James Johnston Releases Brand New Track 'Do You Play Any Country'
Australian country music sensation, two-time Golden Guitar winner and ARIA Award nominee James Johnston today releases a brand new track, "DO YOU PLAY ANY COUNTRY," via Warner Music Australia ahead of CMC Rocks 2026. Listen HERE.
Speaking on the new track, James said: "I spent 15 years playing in little pubs and bars all around Australia and one of my favourite moments was when someone would come up and ask for a country song because that's when I knew there were country fans in the crowd. DO YOU PLAY ANY COUNTRY is a throwback to those nights, celebrating the songs, the crowds and the classic country anthems we all know and love."
This weekend, James is set to hit the stage at CMC Rocks 2026, delivering a set packed with fan favourites alongside tracks from his latest album WHERE YOU'LL FIND ME. He's set to hit the stage on Friday night for what promises to be an unforgettable performance. He'll then take the show on the road with a run of festival dates across Australia and internationally, including appearances at Sweden's High Chaparral Country Festival in May and the UK's Country Calling Festival this August. Further details are available at jamesjohnston.com
2025 was a monumental year for James, who took home multiple fan-voted Countrytown Awards, including Entertainer of the Year and Male Artist of the Year. To close the awards ceremony, he performed a medley of his hits, including 'HELL BOY'. In addition to his remarkable success in Australia, James has taken country music global - returning to South Africa, where he won Song of the Year for his collaboration with local artist Appel on their single 'COUNTRY IS FOR ME'.
In October James released, WHERE YOU'LL FIND ME. With his sophomore album, Johnston steps fully into his international era, blending modern country hooks with a raw emotional core to create songs that lift people up and connect everyday moments to something bigger. Reuniting with long-time producer and friend Jared Adlam (Adam Brand, Lee Kernaghan) and collaborating with mentor and country superstar Morgan Evans, Johnston delivers a record that reflects both personal growth and global ambition. From festival stages to viral social media moments, he's proving that Australian country music knows no borders - and he's only just getting started.
James' history-making 20-track debut album, RAISED LIKE THAT, was nominated for Best Country Album at the 2024 ARIA Awards. RAISED LIKE THAT staged a sell-out five-city Australian regional tour and became the most in-demand streamed Australian country music album. With six #1 airplay hits, maintaining the #1 spot for 26 weeks on the ARIA Australian Country Albums Chart, over 163 million global streams, two Golden Guitar Awards, and certified ARIA platinum, James is easily Australia's most exciting country music artist. He's already won Best New Talent and Best Vocal Collaboration with his friend Kaylee Bell at the 2023 Tamworth Country Music Festival, as well as being nominated for a QMA Award, an APRA Music Award, and was a 2023 Rolling Stone Australia Award nominee.
Quickly becoming one of the most sought-after acts in Australian country music, James has taken his "electrifying voice and array of feel-good country songs" (Newsport) to some of Australia's biggest and most beloved stages. With performances at CMC Rocks, Savannah in the Round, Berry's Big Country, Gympie Music Muster, the Tamworth Country Music Festival, and of course Meatstock in Toowoomba, James has certainly ticked a few things off his bucket list.James Johnston is undoubtedly the hottest name in the Australian country music scene right now. With more shows planned for 2026, he is set to continue growing his fanbase and reputation in the months ahead.
UPCOMING 2026 TOUR DATES:
MARCH 20-22: CMC ROCK 2026, IPSWICH QLD, AUSTRALIA
MAY 1: COUNTRY FEST QLD PRESENTS HONKY TONK PRE PARTY, CAIRNS, AUSTRALIA
MAY 30: HIGH CHAPARRAL COUNTRY FESTIVAL, KULLTORP SWEDEN
JUNE 13: BOOTS N' BEATS, CAMDEN, AUSTRALIA
AUGUST 16: COUNTRY CALLING FESTIVAL UK, WRITTLE, UK
AUGUST 29: GYMPIE MUSIC MUSTER, AMAMOOR, AUSTRALIA
OCTOBER 2-4: THE BEND CLASSIC, TAILEM BEND, AUSTRALIA
For all touring and ticketing information, please visit: www.jamesjohnston.com
Speaking on the new track, James said: "I spent 15 years playing in little pubs and bars all around Australia and one of my favourite moments was when someone would come up and ask for a country song because that's when I knew there were country fans in the crowd. DO YOU PLAY ANY COUNTRY is a throwback to those nights, celebrating the songs, the crowds and the classic country anthems we all know and love."
