'It's Crazy Where Life Takes You': James Johnston Receives His First International Award

James Johnston has just achieved a new career milestone: his first-ever international award.

Over the weekend, South Africa’s Bok Radio hosted the 2025 Bokkies, where James Johnston and South African collaborator Appel took home the prestigious award for Song of the Year for their song, COUNTRY IS FOR ME.

Johnston shared the excellent news on his Instagram on Sunday (1 June). Holding the award, the Australian singer-songwriter captioned his post:

Last night! I won my first international award for SONG OF THE YEAR at the 🇿🇦 South Africa @bokradio989fm awards!!! With my good friend @appelmusiek for COUNTRY IS FOR ME!! it’s crazy where life takes you! A year ago, I never could have imagined I would be here [accepting] this award! But the love I have felt for this song and my music in South Africa has been incredible!
Thank you for making this Australian boy feel so welcomed half way around the world!! ❤️❤️ Thankyou to my team and everyone who was part of this project to make it happen, it takes a village! Special mention to @astrojerry for the passion you poured into this tracks when producing it! Thank you brother!

Johnston’s win comes after continually building a fan base in South Africa. In October 2024, he made his live debut in the country, performing at the Cape Town Country Music Festival alongside Kip Moore, Zac Brown Band, Darius Rucker, Brothers Osborne, Morgan Wade, and Craig Morgan.

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In May, the award-winning Australian singer-songwriter released his latest single, BACK IN THE DAY. Co-written with longtime friend and fellow Aussie country star Morgan Evans, the track taps into a deep sense of nostalgia. “BACK IN THE DAY was written from a raw and unfiltered place!” Johnston shared.

The track is a reflective ode to community and connection, two values that sit at the heart of everything Johnston stands for. It follows his January release, HELL BOY, which made headlines for its unique charity-driven launch. Earlier this year, he took home the Entertainer of the Year and Male Artist of the Year awards at the inaugural Countrytown Awards.