JOHN PAYCHECK / STRUGGLE JENNINGS

Country Singer-Songwriters John PayCheck & Struggle Jennings Join Forces To Reignite The Outlaw Spirit On New Single Collaboration “Sons Of The Spark,” Arriving May 15

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (May 13, 2026) — Country singer-songwriters and recording artists John PayCheck and Struggle Jennings join forces on “Sons Of The Spark,” [Pre-Save/Pre-Add] a defiant, tradition-steeped anthem set for release on May 15 by HorseBite Entertainment. Carrying the weight of two of country music’s most recognizable legacies, they deliver a song rooted in outlaw attitude, channeling the grit, rebellion and authenticity that defined the genre’s most enduring voices, staking a bold claim for its future. Driven by steel guitar textures, a raw vocal delivery and an unflinching lyrical stance, “Sons Of The Spark” captures the spirit of two artists who refuse to conform.
“This song was something that happened by chance between Struggle and me,” PayCheck said. “We met at a party, talked about doing something together, and were in touch pretty quickly. Man, it sure was a good time! We have a lot more in common than some might think: growing up wasn’t easy for us, we both had our own demons to deal with, and we learned some hard family lessons.”
Written by John PayCheck, Scott Gabbey and Struggle Jennings, and recorded at Gnome Studios with producer Bill McDermott (George Strait, Tim McGraw, Brad Paisley), the song delivers a powerful narrative about inheritance, expectation and carving out a path beyond the shadows of their legendary names. The song’s hard-edged honesty reflects a deep respect for country music’s roots while pushing forward with a modern outlaw perspective.
Lines like “We don’t back up, we don’t bow down / When they close that gate, we bust it right down” reinforce the song’s central theme: resilience in the face of industry and societal pressure.
PayCheck and Jennings infuse “Sons Of The Spark” with authenticity that resonates beyond lineage. The song bridges past and present, honoring the outlaw country tradition while asserting its continued relevance in today’s musical landscape.
“The world outside doesn’t always see what we see, and they want to believe we fit a mold that isn’t necessarily accurate,” PayCheck continued. “The industry especially wants us to act a certain way, and be a certain way, especially when it comes to legacy. No other family business treats the sons and daughters the same way. As we cross into entertainment, Struggle and I face similar obstacles that we won’t let hold us back. This song is about that!”
2026 Better Plan Tour DatesMAR 13 – The Southgate House Revival / Newport, Ky. [info/tickets]APR 02 – Shooters Tavern / Hickory, N.C. APR 10 – Off The Rails / Worcester, Mass. [info/tickets]APR 17 – Reo Bar & Grill / Longview, Texas [info/tickets] APR 18 – Brisket Love BBQ & Icehouse / Lindale, Texas [info/tickets]
MAY 06 – The Law Office Pub / Yorkville, Ill. [info/tickets]
MAY 12 – The Doublewide / Elko New Market, Minn. [info/tickets]MAY 28 – The Dirty Drummer / Phoenix, Ariz. [info/tickets]
MAY 29 – Bisbee Grand Hotel / Bisbee, Ariz. [info/tickets]MAY 31 – Club Underground / Reno, Nev. [info/tickets]JUN 03 – Almost Famous Wine / Livermore, Calif. [info/tickets]JUN 04 – The Cathedral / Pomona, Calif. [info/tickets] JUN 05 – Aces High Saloon / Salt Lake City, Ut. [info/tickets]
JUN 06 – Locking Horns Riverside Restaurant / Horseshoe Bend, Id. [info/tickets]JUN 07 – Boomers Garden / Lewiston, Id. JUN 11 – Knuckleheads / Kansas City, Mo. [info/tickets]JUN 13 – Hot Tails Crawfish / Texarkana, Ark. [info/tickets]JUN 19 – The Continental Club / Houston, Texas [info/tickets]
JUN 20 – Hoots Hall / Burleson, Texas [info/tickets]
JUN 24 – Amish County Theater / Millersburg, Ohio [info/tickets]JUN 27 – Shriners Hospital Benefit / New Castle, Del.
JUN 28 – Opera House LIVE / Shepherdstown, W.V. [info/tickets]JUL 03 – The Wallace Theatre / Levelland, Texas [info/tickets]
JUL 11 – Lake Blackshear Resort & Golf Club / Cordele, Ga. [info/tickets] JUL 16 – Texan Theater / Cleveland, Texas JUL 17 – Brass Hall / Marble Falls, Texas [info/tickets]
JUL 18 – Blackhawk Creek Grill / Whitehorse, Texas [info/tickets]
AUG 08 – Cortland Country Music Park Campground / Cortland, N.Y. [info/tickets]
AUG 10 – Rally Camp / Sturgis, S.D. AUG 15 – Crow Peak Brewing Company / Spearfish, S.D. [info/tickets]AUG 20 – Bottleneck / Lawrence, Kan.
AUG 23 – Rollie’s / Sauk Rapids, Minn. [info/tickets]
AUG 28 – Southern Rhythm Venue & Entertainment / Denham Springs, La. [info/tickets]
AUG 31 – WoodSongs @ Scottish Rite Hall / Lexington, Ky. [tickets/info]
SEP 12 – The Farm Party / Brookeville, Ind. [info/tickets TBA]SEP 17 – Bigs Bar / Sioux Falls, S.D. [info/tickets TBA]
SEP 18 – Rhythm City Casino Resort / Davenport, Iowa [info/tickets]SEP 19 – Riverside Casino & Golf Resort / Riverside, Iowa [info/tickets]
SEP 24 – Potomac Gardens / Coltons Point, Md. [info/tickets]
SEP 25 – Schorr Family Firehouse Stage / Johnson City, N.Y. SEP 26 – Hub City Vinyl / Hagerstown, Md. [info/tickets]
SEP 27 – Howland Cultural Center / Beacon, N.Y. [info/tickets]OCT 03 – Rathskeller Down Back / Charlestown, R.I. OCT 17 – Soggy Bottom Saloon / Beaumont, Texas [info/tickets]
OCT 30 – Eda’s Hideaway / Weaverville, N.C. [info/tickets]NOV 07 – 11th St. Cowboy Bar / Bandera, Texas [info/tickets]
**For additional tour updates follow on BandsInTown or visit johnpaycheck.com/shows

