Country Singer-Songwriter John PayCheck Exudes 90’s Style Country Vibes On Debut Music Video For His Barn Burning Rocker “Honky-tonk Blackout”

[WATCH: “Honky-tonk Blackout” at American Songwriter]

Music video exclusively premiered by American Songwriter [click to watch], plus additional air dates TBA from The Heartland Network

From PayCheck’s 2021 debut album, We All Have A Story

2025 Going Nowhere Fast Tour resumes in April

Media assets: jwamedia.com/john-paycheck

“While he is not riding his father’s coattails, he proves that the apple didn’t fall far from the tree.”
– Clayton Edwards, American Songwriter

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (March 05, 2025) — Country singer-songwriter and independent recording artist John PayCheck revisits his debut album We All Have A Story for his first ever music video release, the barn-burning country rocker, “Honky-tonk Blackout” [stream/buy]. Exclusively premiered today by American Songwriter [click to watch], the video will officially roll out on PayCheck’s YouTube channel on Friday, March 07 at 12pm ET, with additional air dates to be announced on The Heartland Network soon.

Released in 2021, “Honky-tonk Blackout” was co-written with Scott Gabbey, produced by Bill McDermott (George Strait, Tim McGraw, Brad Paisley), and is a prime example of the 90’s style of country sound which PayCheck cites as the backbone of his own musical influence as both a songwriter and recording artist. 

“Writing this song started in rough form by Scott Gabbey,” PayCheck said. “He sent me the first verse and some of the chorus and then I ran with it from there. I touched on a Hank Williams feel with the rhythm of the lyrics and the way I sing it. Hank just really stuck in my mind on this one.”

The video was directed by Victor Bonacoure and shot on location at the original Cancun Cantina in Hanover, Maryland. It comes to boot with everything visually you’d expect for a song entitled “Honky-Tonk Blackout;” girls line dancing and mechanical bull riding in Daisy Dukes, bartenders and band members getting into fights and plenty other saloon shenanigans.  

“Making the video was a ton of fun,” PayCheck said. “The Cancun Cantina was really accommodating and we all had such a great time filming this video. They brought in the dancers, helped us get some of the bartenders to act, so they really helped us out to make this happen. Thanks, Craig!”

Going Nowhere Fast Tour Resumes in April
PayCheck kicked off his Going Nowhere Fast pop-up show tour in September 2024, and ventured through more than 20 states, while documenting his progress and sharing updates on new performance locations via his BandsInTown, FaceBook, Tik Tok and Instagram. He’s hitting the road again beginning on April 11 in Columbus, Ohio performing at The Commons as part of country rock band Night Owl’s album release concert. PayCheck and his cavalry band also headed back out West, performing in the Mount Taylor Music Festival in New Mexico in May, with additional dates confirmed for Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas and more to be announced soon. 

APR 11 – The Commons / Columbus, IN
MAY 03 – Mount Taylor Music Festival 2025 / Grants, NM
JUL 19 – Brisket Love Barbecue & Icehouse / Lindale, TX
AUG 22 – Cancun Cantina / Hanover, MD
SEP 05 – Legends Pub House & Venue / Chickasha, OK
SEP 13 – Lovetsville Benefit / Lovettsville, VA
OCT 09 – Crooked Arrow Ranch / Conway, AR
OCT 10 – Old Time Singer Song Writer Venue / Valley View, TX
OCT 11 – Soggy Bottom Saloon / Beaumont, TX
OCT 17 – Sundown / Llano, TX
OCT 20 – Shooters Lounge / Hickory, NC
DEC 12 – Cancun Cantina / Hanover, MD
**For tour updates follow on BandsInTown or johnpaycheck.com/shows 

About John PayCheck:
John PayCheck, son of country music legend Johnny PayCheck, embodies the traditions of country music while forging his own path in the industry. John’s musical journey began humbly as a roadie, where he learned about the business while traveling with his father and surrounded by legends. Music was ingrained into his everyday life as a result. 

However, two major events diverted him from music temporarily; the tragedy of 9/11 spurred him to serve his country as an Army aviator, followed by his father’s passing in 2003, which led him to explore passions in firefighting and technology. John still serves as a Reserve Army Officer in Europe, but despite his temporary hiatus, music remained a constant thread in his life, drawing him back 20 years later.

As a combat veteran, farmer, and devoted family man, John’s return to music has been fueled by industry support and the encouragement of fellow country music legacy artists. His first single “Lone Stars” from his debut album, We All Have a Story, charted on Music Row, a significant milestone in his career. He has written songs with Erin Enderlin and Scott Gabbey, and is a CMA member and BMI songwriter.  John has shared the stage with Chris Janson, Confederate Railroad, Dallas Moore and others and was invited to perform at the Grand Ole Opry in May of 2024 to honor his father on Opry Country Classics.

With a unique vocal style and deep-rooted appreciation for classic country, he continues the PayCheck family legacy while embracing the genre’s evolution. John stands as a testament to the enduring spirit of country music and the profound bond he still has with his father. John 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.

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