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kelly Clarkson discography</span>

American singer-songwriter Kelly Clarkson has released ten studio albums, seven extended plays, one compilation album, one remix album, and 55 singles. In 2002, she won the inaugural season of the television competition American Idol and was immediately signed to a recording deal with 19 Recordings, and RCA Records. She made her chart debut in September 2002 with the double A-side single "Before Your Love"/"A Moment Like This", latter of which topped the Billboard Hot 100 chart and eventually became the year's best-selling single in the United States. Her debut album, Thankful, was released in April 2003 and entered the US Billboard 200 chart at number one. Thankful produced the hit lead single "Miss Independent" and was certified double-platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Reigan Derry</span> Musical artist

Reigan Elisse Derry, also known mononymously as Reigan, is an Australian singer and songwriter. Derry rose to fame after placing eleventh on the fourth season of Australian Idol in 2006. The following year, she became a member of the Australian pop duo Scarlett Belle, who disbanded in 2011. Three years later, Derry placed fourth on the sixth season of The X Factor Australia. She subsequently received a recording contract with Sony Music Australia and released her debut extended play, All of the Pieces, in December 2014. Currently Reigan works as a club singer for various agencies in Sydney and the Gold Coast.

Wesley Dean "Wes" Carr, also recording as Buffalo Tales, is an Australian singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, best known for winning the sixth season of Australian Idol in 2008. He released his first studio album, Simple Sum, independently in 2008 shortly before entering Australian Idol. After Idol, he signed a record deal with Sony Music Australia and released his debut single, "You". The song peaked at number one on the ARIA Singles Chart and was certified Gold by the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). Carr's second studio album, The Way the World Looks, soon followed after. It reached number two on the ARIA Albums Chart and also achieved Gold certification. The second single "Feels Like Woah" peaked at number 14 and gained Gold certification. In June 2011, Carr released "Been a Long Time", the lead single from his third album. It peaked at number 33 on the ARIA Singles Chart. In November 2011, Carr announced that he was no longer with Sony and would be releasing his album independently. In August 2012 Carr released an EP titled Blood & Bone under the pseudonym Buffalo Tales. His third studio album "Roadtrip Confessions" was released in June 2013 and debuted at number 83.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stan Walker</span> Australian-born New Zealand singer

Stan Walker is an Australian-born New Zealand singer, actor, and television personality. In 2009, Walker was the winner of the seventh season of Australian Idol. He subsequently signed a recording contract with Sony Music Australia. In December 2009, Walker released his debut studio album, Introducing Stan Walker, which included the hit single, "Black Box". The album debuted at number three on the Australian ARIA Albums Chart and was certified platinum by the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). It also appeared on the New Zealand Albums Chart at number two and was certified triple platinum by the Recording Industry Association of New Zealand (RIANZ).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Missy Higgins discography</span>

The discography of Australian singer-songwriter and musician Missy Higgins consists of five studio albums, two extended plays, thirty three singles and one download-only live album. In 2001, Higgins won the national Unearthed radio competition for unsigned artists with her song "All for Believing" and shortly after signed a recording contract with Eleven. The following year she signed an international contract with Warner Bros. She released a self-titled EP in November 2003. Her debut album, The Sound of White, was released 6 September 2004. It reached No. 1 on the Australian albums chart and was certified nine times platinum by the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). It contained the singles "Scar", "Ten Days", "The Special Two" and "The Sound of White".

Casey Barnes is an Australian country rock singer-songwriter from Tasmania, Australia who is best known as a contestant on the seventh season of Australian Idol in 2009. Barnes won the ARIA Award for Best Country Album in 2022.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">360 (rapper)</span> Australian rapper

Matthew James Colwell, better known by his stage name 360, is an Australian rapper. He has released four studio albums: What You See Is What You Get (2008); Falling & Flying (2011), which peaked at No. 4 on the ARIA Albums Chart and was certified platinum; Utopia (2014), and Vintage Modern (2017). 360's second album provided four charting singles, including "Boys like You", which peaked at No. 3 on the ARIA Singles Chart and was certified 4× platinum. At the ARIA Music Awards of 2012, he received six nominations and won the 'Breakthrough Artist – Release' award for Falling & Flying, while Styalz Fuego won the ARIA 'Producer of the Year' Artisan award for the same album.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Rubens</span> Australian alternative rock band

The Rubens are an award winning 5 piece alternative rock band from Menangle, Australia. The band comprises the three Margin brothers, Zaac, Sam and Elliott, and friends Scott Baldwin and William Zeglis. Their debut self-titled album The Rubens gained them domestic success with it reaching number 3 on the ARIA Charts and being nominated for a J Award for Album of the Year.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chet Faker</span> Australian electronic musician (born 1988)

Nicholas James Murphy, known professionally as Chet Faker, is an Australian singer and songwriter. In 2012, as Chet Faker, he issued an extended play, Thinking in Textures, and signed to Downtown Records in the United States. In October 2012, he won Breakthrough Artist of the Year and Thinking in Textures won Best Independent Single/EP at the Australian Independent Records Awards. In January 2013, the work won Best Independent Release at the Rolling Stone Australia Awards for 2012.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rüfüs Du Sol</span> Australian alternative dance group

Rüfüs Du Sol, stylised as RÜFÜS DU SOL and formerly known as simply Rüfüs from 2010 to 2018, are an Australian alternative dance group from Sydney, that consists of Tyrone Lindqvist, Jon George and James Hunt. Their debut album Atlas peaked at number one in Australia, while their second album Bloom debuted atop the Australian albums chart in early 2016. Their single "You Were Right" won the ARIA Award for Best Dance Release in 2015. While still known as Rüfüs elsewhere, they performed as Rüfüs Du Sol in the United States because Rufus was already taken. In 2018 they changed their name to Rüfüs Du Sol internationally.

