John Smyths Turns Back With His Country Single “Now I’m Wiser”

Now I’m Wiser, and You Can Bet I Feel It Too

It’s a late night, the kind when your coffee tastes more like a decision than a drink, and that’s exactly the hour John Smyths’ new single Now I’m Wiser found its way into my headphones. But it didn’t arrive with banners or buzz. It just showed up. Like an old friend tapping your shoulder to say, “Remember that thing we never talked about? Let’s talk.”

Born Johan Smits back in March ’61 in Nijmegen, the man’s seen more sunrises than most of us have Spotify playlists. He didn’t grow up on cowboy boots and slide guitars, no. More like a sonic salad of Kiss, Iron Maiden, AC/DC, with a side of Hank Williams and Conway Twitty creeping in later.

And here’s the thing – he’s no stage rookie. Germany and Belgium stages already know his boots well. 2025’s tour trail has him in Viechtach, Gerolstein, Wolfhagen, even back to Nijmegen. Plus, he’s hitting the Red Carpet Show International in Wageningen, nominated for things like “Country Voice of the Year” and “Songwriter of the Year.” He’s making moves the old-fashioned way – song by song, stage by stage.

From Rock Roots to Country Truths

When you’ve been raised on Van Halen riffs but find peace in a Kenny Rogers hook, you’re bound to stir the pot a bit. John Smyths does that without any remorse. He started recording in Germany – mostly covers, sure – but the kind that carry weight. And tucked between those were three of his own tracks, raw and honest. The kind you don’t write unless you’ve taken a few wrong turns and lived to write them down.

Now I’m Wiser walks in with quiet confidence. Less flash but more truth, telling you what it’s learned. This track feels like someone who’s done the work – loved, lost, maybe drank too much under bad lighting – and came out with a little gravel in their voice and a clearer view of the road ahead.

There’s a velvet sincerity in his vocal delivery. And maybe it’s that European precision mixing with the American storytelling tradition that makes it hit in a strangely universal way, I don’t know. I kept thinking: this ain’t Nashville, and thank God for that.

Old Town Grit, New Stage Grace

What makes this release hit harder is knowing it’s not the start of something. Because it’s a checkpoint, a chapter marker in a story that’s still unfolding. John Smyths keeps the wheel turning on roads he knows by heart And man, those roads have curves.

He’s on stage again this year at the Country Fair in Erfurt. Probably with the same quiet swagger you see in that cover photo – black cowboy hat, embroidered shirt, belt buckle that says earned, not bought. There’s a reason he’s nominated for “Country Blues Original.” He’s earned the dust on his boots.

As for me, I’ve got Now I’m Wiser on loop these days. Late hour or not, this track settles you. Makes you nod. Makes you feel. And if that ain’t what country music’s meant to do, I don’t know what is.

Follow John Smyths on Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, and Spotify. The story’s still rolling, and the music’s just getting warmer.