Traditional Country Singer-Songwriter John PayCheck Shares The Words He Never Got To Say To His Late Father Johnny PayCheck On New Single “Daddy Are You Listening?”

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (November 05, 2026) — Country singer-songwriter and recording artist John PayCheck reflects on what he would say to his father, country music legend Johnny PayCheck, if he had one more chance to speak with him. That deeply personal question becomes a moving musical conversation on his latest single “Daddy Are You Listening?” [Pre-Save/Pre-Add], available everywhere digitally on Friday, November 06. The song offers an intimate glimpse into the relationship between a father and son, the passage of time, and the moments in life that death leaves unfinished. It’s the fifth teaser track from his forthcoming third studio album, Better Plan, arriving November 27 via HorseBite Entertainment. More than two decades after losing his father, PayCheck reflects on the years Johnny never witnessed, from his military career and personal accomplishments to building a family of his own. Through honest lyrics and a deeply personal perspective, “Daddy Are You Listening?” imagines a conversation that can never take place, but one that countless people who have lost a parent will recognize. “This one is tough, because I don’t release a lot of songs on dad,” PayCheck explains. “I was thinking about what I would want to say to Dad if he could hear me now in the present day. The things I would want him to know and how I would want him to meet his grandkids, my wife and see the things I have done in life. He didn’t get to see me as a man, only as a kid in my early 20’s.” Throughout the song, PayCheck wrestles with the absence of his father’s guidance while navigating the responsibilities of adulthood and fatherhood himself. The lyrics move between memories of his father’s voice, the lessons that continue to shape his decisions, and the uncertainty that comes with trying to live up to the example of someone no longer there to offer advice. Perhaps the song’s most poignant moment comes when PayCheck turns his attention to the family his father never had the opportunity to meet. Now a husband and father of three daughters, he imagines Johnny getting to know his grandchildren and recognizing pieces of himself in their personalities. “This song, though, is relatable to anyone who has lost a parent and wishes they could have been here a little longer,” PayCheck continues. “It has some tear jerking moments, and this is of course what I am certainly good at writing but the song flows because it is coming from my heart honestly. I can’t wait for people to give it a listen.” The new single follows a series of releases showcasing the musical and emotional range of Better Plan. Most recently, PayCheck celebrated his affection for the Lone Star State on the lighthearted “Texan One Day,” released October 9. The song’s good-natured celebration of Texas culture offered a spirited contrast to September’s “Battles You Never Knew,” a hard-hitting recording challenging the commercialization of military sacrifice by artists without firsthand combat experience. Released September 11, on the 25th anniversary of the terrorist attacks that influenced PayCheck’s decision to enter military service, “Battles You Never Knew” generated discussion about authenticity, patriotism and veterans’ representation in country music. The song received an in-depth feature from Saving Country Music, exploring PayCheck’s personal perspective on the song’s meaning. Earlier releases from the album include its August 14 title track, “Better Plan,” a fiddle-driven country rocker examining humility, resilience and personal growth, and “Sons Of The Spark,” PayCheck’s outlaw-country collaboration with Struggle Jennings, which earned placement on Holler’s New Country Songs playlist. Better Plan was recorded at Gnome Studios in Nashville under the direction of acclaimed producer Bill McDermott (George Strait, Tim McGraw, Brad Paisley). Rooted in country storytelling from his own life stories and those that come from his own creative intuition, the album reflects PayCheck’s commitment to honest songwriting, with a hard-earned perspective, and the kind of authenticity that has defined his steadily growing independent career. Better Plan Track List & Songwriters: “Better Plan” (John PayCheck)“Clover”  (John PayCheck, Scott Gabbey)“Sons Of The Spark” (John PayCheck, Struggle Jennings)“Point Them North” (John PayCheck)“Uber To The Opry” (John PayCheck, Scott Gabbey)“Battles You Never Knew” (John PayCheck)“Pieces” (John PayCheck)“Texan One Day” (John PayCheck)“Stop and Say Hello” (Scott Gabbey)“All Up To Time” (John PayCheck)“Daddy Are You Listening” (John PayCheck)“JD Foster” (John PayCheck)“Turn the Page” (John PayCheck)“Shine” (John PayCheck) 2026 Better Plan Tour DatesNOV 05 – 11th St. Cowboy Bar / Bandera, Texas [info/tickets] NOV 06 – Westwind Club / Houston, Texas [info/tickets] NOV 21 – Princess Theater (w/ Hannah Dasher) / Decatur, Ala. [info/tickets]DEC 11 – Potomac Gardens / Coltons Point, Md. [info/tickets] DEC 12 – The Country Western Music Festival / Aiken, S.C. [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 and based out of Texas, 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 his third album, Better Plan, due out on November 27, 2026 with single releases all throughout the year. # # #