James Johnston ProfileEarlier this week, Countrytown reported that Australian singer-songwriter James Johnston had hit a major milestone: he now has one million monthly listeners on Spotify.
It’s quite the career boost for the RAISED LIKE THAT hitmaker, who’s already selling out tours in Australia and making a name for himself internationally. Plus, he’s a festival favourite, always pulling crowds with his feel-good brand of country music.
But Johnston is far from the only Australian country music star pulling in plenty of listeners. According to Spotify data, he’s third only behind Keith Urban and Mack Geiger, who have amassed 6.9 million and 2.8 million monthly listeners, respectively.
And sooner rather than later, we predict that Wade Forster will reach the million milestone, with over 877,000 monthly listeners to his name. At #5 is Morgan Evans with 706,000 monthly listeners.
Other stars in Spotify’s list of the most-streamed country artists in Australia include Casey Barnes, with 331,000 monthly listeners, Taylor Moss with 307,000 monthly listeners, Zac & George with 260,000 monthly listeners, the iconic Slim Dusty right behind them with 259,000 monthly listeners, Lane Pittman with 219,000 monthly listeners, Kasey Chambers with 216,000 monthly listeners, Tyla Rodrigues with 194,000 monthly listeners, Brad Cox with 147,000 monthly listeners, and more.
Plus, honorary Aussie Kaylee Bell also makes the cut, with the New Zealand singer-songwriter having 440,000 monthly listeners to her name. Check out the list of Australia’s 20 biggest streaming country artists below.
Earlier this year, Spotify confirmed that country music has grown 115% in popularity in Australia over the past three years, as shown by the strong embrace of homegrown country artists. Plus, Australia ranks fourth in the world for listeners discovering country music.
Additionally, 92% of country music streams across Australia on Spotify come from listeners in metropolitan areas, such as Sydney and Brisbane.
In May and June, Ella Langley’s Choosin’ Texas made it to the top of the ARIA Singles Chart, but was topped by Taylor Swift’s return to country music with her Toy Story 5 track, I Knew It, I Knew You.
Tours for Megan Moroney and Wade Forster are in high demand this year, while Aussies frequently sell out shows for Luke Combs, Chris Stapleton, and more, and show up in force at events such as the Tamworth Country Music Festival, Groundwater Country Music Muster, and the Deni and Gympie Music Musters.
Australia’s 20 Biggest Streaming Country Artists Revealed
Keith Urban: 6.9 million
Mack Geiger: 2.8 million
James Johnston: 1.0 million
Wade Forster: 877,000
Morgan Evans: 706,000
Kaylee Bell: 440,000 (Honorary Aussie)
Adam Harvey: 407,000
Casey Barnes: 331,000
Taylor Moss: 307,000
John Williamson: 287,000
Zac & George: 260,000
Slim Dusty: 259,000
Redgum: 239,000
Lee Kernaghan: 229,000
Lane Pittman: 219,000
Kasey Chambers: 216,000
Tyla Rodrigues: 194,000
Willie Pake: 179,000
Brad Cox: 147,000
James Blundell: 126,000






