SEVEN years at Star Struck transformed current Australian Idol contestant James Johnston from a budding country performer into an unstoppable singer-songwriter.
He took the stage by storm. The directors loved him. The crowds loved him.
But was it Star Struck that put our Australian Idol contestant on the map? Or the other way around?
"I think it's more like us claiming him now," Star Struck director-producer John Deacon says. "I always find myself telling people that I know James, that I've worked with him.
"I'd like to say we taught him everything, but to be honest, he was already an arrow flung from a bow. James has always been destined for big things."
John Deacon has been involved in the running of Star Struck since its creation in 1993. The annual variety spectacular sees more than 3500 students from the Hunter and Central Coast regions dance, sing and play their way through a series of concerts at the Newcastle Entertainment Centre. Each production is based on a single theme and involves kids of all school ages.
James Johnston was only 10 when he first auditioned as a soloist in October 2001.
"It was during one audition we held at Chatham High School that I first met James," John says.
"I remember this little kid climbing up on stage. He told us he was going to sing 'Bad Bad Leroy Brown'.
"I though to myself, 'This is going to be interesting'. But it was more than that. It was absolutely fabulous."
James' debut Star Struck performance came when he was in year 6 at Wingham Brush Public School. His rendition of The Monkees' hit single 'I'm a Believer' did more than entertain. It made people sit up and take notice.
"When James is on stage, people look at him," John says. "He's got a natural presence. He's versatile. He's professional. He just loves what he does, and it is infectious.
"And yet he'll walk away from the stage and he's just a normal guy."
Needless to say, James went back and auditioned for next year. And the next year. And the year after that as well.
In all, James featured as a Star Struck soloist for seven consecutive productions between 2002 and 2008.
His role in the show increased with each year, and by 2007, he was one of the mainstays. His stint on the stage saw him belt out songs from The Who, Elvis Presley, Michael Buble, Johnny Cash, Frankie Ford and John Farnham, plus vocals with a number of group acts.
"Every audition he'd come along with something new for us," John says.
"I remember one year I saw James playing guitar backstage with some of the other musos. The next year he brought his guitar along to auditions. He ended up using it when he took the stage that year.
"The year after that he showed me a few songs he'd written. They were so good that we included one of them in the program."
That song was The Most Important Things - an uplifting tune written to fit the 2008 theme of 'Change'.
"He's got a deepness and warmth to his voice that has been there ever since he was a kid," John says. "It's incredible. Even before his voice broke, he wasn't afraid to let it rip. And as his voice got deeper, it got richer. I know he gets nervous before he sings, but he doesn't show it. When he gets into that little slot he becomes a true performer."
James was one of five artists from Star Struck 2008 to be awarded a $1000 Energy Australia Scholarship to further their careers in the performing arts.
Even though he was too old to take part in the 2009 production, he still featured on the front cover of the program.
It's clear that we're dealing with one extraordinary kid here. But is he Australian Idol material?
"He's got as a good a chance of winning as anyone else on the show," says John.
"He's a good lookin' guy and I'm sure there are a lot of young girls out there who love him. I don't think it matters if he is voted off today or tomorrow.
"What matters is that the world now knows about James Johnston."
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