In the 40 years Joanna Marie knew Ernie Smith, their relationship spanned musical and personal mentorship. At the time of the singer-songwriter’s death on April 16, she was his manager.

As a tribute to Smith — who was 80 when he passed away at the University of Miami in Florida — she recorded Walk Good, My Friend. The song is produced by Ed Robinson, her husband.

“It was deeply emotional for me. This was not just another recording — it was a moment of reflection, loss and love. There were times I had to pause because it all became so real,” said Joanna Marie. “Every word came from a genuine place in my heart.”

The longtime South Florida resident became Smith’s manager in 2022. Along with his contemporary Pluto Shervington (who died in 2024), he was a regular on the live show scene in that region, which has a massive Jamaican community.

In late 2025, Smith and Robinson recorded a version of Pitta Patta, Smith’s classic song from the early 1970s. Produced by Robinson. It went number one on the South Florida Reggae Chart.

Recording a tribute song to Smith seemed the natural thing to do for Joanna Marie.

“I’ve known Ernie since 1985, and over the years we built a deep and meaningful relationship. We never recorded songs together personally, but through our label we released two songs with him, and we also have an album with him that will be released soon. That is something very special to me,” she said.

Ernie Smith was one of the leading artistes in Jamaica during the contentious 1970s. His laid-back songs, which also included Duppy Gunman and Life is Just For Living, were a contrast to the protest music from Rastafarian acts like Bob Marley and Burning Spear.

His thanksgiving service is scheduled for May 16 at Metropolitan Baptist Church in Davie, South Florida.

— Howard Campbell