This weekend, James is set to hit the stage at CMC Rocks 2026, delivering a set packed with fan favourites alongside tracks from his latest album WHERE YOU'LL FIND ME. He's set to hit the stage on Friday night for what promises to be an unforgettable performance. He'll then take the show on the road with a run of festival dates across Australia and internationally, including appearances at Sweden's High Chaparral Country Festival in May and the UK's Country Calling Festival this August. Further details are available at jamesjohnston.com
2025 was a monumental year for James, who took home multiple fan-voted Countrytown Awards, including Entertainer of the Year and Male Artist of the Year. To close the awards ceremony, he performed a medley of his hits, including 'HELL BOY'. In addition to his remarkable success in Australia, James has taken country music global - returning to South Africa, where he won Song of the Year for his collaboration with local artist Appel on their single 'COUNTRY IS FOR ME'.
In October James released, WHERE YOU'LL FIND ME. With his sophomore album, Johnston steps fully into his international era, blending modern country hooks with a raw emotional core to create songs that lift people up and connect everyday moments to something bigger. Reuniting with long-time producer and friend Jared Adlam (Adam Brand, Lee Kernaghan) and collaborating with mentor and country superstar Morgan Evans, Johnston delivers a record that reflects both personal growth and global ambition. From festival stages to viral social media moments, he's proving that Australian country music knows no borders - and he's only just getting started.
James' history-making 20-track debut album, RAISED LIKE THAT, was nominated for Best Country Album at the 2024 ARIA Awards. RAISED LIKE THAT staged a sell-out five-city Australian regional tour and became the most in-demand streamed Australian country music album. With six #1 airplay hits, maintaining the #1 spot for 26 weeks on the ARIA Australian Country Albums Chart, over 163 million global streams, two Golden Guitar Awards, and certified ARIA platinum, James is easily Australia's most exciting country music artist. He's already won Best New Talent and Best Vocal Collaboration with his friend Kaylee Bell at the 2023 Tamworth Country Music Festival, as well as being nominated for a QMA Award, an APRA Music Award, and was a 2023 Rolling Stone Australia Award nominee.
Quickly becoming one of the most sought-after acts in Australian country music, James has taken his "electrifying voice and array of feel-good country songs" (Newsport) to some of Australia's biggest and most beloved stages. With performances at CMC Rocks, Savannah in the Round, Berry's Big Country, Gympie Music Muster, the Tamworth Country Music Festival, and of course Meatstock in Toowoomba, James has certainly ticked a few things off his bucket list.James Johnston is undoubtedly the hottest name in the Australian country music scene right now. With more shows planned for 2026, he is set to continue growing his fanbase and reputation in the months ahead.
UPCOMING 2026 TOUR DATES:
MARCH 20-22: CMC ROCK 2026, IPSWICH QLD, AUSTRALIA
MAY 1: COUNTRY FEST QLD PRESENTS HONKY TONK PRE PARTY, CAIRNS, AUSTRALIA
MAY 30: HIGH CHAPARRAL COUNTRY FESTIVAL, KULLTORP SWEDEN
JUNE 13: BOOTS N' BEATS, CAMDEN, AUSTRALIA
AUGUST 16: COUNTRY CALLING FESTIVAL UK, WRITTLE, UK
AUGUST 29: GYMPIE MUSIC MUSTER, AMAMOOR, AUSTRALIA
OCTOBER 2-4: THE BEND CLASSIC, TAILEM BEND, AUSTRALIA
For all touring and ticketing information, please visit: www.jamesjohnston.com
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