Johnny Paycheck ~ For a Minute There

A one-time hell-raising renegade from Greenfield, Ohio, Johnny Paycheck took to playing music and raising hell at young age. Born Donald Eugene Lytle in Greenfield on May 31, 1937, Johnny was playing guitar at the age of six and singing professionally at the age of fifteen.

After dropping out of high school, Johnny began having minor run-ins with the law. However, none were serious enough to keep him from pursuing a career in music. While playing local gigs, he continued developing his skills as a songwriter and as a backup singer. Although he'd been writing since the mid-50s, it wasn't until two of his singles broke the charts in 1966 that he gained recognition as a songwriter. That year Ray Price charted with Touch My Heart and Tammy Wynette scored with Apartment #9.

A prelude to his solo career began as a bass player for Ray Price. From there Johnny took a job with George Jones. He stayed with George for six years, playing bass and later steel guitar. Paycheck also worked with Faron Young and Porter Wagoner.

Meanwhile, Johnny began working on a solo career by recording his own singles. Paycheck first appeared on the charts in 1965 with A-11. By 1966, Johnny had co-founded Little Darlin Records and for three years, he cut several sides for the label. Only one single The Lovin' Machine broke the top-10.

Paychecks big break came when he signed a contract with Epic Records in 1971. After his first recording session with Epic, he began turning out singles at a steady pace. In 1977, Johnny was on top of the charts with Take This Job and Shove It. The blockbuster single turned out to be his only No. 1 song. Johnny's final top-10 was called Mabellene, which charted in 1978. Johnny drifted in and out of the top-40 brefore being dropped from the Epic roster in 1984. In 1986, he joined Mercury Records, but after two years on the label, the Old Violin was his only top-40 song.

In 1986 Johnny was sentenced to 9 and 1/2 years for shooting a barroom patron in Hillsboro, Ohio. While incarcerated Paycheck turned to religion and recorded an all gospel album. Although Johnny has had a rollercoaster career, he's remained popular in among traditional country music fans.

Paychecks original material is readily available. If you prefer the early work of Johnny Paycheck, then you may consider Real Mr. Heartache, which includes The Lovin Machine, Motel Time Again and Jukebox Charlie. 16 Biggest Hits contains all the big hits, including Someone to Give My Love to, Mr. Lovemaker, Take This Job and Shove it and Friend, Lover, Wife.

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Somewhere between the greed for money and sound judgment, the legends of country music were tossed aside for the outlandish sound they call country music today.
RJB Nashville, Tennessee

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Portions of this work contain the intellectual property of third party authors and contributors. As such, third party authors and contributors retain all copyrights in the individual works and reserve all rights not specifically granted herein

Category:

Music

[eyoung2289]

my dad wrote this song !

[flashbell]

@eyoung2289 , what ishis name?

[flem1973]

Jeff Lyle passed away April 1, 2009.

[flashbell]

Who is Jeff Lyle?

[EASTWOODO4]

poor johnny died broke goerge had to bury him

[flashbell]

Where did you get that? Paycheck was not the drunk that some people thought he was. Johnny was a honorable man! If you live in a glass house, don't throw rocks.

[Ralph73]

This is my absolute favorite song by Johnny Paycheck. Many years ago in Destin, Florida I used to meet Johnny occasionally in the Donut Hole coffee shop. He was a quite a character and had a unique style of singing. I miss those days, and I miss Johnny.

[barrygioportmorien1]

Great, My favourite Johnny Paycheck song.

[9bayless]

GEORGE DID HELP AND THAT'S A CREDIT TO GEORGE...HE DID IT BECAUSE JOHNNY WAS A GOOD MAN AND A GREAT SINGER..AND A LOT OF FUN TO BE AROUND

[loneranger3169]

@flashbell YEP

[demontebob]

Your dad was as good as his brother donnie

[MrNotNiceGuy]

Ronnie Milsap just released his version of this on his new CD Country Again, Paycheck would be proud IMO

[mrfiddleman]

This was written by Jerry Foster and Bill Rice. You can check it in the BMI catalog. I saw Paycheck the last time at the Longhorn in Nashville right after he got out of prison. He had gained a lot of weight in prison and I said, "Damn, Johnny, looks like that prison food agreed with you pretty good." He laughed and said, "You can hardass me all you want about being in prison but don't you say nothing more about me being fat." We all had a big laugh and it got us all over the "prison" deal.

[DixielandBaker]

i never got to here much of paycheck, in new jersey you dont get this kind of music on the radio any more. the last time i heard the real country music was back in the 1950s. beleve it or not jersey was a hot spot back then for the greats like webb pierce, faron young. this is a great song and johnny is a true to heart singer he does a fine job with it. thank GOD for XMradio,also YouTube. thanks for posting

[dianeberrymusic]

Jerry Foster wrote this song....and many more for Johnny Paycheck. Great songs..great singer.

[onstageagain]

@EASTWOODO4 This is true. But a man with such talent. It's a damned long, boggy, dirty, dangerous way, this life.