INTRODUCTION

Hello everyone it’s your host Faithfulness and today I have with me John Smyths from Germany, Morbach. John Smyths is here to discuss about his recent single “Now I’m Wiser”. Welcome John Smyths. Before we begin our interview here is what you need to know about this artist.

Born Johan Smits in March 1961 in the Dutch town of Nijmegen, John Smyths is a singer and songwriter whose musical journey reflects both authenticity and evolution. Introduced to music by his family at an early age, Smyths developed a deep passion that later found its home in the storytelling traditions of country music. Influenced by legends like Conway Twitty, Hank Williams, Waylon Jennings, Kenny Rogers, and Tammy Wynette, he learned to value songs that speak from the heart and tell honest, lived stories. Yet his love for the powerful sounds of Kiss, Van Halen, Iron Maiden, and AC/DC added a touch of rock energy to his creative expression, shaping a sound that is both grounded and adventurous. After relocating to Germany, Smyths expanded his craft through studio recordings, live performances, and original songwriting, connecting with audiences across Germany, Belgium, and beyond. His dedication and talent have earned him multiple nominations at the 2025 Red Carpet Show International in Wageningen, including Country Voice of the Year and Songwriter of the Year, as well as an invitation to perform at the prestigious Country Messe in Erfurt, solidifying his place as one of Europe’s most heartfelt and respected voices in country music.

John Smyths will be in Nashville in June 2026 for the last concert of one of his greatest idols, Alan Jackson. It will be a deeply significant moment for him, as Alan Jackson’s music has been a major source of inspiration throughout his life and career.

Having this brief Introduction, I’m sure new and current fans must be excited about our Interview today.

INTERVIEW

1.To begin with, let’s review your recent work. “Now I’m Wiser” feels like a deeply personal reflection on your life’s journey. What moment or experience inspired you to write this song?

Answer: It all about getting older (and wiser 😊) From the time we were young, till the days we are now, you grow and take a lifetime experience with you.

2. You have gone from being a heavy metal listener in your youth to a country artist who values storytelling and reflection. How did that transformation shape your identity as a musician?

Answer: Well, you take the best of two worlds. Right now, I feel very good singing country, listening to country, but also still listening to Heavy Metal. My taste of music is can´t be captured in a box, it´s more, I can even enjoy listening to classical music. But in the end, it´s country that has got (for me) the right feeling. This mixture of listening to music makes one very rich in how to make music and to put your feelings into a song

3. You’ve mentioned artists like Alan Jackson, George Strait, and Kenny Rogers as influences. How have these artists guided your creative direction and sound?

Answer: Very, when I started to sing country, my first song that I recorded in a studio was “Amarillo by Morning” a George Strait song. Then I started to discover more artists like Alan Jackson, Hal Ketchum, Steve Earl and more

4. “Now I’m Wiser” captures the feeling of learning from life rather than regretting it. What have been some of the most important lessons that inspired this message?

Answer: I think that a lot of people, who have also become my age, know this feeling of the 70´s, where you were wild and free. We did some crazy stuff in those days. Things that, when we look back, regret a lot. The pain and worries it gave to the parents…..well, not good. But still, even when we grew older, we made mistakes and learned from it. I’ve some terrible mistakes, that I will regret till the end of my days, but hey, they happened, lessons learned!

5. Is there a particular song other than this one, you are keen on that seems to communicate your message best and why?

Answer: Oh definitely. One of my favorit songs, that I covered in the studio was “Lovin´you makes me a better Man” a song from Hal Ketchum, which tells the story of a chapter in my life. I been awarded for this song at the “Red Carpet Show International 2025” in the Netherlands

6. What are some of the difficulties you encountered and some of the highlights in ‘Now I´m Wiser’ making process?

Answer: In fact, there were no difficulties in making “Now I´m Wiser” I can think of. Or it must be the time I had to travel to record it in the studio. The studio is located in the Netherlands. For me, it´s a 4 hours’ drive. But is was worth it. It still is, because for next year I will be doing the same.

7. You have received praise and awards from platforms such as Waveney Valley Radio and the Red Carpet Show Awards. How does that recognition affect your motivation as an artist?

Answer: Very, I mean, every artist is looking for some kind of recognition or confirmation in the fact that he or she is on the right way and people appreciate what you’re doing.

