Exclusive Interview with John Smyths

Johan Smits aka John Smyths was born in March 1961 in the old town of Nijmegen and was introduced to the world of music by his parents and older brother. Although it wasn’t the kind of music he liked, it was music. When his wild years were over, he got more and more into country music and listened to Conway Twitty, Hank Williams, Waylon Jennings, Kenny Rogers, Tammy
Wynette and so on. Moving to Germany he would go to the studio regularly to record covers of some well-known country songs, even recorded three of his own songs and was on stage several times, mostly in Germany and Belgium While he might have only started releasing music on digital platforms under the moniker John Smyths, Johan Smits has been sharing singles for years – so he’s not all that much of a newbie on the scene. Raised on a diet of Kiss, Van Halen, Iron Maiden and AC/DC, Smyths found a base in the old-school rock scene; however, he’s not afraid to saunter across different genres and
found himself wading through country music with Hank Williams, Kenny Rogers and Waylon Jennings. This year, 2025, John Smyths was honored with an international Award for his song “Loving you makes me a Better Man” by the Red Carpet Show Awards in Europe (FPCM). He is also nominated for the “Elite Music Awards 2025” with the song “Now I´m Wiser”. For 2026, there will be 3 new songs coming out and 2 duets will be recorded as well. Also for 2026, he´ll be on the Country Festival in Viechtach, is, again, invited at the Red Carpet Show Awards in Europe (FPCM) and in Vienna for some interviews. So, there is something going on and the list of performing is getting longer. Check out the exclusive interview below:

1. Your roots can often shape your journey. Can you share a story or moment from your early life that had a significant impact on your path into music?

John Smyths: The thing that really had an impact on my life, was the fact that KISS came into my life. I remember that they were on national television and the people spoke about it as if they were from hell. My only thoughts were like “wow, they really look cool, I like that”. From that day on (1973/74) till now, KISS is my favorite.

2. Did your musical journey begin with formal training, or was it more of a personal exploration? How has that shaped your unique approach to your craft?

John Smyths: Music was always a companion of mine. Since the day I was born, I sang, (well the first few years were obviously more like shouting 😊). Than I made a drumkit of old buckets and and an old dusty chair, wanted to get guitarlessons, my mother didn´t liked it, my father wanted to buy me a drumkit, my mother didn´t liked it ( she was more into classical). And by the time I got older, I changed the sound of music from Hardrock to Countryrock (Kentucky Headhunter, Blackberry Smoke…) to Country (Alan Jackson, George Strait, Johnny Cash….)

3. Who were some of the most influential figures in your early musical life, and how did they inspire your sound? Also, what’s the story behind choosing the name ‘John Smyths’?

John Smyths: Like I mentioned before, the early influence came from KISS, for country however, it was Alan Jackson, George Strait, Johnny Cash and so on. The name John Smyths, well first it was John Smiths, but do you know how many John Smiths there are when you look on the internet? Not easy to be found among thousands!! So I changed the “i” into “y” and it went to Smyths. Now it more easy to find me on the internet 😊

4. What do you believe sets your music apart? How would you describe your sound to someone discovering you for the first time, and what emotions or experiences do you hope to evoke in your listeners?

John Smyths: Well, I think that my voice is not that common and that I have my own sound, full of emotions. Most of my music is about me or relatives or a situation I’ve gone through. That makes me emotional and I hope that the fans or people, listening to my music, feel it. Feel the emotion in the song and sometimes these stories, I´m telling, sound familiar to the listeners.

5. For most artists, originality is first preceded by a phase of learning and, often, emulating others. What was this like for you? How would you describe your own development as an artist and music maker, and the transition towards your own style, which is known as country?

John Smyths: As you get older (and wiser 😊) you like to sing in a more relaxed way. At least Ido. Country music was for me a way to express myself, without the rush of hardrock. The way of storytelling in country music, is the way I like to sing and perform.

6. Music often transcends entertainment. What’s your view on the role and function of music as political, cultural, spiritual, and/or social vehicles – and do you try and affront any of these themes in your work, or are you purely interested in music as an expression of technical artistry, personal narrative, and entertainment?

John Smyths: As an artist, I stay far away from any political opinion. But I´m not afraid to express how I feel, what´s going on in the world. One of my favorit songs, that is on my playlist, is my cover of Alan Jackson´s “Where were you (when the world stopped turning) which is a song, dedicated to 11. September (9-11)

7. Can you walk us through your creative process? From the first spark of an idea to the finished track, what’s the most essential part of your process, and how do collaboration or external influences shape your work?

John Smyths: Sometimes, someone makes a remark. Then I think about it, sit down and start writing.

Sometimes, I reflect on my life and start writing. The idea for a song is mostly always born in a split-second, after discussions, remarks or reflections.

8. What’s been the most challenging hurdle in either your personal life or music career, and how has it shaped you as an artist?

John Smyths: Well, I´ve done some stupid things in the past and it´s not so easy to write about it, but when you do, you write the feeling of guild away from you. My cover “Loving you makes me a better Man” is one of those songs (this was also my first award-winning song) and my own song, “Now I´m Wiser”, is a reflection on my life from youth till now.

9. On the flip side, what moment or achievement in your career so far has made you feel the proudest, and why? And let’s talk about your latest release and future plans.

John Smyths: There is not really a special moment that made me proud. People are giving you appreciation that you need. First you make a song for you. After that, people come around, telling you that they like what you´re doing and they actually listen to your songs. These moments are, for me, moments to cherish.

What truly makes me proud is the fact that my wife supports me!

My last release is called “Last Night”, which is a song about wishful thinking. What if I would meet Johnny Cash, Alan Jackson and George Strait? Would I sit down with them and talk about music? It´s a thought, transferred in, what I think, a beautiful ballad.

10. On the flip side, what moment or achievement in your career so far has made you feel the proudest, and why? And let’s talk about your latest release and future plans.

What truly makes me proud is the fact that my wife supports me!