The 22-year-old from Woodville will be in Nashville for a month where he will record his new album and film two video clips.

"To sign with an American label is great. They have the contacts I need and this label is in the heartland of country music," Johnston said.

Johnston began performing at the age of five and has supported country stars such as Felicity Urquhart and Adam Harvey.

He played at the opening concert at Bicentennial Park at Tamworth Country Music Festival in January and has been a regular finalist in the Toyota Star Maker contest held at the event.

During the past few years he has been travelling more to Nashville to perform and it was during a performance there last year that he gained the attention of CMG Nashville president Steve Riley.

Riley hosted a country music week video showcase for independent artists and some of the well-known Nashville favourites during the Country Music Association Music Festival.

"Dean had the charisma and talent that shone through and I would say that he has the personality to make it," Riley said.

"CMG expressed an immediate interested in marketing Dean's career in the United States and Canada."