John Paycheck On His New Album, His Famous Father & His Own Path In Country Music

His dad was a country music legend with iconic hits like “Take This Job and Shove It,” “I’m the Only Hell (Mama Ever Raised),” “Old Violin,” and many more. But while John Paycheck shares his father’s love of music, he chose a different path in life. He became a firefighter, a computer engineer, and later joined the army where he still serves as a Major in the Reserves.

It’s only been in recent years that he decided to pursue a career in music and become a singer/songwriter in his own right.

His new album More Days Behind is a mix of songs he wrote or co-wrote (with the exception of one), all reflecting his own musical approach. The younger Paycheck says he draws on a mix of influences.

“My music is very 90s, very Western style. A lot of my influences come from the Texas genre and that Western style of music. Anywhere from Tex Ritter, Ray Price, and coming up through George Strait. I love George Strait. Then you mix in a little bit of Dad’s stuff, you can’t help it, and George Jones, Merle Haggard, and other artists from that era.”

His father taught him to play guitar when he was just a kid and music was a central thread throughout his early life. He played in garage bands, marching band at school, then later worked as a roadie and eventually as Road Manager for his father.

“But after dad got sick and came off the road, I went off into the world to do my own thing,” he says. “Honestly, I loved the creative part of the music but didn’t like the business side of it.”

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His father was part of country music’s “outlaw movement, well-known for his sometimes raucous and rowdy behavior.

“Unfortunately, a lot of his antics got in the way of his recognition,” the younger Paycheck explains. “Those things keep the caricature of my dad and gets more attention than the amazing artist and writer he was.”

He has followed a more regimented, disciplined route, with his own life.

“I wanted to go into the military for quite a while, and then after 911, couldn’t see not doing it.”

He went in enlisted at first, then became an officer, going to Military Intelligence school, and later becoming an Army Aviator.

“I became a platoon leader for Blackhawks for an aviation assault unit, then did security support.”

He served in Afghanistan where he flew King Airs as part of a surveillance mission, as well as handling other intelligence duties. Today, he lives in Northern Virginia and serves with a Reserve command based in Stuttgart, Germany. The flexible schedule allows him to pursue a career in music, something he began considering in earnest a few years back.

“There was an exhibit at the Country Music Hall of Fame for the Outlaw artists, and they had a big opening night, and I was invited. I went and sat around with Shooter Jennings (son of Waylon Jennings) and Tyler Coe (son of David Allan Coe who wrote “Take This Job and Shove It?”) and it was like a homecoming in a way. I mentioned it would be kind of nice to get back into music and Shooter was very supportive of that. Tyler was, too.”

Paycheck released his first album in 2021 and followed it with his latest called More Days Behind. The cover features an old photo showing what it used to look like in downtown Nashville, altered a bit to feature John Paycheck’s name.

The title track sets the tone for the entire record.

“More Days Behind” personifies where I am in life right now,” he says. “You kind of reach a point where there are literally more days behind you than in front of you. So, I need to focus and make sure I use those to the best of my ability.”

The other nine songs touch on a wide range of subjects and musical styles from “Biscuits and Gravy” to “Foolish Ways” to “White Lights,” and others.

“We’ve got ballads, Texas-swing, stories and heartbreak, some light-hearted fun, and some deep-rooted sorrow. We’re hitting all the notes on this one.”

The story songs include “Desert Rose” about a real-life female train robber in Montana, and “Say Goodbye,” which is actually a murder ballad.

Paycheck’s songwriting partner for most of the songs is his childhood friend, Scott Gabbey.

“I wanted to write a murder ballad, and Scott came up with the first verse. And I was like, okay, how is this story going to unfold? We wanted to keep the listener until the very end, and this is what we came up with. I love it because most people get to the end of the song and are like, he did what?”

So far, he’s received a lot of positive responsive to the album. He admits many who check out his music or see him perform for the first time look for similarities to his dad, but it soon becomes clear the two have diverse styles of music.

Earlier this year he paid tribute to his father at the Grand Ole Opry, but doesn’t plan to do that during his his own shows.

“We did this thing on the Grand Ole Opry to recognize Dad’s music which was great. I love Dad’s songs, but I’m not a tribute act. I’ve got my own style, I’m doing my own thing, and I’m writing my own music.”

He never wanted to ride his father’s coattails, but admits that involves walking a fine line.

“It’s hard because I know there are opportunities given to me that others trying to get into this business don’t have put in front of them. I probably wouldn’t be sitting here talking to you, otherwise. I know how lucky I am and I’m grateful for that. But at the same time, I don’t want to tour the road doing Johnny Paycheck songs.”

He’s thankful for the foundation his father gave him, appreciates the many lessons he’s learned along the way, and is hopeful that, as he adds his own musical gifts to the mix, he can chart his own course in music.

His father, who marched to his own, unique country beat, would likely be very proud of that.