THE Hunter's Star Struck family has been called on to back one of its own.
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James Johnston, a former solo performer in the popular school spectacular, is the Hunter's last Australian Idol hopeful, after making it through to the final eight on Sunday.
But the moment was bittersweet. The 18-year-old's progress came only when his good mate, Newcastle's Tim Johnston, was voted off.
James Johnston has entertained Star Struck audiences since 2002, performing in front of more than 100,000 people.
Star Struck office manager Madeleine Atkins said if all the 100,000 people who enjoyed Johnston's performances in the past voted for him "we would have our very own Newcastle-based Australian Idol".
Born in Wingham, Johnston first performed aged four, when he debuted at a preschool concert singing the Garth Brooks song Friends In Low Places.
Johnston was a regular busker at Tamworth Country Music Festival, earning up to $1500.
His ability to earn a living from his voice continued into young adulthood with Johnston performing everywhere from Newcastle to Port Macquarie in the years before Australian Idol.
The 4000-strong community of Wingham has rallied behind their singing son, none more so than parents Grant and Marie and sister Shona.
Just how far Johnston's star would rise was the million-dollar question, Marie Johnston said.
"Last week gave us a scare [Johnston was in the bottom three Idol contestants] but we just gave him a lot of motherly and fatherly love and support and he bounced back," Mrs Johnston said.
"Star Struck was the most wonderful experience for him, it's like a big family.
"Because of them, James learnt so much and could use his experience for Australian Idol."
Judges have not been too hard on Johnston, with Ian Dickson describing him as "sexy in training wheels".
And he's received plenty of female attention since joining the show. He gets stopped in the street and asked for autographs or photographs and has even been cyber-stalked on social networking site, Facebook.
These realities of fame Johnston found amusing, but when it came to his musical career, things were very serious, he said.
Every few weeks Johnston set himself a new goal, his latest was to make the top four idols.
This week's show (Sunday, 7.30pm) will (hopefully) feature Johnston's own idol Harry Connick Junior as guest judge for big band night.
