# John Rooney Announces New Album

**New Music** — On Your Markus  
**Published:** 31 March 2026  
**Author:** Markus Hamence  
**Source:** https://onyourmarkus.au/new-music-releases/john-rooney-announces-new-album/

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**JOHN ROONEY ANNOUNCES LONG AWAITED NEW ALBUM DETAILS**

** HOODWINK – OUT 17 APRIL**

“*Singing super surgeon*”, **[John Rooney](https://facebook.us13.list-manage.com/track/click?u=50c508a822fbfa87e526cc369&id=cf6e41ce7e&e=712e79efd9)**, has announced details of his new album, ***Hoodwink***, to be released on **Friday, 17 April 2026 **through **[MGM Distribution](https://facebook.us13.list-manage.com/track/click?u=50c508a822fbfa87e526cc369&id=a97154b5b3&e=712e79efd9)**.

![](https://media.onyourmarkus.au/originals/40357/nXcEbIwg.jpg)

**John Rooney** formed his first band **The Lonelyhearts** in the Sydney suburb of Liverpool, a fiercely talented power pop band that went on to release a number of independent records.

He recently returned to the stage performing the opening slot on **Jimmy Barnes’** ***Working Class Man 40th Anniversary Tour***.

With his pure, sweet, wonderfully melodic voice, Rooney has captured new fans and excited old fans, delivering an emotional rapport and unique following.

![](https://media.onyourmarkus.au/originals/40358/6Phum56A.jpg)

Rooney’s sumptuous melodies and his diverse and inspirational lyrics caught the attention of A-list producer **Kevin Shirley** (*Joe Bonamassa, Aerosmith, The Black Crowes, Cold Chisel, Silverchair*) with ***Hoodwink ***being recorded in Los Angeles and Nashville with legendary musicians including **Waddy Wachtel**(*Stevie Nicks, Linda Ronstadt*), **Rusty Anderson** (*Paul McCartney*), **Don Was**(*Was Not Was, Ryan Adams & The Cardinals*), **Chris Chaney** (*Jane’s Addiction, AC/DC*), **Benmont Tench** (*Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers*), **Spooner Oldham** (*Aretha Franklin, Bob Dylan, Neil Young*) and **Jim Keltner** (*Traveling Wilburys, John Lennon, George Harrison*). The album was mixed by multiple Grammy Award winner **Bob Clearmountain** (*Bruce Springsteen, The Rolling Stones, Toto, Bon Jovi, Bryan Adams*) delivering a lush and uplifting album of pure delight.

The first single from the album, *Trouble Always Finds Me,* features his old friend, **Jimmy Barnes,** on vocals.  Click below to view the video:

John and Jimmy have a very special connection. On the night that Jimmy married Jane, **Cold Chisel** were doing a gig at the Comb and Cutter Hotel in Blacktown where the support act was **The Lonelyhearts**. While Jimmy’s career remained on stage, John’s did a detour and he went on to become one of Australia’s best orthopaedic surgeons. As John said, “*Jimmy went to superstardom and I went to being on call at St Vincent’s*”. 

Jimmy and John’s friendship was rekindled following Barnes’ well documented health issues. As Jimmy said, *“This man got me up dancing again when he operated on my hips, not once, not twice but three times.”*

John said, “*For the last few months I have been opening up for my dear friend Jimmy Barnes on his 40th anniversary WCM tour. A once in a lifetime experience which I can’t thank Jimmy and Jane for enough. It’s not every day you get to put down your scalpel and pick up a microphone! *

*“Now, I’m excited to finally release my new album, Hoodwink, through MGM Distribution. The list of musicians I got to work with is second to none and the first single, and opening track, is a duet with Jimmy – Trouble Always Finds Me – which could be a reflection on both our lives (maybe his a little more than mine). I hope you enjoy it!”*

***Hoodwink ***is released on **Friday, 17 April 2026** through **MGM Distribution**and is available now for pre-order from [here](https://facebook.us13.list-manage.com/track/click?u=50c508a822fbfa87e526cc369&id=c67c62a754&e=712e79efd9).

**CONNECT WITH JOHN ROONEY**

**[Website](https://facebook.us13.list-manage.com/track/click?u=50c508a822fbfa87e526cc369&id=5bc18fd9dd&e=712e79efd9)**** | ****[Facebook](https://facebook.us13.list-manage.com/track/click?u=50c508a822fbfa87e526cc369&id=59b73e62c5&e=712e79efd9)**** | ****[Instagram](https://facebook.us13.list-manage.com/track/click?u=50c508a822fbfa87e526cc369&id=6eff7e955b&e=712e79efd9)**** | ****[YouTube](https://facebook.us13.list-manage.com/track/click?u=50c508a822fbfa87e526cc369&id=d88b2b0072&e=712e79efd9)**

![John Rooney](https://media.onyourmarkus.au/originals/40362/UrS_bA6Q.jpg)

![John Rooney](https://media.onyourmarkus.au/originals/40361/tMv5C9nA.jpg)

![John Rooney](https://media.onyourmarkus.au/originals/40363/lGPsSv-g.jpg)

![John Rooney](https://media.onyourmarkus.au/originals/40360/mz0p_EEQ.jpg)

![John Rooney](https://media.onyourmarkus.au/originals/40364/6KYD4FQ.jpg)