After months of tense Sunday nights full of highs and lows, last weekend was the first time James, his dad Grant, his mum Marie and his sister Shona could just sit back and relax.

Shona admitted it felt a little weird to not have to worry about Australian Idol but Marie felt a strong sense of relief.

“I came off the high pretty quickly,” Marie said.

Marie and Grant are happy to be able to focus back on their family business, Chelmsford Farm Machinery in Taree, and they are looking at James’ budding career as a business too.

The final stages of the Idol race became frustrating for Marie because she felt the judges were showing a strong bias against James succeeding in the competition.

“The bias was getting worse and they were starting to belittle him a little bit,” Marie said.

“But now he can have control of his own career - he can run his own business.”

And the opportunities are now coming through thick and fast.

James has signed with Gold Coast talent agency Showcase Entertainment, which represents many of the Idol alumni including Shannon Noll and Paulini.

A number of exciting opportunities are in the pipeline at the moment, which are likely to be announced next year.

In the meantime, James will be kept busy with upcoming shows including a ‘welcome home’ concert at Harrigans Irish Pub, Harrington, on December 18.

This will be an opportunity for James to showcase some of his original songs, which viewers weren’t able to hear during his Idol journey.

Tickets are $20, available now from Harrigans and Video Ezy in Victoria Street, Taree.

All ages are welcome, but under 18s need to be accompanied by an adult.

James is also set to perform some unique shows at Iguanas, Gosford, with his best mate Chad Haydon and he’s been sought-after for for radio interviews and other appearances.

Today, he will perform in Newcastle for radio station New FM.

James is looking to relocate to the Central Coast with three of his Wingham mates.