James Johnston ProfileCountry music trailblazer – and one of next year’s CMC Rocks headliners – Ashley McBryde surprised Australian sensation James Johnston with an invitation to make his Grand Ole Opry debut.
In video footage shared on Johnston’s social media accounts, McBryde stood on stage beside the Aussie star and invited him to step onto hallowed ground, the circle stage at the Grand Ole Opry on Thursday, 19 November.
“Last night is one I’ll never forget.… Thankyou Ashley McBryde and Grand Ole Opry I’m beyond excited to get to step into the circle on Thursday the 19th of November,” Johnston captioned the post, which he described as “one of the greatest surprises” of his life.
The forthcoming historic moment is yet another milestone for the Australian singer, who’s experiencing a meteoric rise in country music. He dominates Australian airwaves and streaming platforms, and in November, he’s taking the opportunity to appear on country music’s most famous stage.
Johnston’s upcoming Grand Ole Opry debut follows an impressive period for Australian artists taking over Nashville, with acts including Wade Forster and Mack Geiger performing on its hallowed ground this year.
In December 2024, former INXS member Andrew Farriss, whose solo music sits within the country realm, also made his Grand Ole Opry debut, and Keith Urban joined him on stage.
James Johnston recently returned home to Australia after an incredible debut headline tour across the UK. During his show in Glasgow, Scotland, he played the brand-new track, COUNTRY SONG – a surprise B-side to TAKES ME BACK – which fans already knew the lyrics to.
To make the moment even more special for his Scottish fans, Johnston brought out a bagpiper – an Australian musician living in Scotland – to boost the performance and bring COUNTRY SONG to life.
Earlier this year, he received standout recognition from the Countrytown Awards, with fans crowning him Entertainer of the Year and Male Artist of the Year for the second consecutive year, as well as naming BACK IN THE DAY Song of the Year and last year’s WHERE YOU’LL FIND ME Album of the Year.
