Australian Country Music Star James Johnston to Run 100km to Tamworth for Charity

It's a massive week for Australian country music sensation, 2x Golden Guitar winner, and ARIA nominee James Johnston. From beginning his 100K run for the Ronald McDonald House in Tamworth, to releasing his empowering new single 'HELL BOY' through Warner Music Australia, and co-hosting the 2025 Golden Guitar Awards " this guy can't slow down.

Fans can listen to 'HELL BOY' exclusively before it's released first by donating to the Ronald McDonald House in Tamworth. Further information is available at jamesjohnston.com

Speaking about the new track, James said, "There's a special kind of magic in watching your children grow. As a dad, I've found myself echoing the words of my old man, instilling the same values in my boys. HELL BOY is a reflection of that journey. It's a song about the power of love, the importance of hard work, and the thrill of living life to the fullest."

Yesterday, James kicked off the Road to Tamworth – his four-day journey leading up to the Tamworth Country Music Festival weekend. He will run 100 km from Armidale to Tamworth to raise $10,000 for Ronald McDonald House. Fans will have the opportunity to run the last 1km with him, starting at 7:30 am from on Peel Street directly outside Woolworths opposite Red Rooster and Woolworths.

Each evening along the way, James will host pop-up campfire acoustic performances for local communities - stop offs will include Uralla, Bendemeer, Moonbi, and Kootingal and locations of the performances will be shared on James' social media each day.

'HELL BOY' arrives on the eve of James' one-off headline show in Tamworth, The Music That Made Me, before he co-hosts the 53rd Toyota Golden Guitar Awards alongside Max Jackson. James has received four nominations, alongside Lee Kernaghan, including Vocal Collaboration of the Year, Song of the Year, CMT Video of the Year, and Single of the Year for their song 'Who I Am.'

In the coming months, James is set to take his music to the stage at Melbourne Muster and the QLD Music Trails – Outback Sounds.

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, 80 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:
​JANUARY 23: KIX LIVE IN THE PARK, Tamworth NSW
​JANUARY 24: JAMES JOHNSTON | THE MUSIC THAT MADE ME, Tamworth NSW
​APRIL 5: MELBOURNE MUSTER, Caribbean Park VIC
​MAY 3: QLD MUSIC TRAILS - OUTBACK SOUNDS, Charleville QLD
​JUNE 27: COUNTRY FEST, Bloomsbury QLD