Jessica Moskaluke is a Canadian country singer and songwriter. She released her debut studio album, Light Up the Night in April 2014, which includes the platinum-certified single "Cheap Wine and Cigarettes". She has one #1 hit on the Billboard Canada Country chart with "Country Girls".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Wolfe Brothers</span> Australian country duo

The Wolfe Brothers are an Australian country music duo consisting of brothers Tom and Nick Wolfe. The group formerly included childhood friends Brodie Rainbird and Casey Kostiuk. The Wolfe Brothers rose to prominence after placing second in season six of Australia's Got Talent.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hayden James</span> Australian musician

Hayden James is an Australian DJ, songwriter and record producer from Sydney. He is signed to the Future Classic label.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">G Flip</span> Australian musician

Georgia Claire Flipo, now going by the name G, known professionally as G Flip, is an Australian singer, songwriter, producer, drummer, and musician from Melbourne, Victoria. Their debut studio album, About Us, was released on 30 August 2019.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lindsay Ell discography</span>

Canadian country music singer and songwriter Lindsay Ell has released five studio albums, one extended play, 11 singles, and 10 music videos. Ell released two independent albums in the 2000s before signing a recording contract with the Stoney Creek subsidiary of Broken Bow Records in 2013 and releasing her debut single, "Trippin' on Us". Four subsequent singles were promoted over the following three years with varying levels of success on the Canadian and American country airplay charts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Masked Wolf</span> Australian rapper

Harry Michael, known professionally as Masked Wolf, is an Australian rapper from Sydney, New South Wales. He is best known for his song "Astronaut in the Ocean", which became a sleeper hit in 2021, peaking at number 4 on the Australian ARIA Charts and number 6 on the US Billboard Hot 100, having been initially released in June 2019.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tai Verdes</span> American singer

Tyler James Colon, known professionally as Tai Verdes, is an American singer. He grew up in Southern California where he played guitar, piano, and ukulele. Playing on the basketball team during his attendance at Babson College, he maintained his love for music and eventually dropped out. He was also featured on season 6 of Are You the One?. He worked at a phone store during the COVID-19 pandemic, but this still helped further his musical passion and during the same time, he released his breakout single "Stuck in the Middle" in June 2020. The song went viral on TikTok. He responded to his newfound success saying the song "doesn't just turn into a million dollars and a nice car. It turns into waiting-which I think I've gotten pretty good at."

Kaylee Bell is a New Zealand singer-songwriter. In 2013, she won the Toyota Star Maker award in Australia, making her the first New Zealand-born artist to win since Keith Urban in 1990. She released her debut studio album, Heart First, later that year. Bell has placed multiple singles in the Top 10 of the Australian Country Music Charts. She is currently the 'Most Streamed Female Country Artist' in Australia. Her second album, Silver Linings was released in November 2021. Bell opened for Brad Paisley on his World Tour NZ show late 2022 alongside Australian country singer Morgan Evans and was support act for Ed Sheeran on his Mathematics World Tour in 2023.

References

  1. 1 2 3 "James Johnston Raised Like That". amnplify.com.au. 1 September 2021. Retrieved 22 November 2021.
  2. 1 2 "James Johnston Lands First Gold Single: 'I'm truly humbled'". The Music Network. 14 July 2022. Retrieved 15 July 2022.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 "James Johnston "Raised Like That" inspired by growing up in Wingham". Manning River Times . 9 July 2021. Retrieved 22 November 2021.
  4. 1 2 "James Johnston's debut single smashed Aussie records!". Australian Broadcasting Corporation . 17 September 2021. Retrieved 22 November 2021.
  5. 1 2 3 4 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.
  16. ↑
  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. ↑ "Toyota 52nd Golden Guitar Awards". TCMF. 20 November 2023. Retrieved 23 November 2023.
  32. ↑ "Nominees Announced for the 52nd Country Music Awards". TCMF. 20 November 2023. Retrieved 23 November 2023.
  33. ↑ "About the Queensland Music Awards". Queensland Music Awards . Retrieved 21 March 2021.
  34. ↑ "Thelma Plum, Ball Park Music win top gongs at 2023 Queensland Music Awards". Australian Broadcasting Corporation . 29 March 2023. Retrieved 30 March 2023.
  35. ↑ 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.
  36. ↑ "Amy Shark, The Wiggles & Kylie Minogue Among 2023 Shure Rolling Stone Australia Awards Nominees". Rolling Stone Australia. 1 February 2023. Retrieved 5 February 2023.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.