Johnny Paycheck
Biography
The first time that many people ever heard of Johnny Paycheck was in 1977, when his "Take This Job and Shove It" inspired one-man wildcat strikes all over America. The next time was in 1985, when he was arrested for shooting a man at a bar in Hillsboro, OH. That Paycheck is remembered for a fairly amusical novelty song and a violent crime (for which he spent two years in prison) is a shame, for it just so happens that he is one of the mightiest honky tonkers of his time. Born and raised in Greenfield, OH, Paycheck was performing in talent contests by the age of nine and riding the rails as a drifter by the time he turned 15. After a Navy stint landed him in the brig for two years, he arrived in Nashville, where he performed in the bands of Porter Wagoner, Faron Young, Ray Price, and George Jones. He recorded several singles under the name Donny Young, then, in 1965, cut his first sides as Johnny Paycheck for the Hilltop label. A year later, he and gadfly producer Aubrey Mayhew started the Little Darlin' label, for which Paycheck recorded his greatest work. Marked by Lloyd Green's knockout steel guitar and Paycheck's broad, resonant vocals (not to mention his rounder's sense of humor) his Little Darlin' records of the 1960s have since become cult favorites. After splitting with Mayhew (and after running his life into the gutter) Paycheck made a celebrated comeback on Epic in the 1970s. "Take This Job and Shove It" was the most famous result, though ballads like "She's All I Got" and "Someone to Give My Love To" are far more indicative of his stylistic range.. Born Donald Lytle, Paycheck began playing guitar when he was six, and within three years, he was performing talent contests across the state. When he was 15, he ran away from home, hitchhiking, and hoboing his away across the country, singing in honky tonks and clubs along the way. By his late teens, he had joined the Navy, but while he was serving, he assaulted a superior officer and was convicted of court martial. As a result, he spent two years in the brig. Upon his release, he moved to Nashville, where made the acquaintance of Buddy Killen at Decca Records, who offered him a contract. At Decca, Paycheck released two rockabilly singles on the label under the name Donny Young; neither were hits. Shortly afterward, he moved to Mercury, where he released two country singles, which were also failures. By that time, he had begun supporting other musicians, playing bass and occasionally steel guitar with Porter Wagoner, Faron Young, and Ray Price. He frequently moved between employers because of his short-fused temper. Paycheck finally found his match in George Jones. He stayed with Jones for four years, fronting the Jones Boys between 1962 and 1966, and singing backup on George's hits "I'm a People," "The Race Is On," and "Love Bug."
Top Albums |
1. Masters of t..
| 2. The Soul &am..
| 3. Johnny Paych..
| 4. All-Time Gre..
| 5. All Time Gre..
|
6. Johnny Paych..
| 7. Take This Jo..
| 8. One Piece At..
| 9. Double Troub..
| 10. The Essentia..
|
11. Survivor
| 12. Best Of John..
| 13. Johnny Paych..
| 14. Mr. Lovemake..
| 15. Super Hits
|
16. Studio 102 E..
| 17. Take This Jo..
| 18. Armed and Cr..
| 19. 20 of His Be..
| 20. Live at the ..
|
|
Top Songs |
| Name | Album | Time | Price | |
1. | Old Violin | Soul & the Edge - The B.. | 3:43 | $0.99 | |
2. | Take This Job and Shove It (Re-Recor.. | All-Time Greatest Hits: Joh.. | 2:39 | $0.99 | |
3. | I'm the Only Hell (Mama Ever Rai.. | Johnny Paycheck: 16 Biggest.. | 3:06 | $0.99 | |
4. | I'm the Only Hell (My Mama Ever .. | Soul & the Edge - The B.. | 3:09 | $0.99 | |
5. | Take This Job and Shove It | Johnny Paycheck: Biggest Hi.. | 2:35 | $0.99 | |
6. | Colorado Cool-Aid | Johnny Paycheck: 16 Biggest.. | 3:35 | $0.99 | |
7. | She's All I Got | Johnny Paycheck: 16 Biggest.. | 2:55 | $0.99 | |
8. | Take This Job and Shove It | 21 Country Hits | 2:36 | $0.99 | |
9. | (It Won’t Be Long) And I’ll Be H.. | Original Billboard Hits: Jo.. | 2:30 | $0.99 | |
10. | Take This Job and Shove It | Take This Job and Shove It | 2:37 | $0.99 | |
11. | Outlaw's Prayer | Soul & the Edge - The B.. | 5:03 | $0.99 | |
12. | Slide Off of Your Satin | Johnny Paycheck: 16 Biggest.. | 2:54 | $0.99 | |
13. | Some Kind of Rose | Masters of the Last Century.. | 1:49 | $0.99 | |
14. | Mr. Lovemaker | Masters of the Last Century.. | 2:03 | $0.99 | |
15. | Don't Take Her She's All I G.. | Masters of the Last Century.. | 2:54 | $0.99 | |
16. | Heaven's Almost As Big As Texas | Masters of the Last Century.. | 2:48 | $0.99 | |
17. | Take This Job and Shove It (Re-Recor.. | Boys of Country | 2:42 | $0.99 | |
18. | Family Reunion | Come Home to My Heart | 3:27 | $0.99 | |
19. | Green Grass of Home | Please Release Me | 3:10 | $0.99 | |
20. | Take This Job and Shove It (Live) | Willie and Family Live | 3:03 | $0.99 | |
21. | Take This Job and Shove It (Re-Recor.. | Platinum Trax All Time Coun.. | 2:42 | $0.99 | |
22. | Take This Job and Shove It (Live) | Classic Albums Collection | 3:03 | $0.99 | |
23. | Outlaw's Prayer | Essential | 5:03 | $0.99 | |
24. | In Memory of a Memory | Essential | 3:42 | $1.29 | |
25. | D.O.A. (Drunk on Arrival) | Essential | 2:39 | $1.29 | |