James Johnston Shares Heartfelt Reflective Single 'Back In The Day'

LISTEN TO 'BACK IN THE DAY' HERE

Co-written with Australian country icon Morgan Evans, 'BACK IN THE DAY' is a nostalgic homage to a simpler time"before the noise, division, and distractions. It's a heartfelt reminder of the joy found in community, connection, and life's little things.

Speaking about the new track, James said, "BACK IN THE DAY, was written from a raw and unfiltered place! I've known Morgan since I was about 10 years old and we just started chatting about that time in our lives and how things just seemed simpler. We started writing and the song came effortlessly! Putting myself back there brought back mixed feelings, ​ on one hand there is a real joy in going back to those simpler times, but at the same time there is a sadness in missing what felt like a happier, safer world! I feel BACK IN THE DAY really captures both of those emotions."

'BACK IN THE DAY' is the latest single from James Johnston, following the release of 'HELL BOY' in January, which he launched in a unique way. Fans could download 'HELL BOY' exclusively before its official release by donating to Ronald McDonald House in Tamworth"a charity he partnered with for his Road to Tamworth, a four-day journey leading up to the Tamworth Country Music Festival weekend. James ran over 100 km from Armidale to Tamworth, raising more than $21,000. In March this year, James won the fan-voted Countrytown Awards for 2025, including Entertainer of the Year and Male Artist of the Year. To close the awards ceremony, James performed a medley of his hits, including 'HELL BOY'.

In the coming months, James is set to take his music to the stage at Country Fest QLD in June, Gympie Music Muster in August, Night At The Parkland in September, Night At The Barracks and Savannah In The Round in October. Further details are available at jamesjohnston.com

2024 was a massive year for James, as he released his collaboration with Appel, 'COUNTRY IS FOR ME,' and took to the stage in South Africa, performing at the Cape Town Country Festival. James also released, 'BLAME', which received praise from notable outlets, including Rolling Stone Australia, The Daily Telegraph, The Music Network, Countrytown, and more. James toured alongside American country star Kip Moore, performing some of his biggest shows in Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane. These performances showcased his dynamic stage presence and solidified his reputation as a star in the industry. Scenestr remarked, "James created memorable musical moments that had fans cheering."

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 130 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, and with further music and shows to come in 2025, he is set to continue growing his fanbase and reputation in the months ahead.


UPCOMING LIVE DATES:

JUNE 27: COUNTRY FEST QLD, Bloomsbury QLD
​AUGUST 31: GYMPIE MUSIC MUSTER, Amamoor Creek QLD
​SEPTEMBER 14: NIGHT AT THE PARKLAND, Brisbane QLD
​OCTOBER 3: NIGHT AT THE BARRACKS, Manly NSW
​OCTOBER 11: SAVANNAH IN THE ROUND, Mareeba QLD