About John PayCheck:

John PayCheck is a road-tested traditional country artist building a modern career through shows, songs, and consistency—without chasing trends or shortcuts. Born in Nashville, he got his start the old-school way: as a roadie, learning the business while traveling with his father, country legend and Grand Ole Opry member Johnny PayCheck—then stepping out to forge a path that’s uniquely his own.

John’s momentum is backed by national press: Forbes profiled him around “More Days Behind” and his own lane in country music, American Songwriter premiered his “Honky-Tonk Blackout” music video in an exclusive, and Cowboys & Indians spotlighted “Foolish Ways” with a C&I Music Video Premiere. His debut single “Lone Stars” landed on the MusicRow charts, and he’s a CMA of Texas Jim & Mona Boles Legacy Award recipient and recognized by the Academy of Western Artists in 2021 for best country album.

His second album earned GRAMMY consideration in 2025, landing in a limited field of 45 releases in its category under consideration for nomination. Co-writing with Erin Enderlin, Struggle Jennings, and longtime collaborator Scott Gabbey, PayCheck recorded 18 new tracks in Nashville with producer Bill McDermott, and in 2026 he’ll take the next step on the multi-state Better Plan Tour ahead of an anticipated third album due out in late 2026 with single releases all throughout the year.

About Struggle Jennings:

The grandson of Waylon Jennings and Jessi Colter has been nothing short of a true Outlaw from a long line of gangsters, outlaws, and rockstars, making his family lineage proud. An RIAA Certified Gold-selling artist for his collab with Jelly Roll on Fall In The Fall, and #1 Billboard charting/RIAA certified gold-selling for “God We Need You Now”. Struggle has revolutionized a new style of music, blending Country and rap influences and making ground-breaking country rap styles. Contrary to his family’s upbringing, Struggle and his single mom grew up in low-income housing, and being the black sheep of the family, he fought through the streets of West Nashville and into the studio where he would create the foundation for what has become his contribution to the Jennings family legacy. Struggle’s message of strength, determination, and courage in the face of adversity continues to connect and resonate with people around-the-world.

By sharing his story with honesty and passion he has developed a large and loyal fanbase who relate not only to his music but also to his journey. Since being released from prison in 2016, where he served a five-