Johnny Paycheck (born Donald Eugene Lytle; May 31, 1938 – February 19, 2003) was an American country music singer and songwriter. He is a notable figure in the outlaw movement in country music.
Rising from humble beginnings in Greenfield, Ohio, Paycheck began performing in his teens and gained early recognition as a session musician and harmony vocalist for stars such as Ray Price, George Jones, and Faron Young. Adopting the stage name Johnny Paycheck in the mid-1960s, he scored several hits throughout the next decades, most notably "She's All I Got" in 1971.
Paycheck reached the peak of his fame with the 1977 blue-collar anthem "Take This Job and Shove It," written by David Allan Coe, which became a cultural phenomenon and helped solidify Paycheck's status as a defining figure of outlaw country alongside Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, and Merle Haggard. His career, however, was marked as much by turmoil as triumph, as he struggled with substance abuse, alcohol, spent time in prison, and was involved in multiple legal controversies, including a conviction for assault and a high-profile sexual misconduct case.
Despite these setbacks, Paycheck's legacy endures through his raw and uncompromising music, which continues to resonate with fans of traditional and outlaw country. A member of the Grand Ole Opry and the subject of tribute albums and documentaries, Paycheck remained active into the early 2000s before health complications, including emphysema and asthma, led to his death in 2003. His life and work have been recognized as emblematic of both the rebellion and the heartbreak that defined a pivotal era in American country music.
Early life
Paycheck was born Donald Eugene Lytle on May 31, 1938 to Chester Eugene Lytle (1915–1988) and Chloie Mae Woodland (1919–2000) in his parents' home in Higginsville, a working class neighborhood of Greenfield, Ohio. He began playing guitar at age six after receiving one from his mother. He often used the stage name "Ohio Kid" when he played in bars and clubs.
Career
thumb|Paycheck in 1971
Following Paycheck's discharge, he moved to Nashville and performed under the names Donny Young and Donald Young while working as a tenor harmony singer for artists like Porter Wagoner, Ray Price, Faron Young, and especially George Jones, with whom he developed a long-lasting rapport. In 1958, he released his debut single, "It's Been a Long, Long Time for Me," under Decca Records. In 1959, he made his debut on the Grand Ole Opry, with his single "Old Man and the River" alongside performing with artists like George Morgan, Bill Anderson, Eddie Noack, Roger Miller, and Roy Wiggins. One year later, in 1960, he reached top-35 status in Cashbox magazine's country charts, with the tune "Miracle of Love." An ad for the Grand Ole Opry in 1964 referred to Paycheck, still referred to as Donny Young, as "the nations newest singing sensation."
Under the mentorship of producer Buddy Killen, Paycheck recorded for Decca Records and Mercury Records before joining George Jones' band, where he played bass, steel guitar, and sang high harmony on at least 15 of Jones' albums, including hits like "The Race Is On" and "Love Bug." Working with producer Aubrey Mayhew, Paycheck signed to Little Darlin' Records. His early records being stylistic experiments and were among the most ambitious and emotionally raw entries during the period of country music. That same year, he scored a Grammy-nominated hit with "A-11," written by Hank Cochran.|author=Johnny Paycheck
Many of Paycheck's songs during this period acted as exaggerated reflections of his outlaw lifestyle, as seen in titles like "Me and the I.R.S." and "D.O.A. (Drunk on Arrival)." He was sued for slander by a flight attendant after a mid-air altercation, saddled with a paternity suit, tax issues, and eventually dropped by Epic Records in 1982 after facing sexual assault charges that were later reduced.
In 1998, Paycheck was airlifted to a hospital in Albuquerque, New Mexico after a severe asthma attack. Around that time, he had signed with Lucky Dog Records, a Sony Music Nashville imprint, with Blake Chancey scheduled to produce a comeback album, but it was ultimately shelved due to Paycheck's deteriorating health. In the late 1990s, after decades ignored, Little Darlin' recordings received recognition by country music historians for their distinctive and sharp-edged sound, considered unique in their time—Paycheck's in particular.
Personal life
thumb|From left to right: [[Johnny Lee (singer)|Johnny Lee, Paycheck, and Mickey Gilley at Gilley's Nightclub in 1978]]
Paycheck was married for over 30 years to his wife Sharon Rae and they had one son, Jonathan. Paycheck was found guilty and sentenced to 18 years at Portsmouth Naval Prison, but was released from prison in 1959 after having his sentence reduced on appeal. Members of Paycheck's band told police that the singer had numerous problems with allegations because of his celebrity status. He was released on bond. In 1982, he pled no contest to continue his touring and not go to trial. The prosecution's witnesses were reluctant to testify. and received a $1,000 fine.