Now the rest of Australia will get the chance to see his talent.

Cedar Party’s James Johnston has made a strong impression in the audition stage of Australian Idol and is set to feature prominently in Network Ten’s high-rating singing contest.

The Wingham Chronicle understands that a film crew from the show spent a weekend at the Johnston family’s home earlier this month filming a bio of James to air in upcoming episodes.

James also features highly in the Idol promo currently airing on TV and online.

How far James has made it in the competition is being kept under wraps by the producers, but the honour of appearing in the ad is usually reserved for singers who make the top 24.

The ad names James among “Australia’s best new voices” and sees each featured singer adopting the persona of a legendary icon of the music industry such as Madonna, Michael Jackson and Axle Rose. James appears as Elvis Presley.

Although he is still a teenager, James Johnston is a performing veteran. He first appeared on stage aged four at the Taree and District Eisteddfod.

He entered a vocal section where most of the competitors sing nursery rhymes, but he was not interested in Mary and her little lamb. Instead, he launched into the rock classic Wild Thing.

He made such an impression that in subsequent years the eisteddfod split the vocal sections into nursery rhymes and contemporary sections.

He built a reputation as a youngster singing country tunes, but as he has grown up he’s settled into a more laid-back acoustic style in the vein of Jack Johnson and John Mayer.

James graduated to the stage of the Newcastle Entertainment Centre for Star Struck and Tamworth for the annual country music festival.

He is a mainstay at Tamworth and featured in Star Struck for an amazing seven years in a row.

James is also a talented songwriter and he has showcased his originals at Star Struck and during the past two Wingham Akoostik Music Festivals.

He graduated from Wingham High School last year and now splits his time between Newcastle and gigging on the Mid North Coast.

Australian Idol 2009 debuts on Southern Cross Ten on Sunday, August 9.

In the meantime, you can see James on the promo video at www.australianidol.com.au