The Sunshine Boys recorded a few gospel songs for the Village label in 1945 and some secular numbers for the Pan-American label in 1947, but the brothers were more interested in pursuing country and western music, so John and his brother (nicknamed "Smitty") left the group in 1949. They were replaced by J.D. Sumner and Fred Daniel. The brothers continued to perform as the "Smith Brothers" until their retirement in 1965.