James Johnston and Chase Matthew have released “Smoke I’ve Known,” a collaboration that connects two small-town country stories separated by 10,000 miles and finds the common ground between them. The track is out now via Warner Music Australia, with the official music video premiering Friday, April 17. Written in Nashville, it’s a direct, emotionally honest exploration of roots, identity, and the memories that define where you come from. Listen here.
Johnston, a three-time Golden Guitar winner and the driving force behind the top-selling ARIA Charts Australian Country Album of 2025, describes the song as a tribute to dirt bikes, bonfire nights, and the moments that pull you back home. “Even though Chase grew up in Tennessee and I’m from Australia,” he says, “this song proves that while country life looks different across the world, the heart behind it is the same.” Matthew, whose current single “Holdin’ It Down” is climbing country radio after his 2025 multi-week #1 “Darlin’,” echoes that feeling. “Australia is one of my favorite places in the world,” he said, “and we immediately knew we wanted to write a song that represents country music worldwide.”
The chemistry between them isn’t manufactured. The two connected on social media, told their publishers to make it happen, and spent time in Nashville writing and filming the video together, riding bikes between sessions. That ease comes through in the track. It doesn’t sound like a strategic cross-market collaboration. It sounds like two people who actually get each other.
Johnston arrives at this release on serious momentum. At the 2026 Countrytown Awards, he swept Entertainer of the Year, Male Artist of the Year (both for the second consecutive year), Song of the Year, and Album of the Year. His sophomore record ‘Where You’ll Find Me’ is out now, produced by Jared Adlam with contributions from mentor and country superstar Morgan Evans. Matthew, meanwhile, boasts over 1.7 billion global streams, a growing list of major tour supports including Keith Urban and Jason Aldean, and a new album arriving summer 2026.
James Johnston 2026 Tour Dates:
Thu, May 1 — Cairns, Australia — Country Fest QLD Honky Tonk Pre Party
Fri, May 30 — Kulltorp, Sweden — High Chaparral Country Festival
Thu, Jun 12 — Townsville, Australia — Country Fest QLD
Fri, Jun 13 — Camden, Australia — Boots N’ Beats
Sat, Aug 1 — Tara, Australia — Tara Festival of Culture and Camel Races
Sat, Aug 16 — Writtle, UK — Country Calling Festival
Fri, Aug 29 — Amamoor, Australia — Gympie Music Muster
Oct 2-4 — Tailem Bend, Australia — The Bend Classic