Because John PayCheck is the son of the renowned Johnny Paycheck, you may think his path to country music was automatic, but nothing could be further from the truth. Because he grew up around "the business," initially, he was keen to avoid it as a career path.
"I knew so much about it; that's pretty much why I didn't go into it,” Paycheck confirmed.
Nevertheless, his dad bought him a guitar and taught him to play. He mainly wrote music, but occasionally he would sing with his dad.
PayCheck recalled, "I was in the marching band and was in a drum and bugle corps. I love it. I loved music. However, when young John worked as a roadie for his dad, he saw a lot about the business that he didn't like. Initially, he thought his father was treated poorly, but later, he wasn't so sure.
Paycheck stated, "I still don't feel like he's gotten the recognition he deserved."
When his dad passed, he said, "I'm going to anything other than music."
He studied computer engineering, firefighting, and then joined the military after 911. Eventually, he got a job working for the government in DC. But all the while, PayCheck, as a combat veteran and lavender farmer, was missing music, so he kept writing songs. Occasionally, he would sit in with local bands.
Shooter Jennings encouraged him to get back to it. He said, "Yeah, man, do something."
That was in 2021, and he put out an album, We All Have a Story, which garnered singles such as "Lone Star" and "Where Did Our Country Go."
Now he has released his second album, More Days Behind, which is the most Texas-sounding record I have heard, even though PayCheck is from Virginia. The traditional-sounding record is partly because one of his all-time favorite artists is George Strait.
"This new album is an anthology of the very definition of country music," PayCheck said. "We've got ballads, Texas swing, stories and heartbreak, some light-hearted fun, and deep-rooted sorrow. It's more western than it is country."
If you're reading and not listening, please know PayCheck is not Outlaw Country. However, as an artist who has gone through a divorce and was an Army aviator, he has a lot of baggage, providing plenty of impressions for songwriting.
The songs are either written with pal and band member Scott Gabbey or are solo written by PayCheck.
The title track, "More Days Behind," is a happy, banjo-pickin' tune made for dancing on a sawdust floor. "It's where I am in life. Just do your best and be happy," he shared.
The song "Biscuits and Gravy" is a tongue-in-cheek song about something he is fond of. A lot of people will relate to the fun song whether or not they admit it.
"Desert Rose" is a ballad that sounds like it belongs in a Western film. It's about a train robbery based on a real historical character. You can see the movie play out in your head with the fiddle sawing. "It's a history lesson," PayCheck confirmed.
Another playful song, "Blondes and Bulls," unabashedly states, "I've ridden a few in my day, and they'll make you pay. It's a song for the single cowboy who speaks from experience.
The song "Make Things Clear" is a drinking song told from the beer bottle's perspective. It is the most country-sounding song on the record, with the pedal steel guitar and fiddle.
PayCheck wrote "Drinkin’ and Cryin’” with Eddie Rabbit in mind. With the lyrics, I woke up this morning and you were gone/ Still wondering what all went wrong/ but I can’t think about that/ I’ve got to pour another shot of Jack/ And I’m drinkin’ and cryin’ over you, it is country heartbreak at its finest.
PayCheck pays tribute to his hero, George Strait, with the cover of his “When Did You Stop Loving Me.” George Jones sang it first, and it is a nostalgic song that he felt a connection to.
Nothing represents country music better than a good murder ballad, and “Say Goodbye” is a prime example. Instead of spiraling into a fit of rage, which ends in murder, the singer reflects, “Maybe I should learn to say goodbye.”
“Foolish Ways” is an introspective song that bit more personal than some of the other songs, as PayCheck himself has dealt with depression. “Maybe it will help a person understand what is going on with someone they know,” he shared.
The final song on the record, “White Lights,” is about a truck driver who is headed toward Tennessee. He’s going through a tough breakup, and the road keeps reminding him of her. It’s a classic tale regarding the passage of time and reflective thoughts of what could have been.
Since embracing the music business, PayCheck has shared the stage with Chris Janson, Confederate Railroad, Dallas Moore, and others. He was invited to perform at the Grand Ole Opry in May of 2024 to honor his father on Opry Country Classics.
But if you are fortunate enough to see PayCheck in person, don’t expect to hear his dad’s music like “Take This Job and Shove It.”
“I’m not a tribute band. I don’t do that,” he emphasized.
And while he may share a few of his Pop’s quirks, for the most part, he is his own person doing his own thing. With a unique vocal style and a deep-rooted appreciation for classic country, he continues the family legacy while embracing the genre’s evolution. PayCheck is a testament to the enduring spirit of country music and his profound bond with his father. PayCheck is building his own career despite the shadow of his father’s, and he’s excited to be a part of his own journey to see what the future holds.
Learn more about John PayCheck on his website, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, and all streaming services.
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Bethany Bowman is a freelance entertainment writer. You can follow her blog, Facebook, Instagram, and X.
More Days Behind Me Tracklisting & Songwriters:
- “More Days Behind” (John PayCheck, Scott Gabbey)
- “Biscuits and Gravy” (John PayCheck, Scott Gabbey)
- “Desert Rose” (John PayCheck)
- “Blondes and Bulls” (John PayCheck, Scott Gabbey)
- “Make Things Clear” (John PayCheck, Scott Gabbey)
- “Drinkin’ and Cryin’" (John PayCheck, Scott Gabbey)
- “When Did You Stop Loving Me” (Donny Kees, Monty Holmes)
- “Say Goodbye”(John PayCheck, Scott Gabbey)
- “Foolish Ways” (John PayCheck)
- “White Lights” (John PayCheck
