A spirited statement of pride in his rural roots, James Johnston’s 2021 hit “RAISED LIKE THAT” fulfilled the potential that the singer displayed when he competed on Australia’s biggest TV talent shows. Born in Wingham, New South Wales in 1990, Johnston learned the songs of Johnny Cash and Garth Brooks while on the road with his dad, who sold and serviced tractors on farms. “I was a big fan of American country growing up,” he told Apple Music. “As a kid, I would spend hours learning his songs and, with a big hat and boots, I’d dream of being a country music star.” Johnston’s love of music and performing led to appearances on Australian Idol—where he placed third in 2009—and the Australian version of The X Factor. After years of gigging around Australia, he came into his own as a songwriter while living in Nashville in the mid-2010s. Becoming the fastest-ever debut single by an Australian country artist to reach a million streams, “RAISED LIKE THAT” also became the opener and title track of his debut album in 2023. The self-released 20-tracker followed through on its namesake’s central theme of a down-home upbringing, thanks to tracks like “OLD COUNTRY BARN” and “WE GREW UP ON”. Confirming his induction into Australian country royalty, Johnston guested on the 2024 single “Who I Am” by genre veteran Lee Kernaghan.