James Johnston and Chase Matthew Join Forces For New Anthem 'Smoke I've Known'
Australian country music sensation, three-time Golden Guitar winner (including the top selling ARIA Charts Australian Country Album in 2025) and ARIA Award nominee James Johnston has teamed up with one of the hottest country risers in the US, Chase Matthew, for their new collaboration 'SMOKE I'VE KNOWN,' out now via Warner Music Australia. Listen HERE.
Written in Nashville, the track is a powerful exploration of roots and identity, bridging the gap between Australia and Tennessee and challenges the idea that country music belongs to a single place. The official music video will premiere at 8:00am AEST on Friday 17th April HERE.
Speaking on 'SMOKE I'VE KNOWN,' James Johnson said: "This song really explores how 'country' means different things to different people, and for me, 'SMOKE I'VE KNOWN' is a tribute to my roots - the dirt bikes, bonfire nights, and those memories that instantly take you back home.
Working with Chase came together so naturally because, despite the distance between us, we realised we're just two small-town country boys with very similar stories. The whole experience was honestly unreal and felt completely effortless from the start; whether we were writing the track in Nashville or spending days riding bikes while filming the video, nothing ever felt forced. We clicked straight away, and I think that's what makes this entire project feel so honest and universal.
'SMOKE I'VE KNOWN' is an honest tribute to the roots and memories that shape us. Even though Chase grew up in Tennessee and I'm from Australia, this song proves that while country life looks different across the world, the heart behind it is the same. I want people to hear this, feel proud of where they came from, and remember that their story is theirs to tell."
Speaking further on the collaboration Matthew adds: 'Smoke I've Known' was one of those songs that was magic from the start. James and I hit it off on social media and told our publishers to get us together. Australia is one of my favorite places in the world, and we immediately knew we wanted to write a song that represents country music worldwide. James being an Australian native in the country genre made this collaboration so authentically us, and I'll speak for James when I say – this is the 'Smoke I've Known.' I can't wait for everyone to check it out."
Warner Records Nashville's Chase Matthew is one of country music's boldest new voices, blending small-town grit with arena-ready ambition. With his current single, "Holdin' It Down," charging up the country radio charts (following his 2025 multi-week No. 1 "Darlin'"), the Nashville native continues his rapid rise " boasting more than 1.7 BILLION global streams and a loyal 2.5M+ social following, while gearing up for his next album, arriving summer 2026. Known for his country-or-nothing attitude, rowdy live shows, and signature low-slung twang, Matthew recently earned his first iHeartRadio Award nomination for Best New Country Artist of the Year, adding to a growing list of accolades that includes HITS One to Watch, iHeart On The Verge (2025), MusicRow's Next Big Thing, Opry NextStage (Class of 2024), and Billboard's Rookie of the Month. Currently headlining his Holdin' It Down World Tour across the U.S. and Australia through summer 2026, he will next join Jason Aldean as direct support on his upcoming tour, after recently serving in the same role on Keith Urban's HIGH AND ALIVE WORLD TOUR, with previous runs alongside Aldean and Luke Bryan.
Last month, James 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 - for what was 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 marked a huge year for James, with standout recognition at the recent 2026 Countrytown Awards. Voted by fans, he took home Entertainer of the Year and Male Artist of the Year for the second consecutive year, alongside Song of the Year and Album of the Year. 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 35 weeks on the ARIA Australian Country Albums Chart, over 163 million global streams, three 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, Strummingbird, Gympie Music Muster, Savannah in the Round, 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:
Written in Nashville, the track is a powerful exploration of roots and identity, bridging the gap between Australia and Tennessee and challenges the idea that country music belongs to a single place. The official music video will premiere at 8:00am AEST on Friday 17th April HERE.
Speaking on 'SMOKE I'VE KNOWN,' James Johnson said: "This song really explores how 'country' means different things to different people, and for me, 'SMOKE I'VE KNOWN' is a tribute to my roots - the dirt bikes, bonfire nights, and those memories that instantly take you back home.
Working with Chase came together so naturally because, despite the distance between us, we realised we're just two small-town country boys with very similar stories. The whole experience was honestly unreal and felt completely effortless from the start; whether we were writing the track in Nashville or spending days riding bikes while filming the video, nothing ever felt forced. We clicked straight away, and I think that's what makes this entire project feel so honest and universal.
'SMOKE I'VE KNOWN' is an honest tribute to the roots and memories that shape us. Even though Chase grew up in Tennessee and I'm from Australia, this song proves that while country life looks different across the world, the heart behind it is the same. I want people to hear this, feel proud of where they came from, and remember that their story is theirs to tell."
Speaking further on the collaboration Matthew adds: 'Smoke I've Known' was one of those songs that was magic from the start. James and I hit it off on social media and told our publishers to get us together. Australia is one of my favorite places in the world, and we immediately knew we wanted to write a song that represents country music worldwide. James being an Australian native in the country genre made this collaboration so authentically us, and I'll speak for James when I say – this is the 'Smoke I've Known.' I can't wait for everyone to check it out."
Warner Records Nashville's Chase Matthew is one of country music's boldest new voices, blending small-town grit with arena-ready ambition. With his current single, "Holdin' It Down," charging up the country radio charts (following his 2025 multi-week No. 1 "Darlin'"), the Nashville native continues his rapid rise " boasting more than 1.7 BILLION global streams and a loyal 2.5M+ social following, while gearing up for his next album, arriving summer 2026. Known for his country-or-nothing attitude, rowdy live shows, and signature low-slung twang, Matthew recently earned his first iHeartRadio Award nomination for Best New Country Artist of the Year, adding to a growing list of accolades that includes HITS One to Watch, iHeart On The Verge (2025), MusicRow's Next Big Thing, Opry NextStage (Class of 2024), and Billboard's Rookie of the Month. Currently headlining his Holdin' It Down World Tour across the U.S. and Australia through summer 2026, he will next join Jason Aldean as direct support on his upcoming tour, after recently serving in the same role on Keith Urban's HIGH AND ALIVE WORLD TOUR, with previous runs alongside Aldean and Luke Bryan.
Last month, James 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 - for what was 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 marked a huge year for James, with standout recognition at the recent 2026 Countrytown Awards. Voted by fans, he took home Entertainer of the Year and Male Artist of the Year for the second consecutive year, alongside Song of the Year and Album of the Year. 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 35 weeks on the ARIA Australian Country Albums Chart, over 163 million global streams, three 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, Strummingbird, Gympie Music Muster, Savannah in the Round, 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:
MAY 1: COUNTRY FEST QLD PRESENTS HONKY TONK PRE PARTY, CAIRNS, AUSTRALIA
MAY 30: HIGH CHAPARRAL COUNTRY FESTIVAL, KULLTORP SWEDEN
JUNE 12: COUNTRY FEST QLD, TOWNSVILLE, AUSTRALIA
JUNE 13: BOOTS N' BEATS, CAMDEN, AUSTRALIA
AUGUST 1: TARA FESTIVAL OF CULTURE AND CAMEL RACES, TARA, 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
MAY 30: HIGH CHAPARRAL COUNTRY FESTIVAL, KULLTORP SWEDEN
JUNE 12: COUNTRY FEST QLD, TOWNSVILLE, AUSTRALIA
JUNE 13: BOOTS N' BEATS, CAMDEN, AUSTRALIA
AUGUST 1: TARA FESTIVAL OF CULTURE AND CAMEL RACES, TARA, 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
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