8. Your songwriting carries both emotional honesty and spiritual depth. How do you approach writing lyrics that are simple yet filled with meaning?

Answer: Just writing from the heart. Ask yourself what you want to tell the audience and what do you feel about a song. If the feeling isn’t right, don´t do it. So, it´s more what you want to share instead of what people like to hear. If you write a song that people want to hear, you just not listen to your heart but to commercial influence.

9. Could you describe how this release is different from your previous work and where this one belongs in the sequence of your career?

Answer: Now I´m Wiser is an up-tempo song, which I don´t do often. If the reflections of my life are fast passing by (and life is), I thought it would be nice to make a song which also goes by as fast as life. And I think it really worked out good.

10. Were there any collaborations or production choices that played a big role in shaping the final sound?

Answer: Yes. I had already written the text and had this up-tempo idea, so I contacted the studio, and we created this sound. The studio in the Netherlands “Het Atelier” is well equipped with Tim Hemme as the sound engineer and Frans Vollink as an excellent mixer, completed with live musicians and background singers. When this all came together, inputs from everyone, Now I´m Wiser was born as, what we think, a great product.

11. Since you released ‘Now I´m Wiser’, what has the reaction of the fans been?

Answer: They are excited. I´ve got great responses all over the world and a lot of “well-done” handshakes.

12. How can your fans reach you and your music whether through the internet or in person?

Answer: They can reach me through my website www.bestcountry.eu where they can find my mobilenumber and leave comments. Or they can visit “johnsmythsmusic” on Facebook. Also on TikTok @johnsmythsmusic they can see me. Or, if needed, they can directly call me on +49 176 225 857 37.

There are some events where they can meet me in person in 2026. Events are known, just the dates aren´t, but will be announced on my website and Facebook. So, keep following me.

13. Looking ahead, you mentioned that 2026 will bring new songs and duets. What can listeners expect from these upcoming releases, and how do they build on what you shared in “Now I’m Wiser”?

Answer: Yes, there are 3 duets in the pipeline and 3 new songs, again from the heart and one of them is about my brother. The duets will be with well-respected ladies from the country scene in Europe and the US. I´m really looking forward to this and for the fans, have patience, it will be beautiful.

14. What is one thing that your fans do not know about you but would want to reveal?

Answer: Wow, let me think……….well, I´m retired now 😊😊 So, music is now my main work and I like it.

15. Would you like to add any concluding thoughts to your fans or new listeners hearing about you for the first time?

Answer: You know, I came from far , it wasn´t always easy but I never gave up. Listen to “Now I’m Wiser” is a story about life, about getting older. About reflections what you made of it. And I sincerely hope that people love this song and say “Hey, that´s a story of my life too”, because I´ve wrote this song felt from my side, but also knowing that I´m not the only one.

IN SUMMARY

This has been an exciting session for us all John Smyths, I believe fans and anyone out there just discovering your music for the first time are equally excited about this project. Thank you for the privilege to experience this masterpiece, it’s been an honor.

Here is my thought on what i have to say after listening to “Now I’m Wiser”:

Listening to “Now I’m Wiser” felt like hearing someone open their heart after a long silence. The song captures the quiet beauty of growth and self-understanding with remarkable tenderness. From the first strum of the acoustic guitar, I was drawn into its warm, reflective atmosphere, where every sound feels intentional and deeply human. Smyths’ voice carries a lived-in wisdom, the kind that only comes from years of love, loss, and learning, and his delivery feels more like a heartfelt conversation than a performance. The instrumentation is beautifully understated, built around soft guitars, gentle percussion, and subtle harmonies that bloom like sunlight breaking through morning clouds. What struck me most was the honesty in his writing; there’s no attempt to hide behind metaphor or grandeur, only the quiet truth of someone who has made peace with his past. “Now I’m Wiser” lingers long after it ends, not because of its volume or complexity, but because of its emotional purity. It’s a song that reminds you how wisdom often arrives softly, through stillness, reflection, and the courage to face yourself with honesty.

Finally to our audience, I urge to listen to “Now I’m Wiser“, add it to your playlist and be Inspired by it and on behalf of Dulaxi I like to appreciate you all by saying thank you everyone, See you on our next interview.