Johnny Smith

Johnny Smith

Guitarist · Vocalist · Songwriter

Long Beach, CA  •  San Francisco, CA

Rock Americana Country Blues
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About

Johnny Tillman Smith was born in Long Beach, California in 1962. Born into a musical family, a televised performance of Elvis playing "Hound Dog" inspired the 9-year-old Smith to pick up the guitar — and by age 10 he was regularly performing on stage with local professional musicians. He has played the same Martin D-35 since age 12.

After relocating to San Francisco, Johnny performed five songs on Sky Cafe's debut release and formed Alias Smith — a roots/rock band that won first prize in a regional Battle of the Bands competition. The debut CD (1997) helped secure an 18-date tour through Sweden and Finland and stage performances alongside The Beach Boys, Starship, Maria Muldaur, and Roger McGuinn.

As a solo artist he released Just a Man (2003), San Francisco Bay Jazz (2006) with Mark Holzinger and Chris Justin, and Gentlemen X (2009). His hit "Love Is Like a Rock" reached #1 on radio request lines, and "Fortune Teller" received honorable mention in the Napa Valley Music Festival Songwriters Competition.

  • Won Best Performer 3 of 3 times at the Northern California Songwriters Association
  • Regular on live television and radio broadcasts
  • Toured Sweden & Finland — 18 dates with Alias Smith
  • Performed alongside The Beach Boys, Starship, Maria Muldaur & Roger McGuinn
  • #1 radio hit with "Love Is Like a Rock"

"This collection of songs combines Johnny Tillman Smith and Michael Dane Hager's complementary songwriting skills and Aldoush Alpanian's typically attentive production. Lonely Voyager puts forth an acoustic/electric sound that is the ideal background for Michael's plaintive outcry and Johnny's forceful, soulful vocals."

— San Francisco Chronicle
Johnny Smith performing Johnny Smith performing

Music Videos

From the album Lonely Voyager

Lonely Voyager

Eyes of a Lonely Hunter · ft. Cedric Curtis

Discography

Album on Yellow Curb Records

Lonely Voyager
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Lonely Voyager
Remastered Edition
Melodic rock track with a singer-songwriter foundation, blending country-rock and Americana influences with powerful, gritty vocals in the vein of Pearl Jam and Nirvana. “Lonely Voyager” showcases Johnny Smith's strength in crafting emotionally driven, introspective songs built on a dynamic acoustic and electric sound. His soulful, commanding voice carries themes of reflection and resilience, supported by arrangements that fuse blues undertones with modern rock energy.
  • 1. Lonely Voyager 6:56
  • 2. Valley of the Moon 5:42
  • 3. Come Out 3:32
  • 4. Eyes of a Lonely Hunter 3:41
  • 5. Out of the Cavern 4:14
Genre: Rock / Americana / Country
Produced by: Aldoush Alpanian
Executive Producers: X DOT 25 Music
Mastered at: Rocket Lab by Michael Romanowski
Remastered by: Arash Adelpour

Vocals: Johnny Tillman Smith (1–5)
Guitars: Johnny Smith (1–5)
Lead Guitars: Cedric Curtis (1–5)
Bass: Scott Ross (1–5)
Drums: Daryll Borges (1–5)
Keyboards: Larry De La Cruz (1–4)
Sax: Larry De La Cruz (2, 3)
Accordion: Steve Della-Magera (1)
Harmony Vocals: Johnny Smith (4)
Harmony Vocals: Valentina Osinski and Lilli Oldfield of Screaming Divas (1–4)
Arrangements: Johnny Tillman Smith & Michael Dane Hager (1, 3)
Arrangements: Johnny Tillman Smith (2)
Arrangements: Michael Dane Hager (4, 5)

Lyrics — Lonely Voyager

All 5 songs from the album

1. Lonely Voyager
Lonely Voyager · Smith/Hager

She was born down by the water

Where the river meets the sea

They say it was a holy place

Just made for raising southern girls

But for her it was a prison

2. Valley of the Moon
Lonely Voyager · Smith/Hager

You can see it from a distance

With its neon signs that burn the sky

It's a city with no name

Whose lies are hidden behind the walls

Some are reaching for their hopes

3. Come Out
Lonely Voyager · Johnny Tillman Smith

You've always been a loner

Just happy with yourself

You don't know what you're missing

With your life up on the shelf

Come out

4. Eyes of a Lonely Hunter
Lonely Voyager · Michael Dane Hager

Well the eyes of a lonely hunter

Whose love has gone asunder

The heart of a desperate man

Too weak to make a stand

Now I feel like I am falling

5. Out of the Cavern
Lonely Voyager · Michael Dane Hager

Out of the cavern

Into the light

Just like the morning

After the night

Why do you make me feel this way