Johnny Tyler

Who was Johnny Tyler?

Lehman Monroe "Johnny" Tyler was an American country musician.

His career began around 1945 on Stanchel Records with the band Original Hillbillies. In 1947 he signed a recording contract with RCA Victor, where he had the largest success of his career. His most well-known single for RCA was "Okie Boogie", which hit the Billboard charts in 1947. He also recorded together with Luke Wills, and for a time was a member of Wills's band, the Rhythm Busters.

In 1953 he appeared on radio on WGST out of Atlanta, Georgia. He became a member of Jimmie Smith and His Texans, which often made appearances at the Joe Cotton Rhythm Ranch. He recorded a few more singles at this time as well. In 1954 he played regularly on WGST and on the WSB Barn Dance, with Jimmie Smith. Later singles were issued on Ekko Records and Starday Records.

He died in 1961 at age 43. In 2006, all of his RCA singles were collected and released to compact disc.