John PayCheck and the Cavalry Band have expanded the 2026 Better Plan Tour, now spanning 43 cities across 26 states throughout the year. New dates have been added in California, Idaho, Arizona, Texas, Louisiana, and Iowa, with upcoming May stops in Ohio, New York, Nevada, Wisconsin, Michigan, Minnesota, South Dakota, and Arizona.
PayCheck carries a name that opens doors and invites comparisons, but he’s spent his career building something that stands entirely on its own. Born in Nashville, he learned the road the old-school way, starting as a roadie traveling with his father, Grand Ole Opry member and country legend Johnny PayCheck, before stepping out to forge his own path through clubs, honky-tonks, and everything in between.
His first two albums, 2021’s ‘We All Have A Story’ and 2024’s ‘More Days Behind’, have earned him national press from Forbes, American Songwriter, and Cowboys & Indians, a debut single that landed on the MusicRow charts, a CMA of Texas Jim and Mona Boles Legacy Award, and recognition from the Academy of Western Artists for best country album in 2021. ‘More Days Behind’ earned GRAMMY consideration in 2025, landing in a field of 45 releases under consideration for nomination. The road has backed every bit of it up.
A third album, recorded in Nashville with producer Bill McDermott across 18 new tracks, is due late 2026, with singles rolling out throughout the year. Co-writers on the project include Erin Enderlin, Struggle Jennings, and longtime collaborator Scott Gabbey. “When the lights go down, the amps kick on, and you see a crowd ready to have a good time, every mile is worth it,” PayCheck says. “That connection with the fans is what keeps us rolling.”
The Better Plan Tour runs through November. Full dates below.
2026 Better Plan Tour Dates:
May 2 — The Patriot Public House — Hillsboro, Ohio
May 3 — Wadsworth’s Grill — Wadsworth, N.Y.
May 6 — The Law Office Pub — Yorkville, Ill.
May 7 — Shank Hall — Milwaukee, Wisc.
May 9 — The Venue Event Center — Cadillac, Mich.
May 12 — The Doublewide — Elko New Market, Minn.
May 28 — The Dirty Drummer — Phoenix, Ariz.
May 29 — Bisbee Grand Hotel — Bisbee, Ariz.
May 31 — Club Underground — Reno, Nev.
Jun 3 — Almost Famous Wine — Livermore, Calif.
Jun 4 — The Cathedral — Pomona, Calif.
Jun 5 — Aces High Saloon — Salt Lake City, Utah
Jun 6 — Locking Horns Riverside Restaurant — Horseshoe Bend, Id.
Jun 11 — Knuckleheads — Kansas City, Mo.
Jun 13 — Hot Tails Crawfish — Texarkana, Ark.
Jun 19 — The Continental Club — Houston, Texas
Jun 20 — Hoots Hall — Burleson, Texas
Jun 24 — Amish County Theater — Millersburg, Ohio
Jun 27 — Shriners Hospital Benefit — New Castle, Del.
Jun 28 — Opera House LIVE — Shepherdstown, W.V.
Jul 3 — The Wallace Theatre — Levelland, Texas
Jul 11 — Lake Blackshear Resort & Golf Club — Cordele, Ga.
Jul 17 — Brass Hall — Marble Falls, Texas
Aug 8 — Cortland Country Music Park Campground — Cortland, N.Y.
Aug 15 — Crow Peak Brewing Company — Spearfish, S.D.
Aug 20 — Bottleneck — Lawrence, Kan.
Aug 23 — Rollie’s — Sauk Rapids, Minn.
Aug 28 — Southern Rhythm Venue & Entertainment — Denham Springs, La.
Sep 12 — The Farm Party — Brookeville, Ind.
Sep 17 — Bigs Bar — Sioux Falls, S.D.
Sep 18 — Rhythm City Casino Resort — Davenport, Iowa
Sep 19 — Riverside Casino & Golf Resort — Riverside, Iowa
Sep 24 — Potomac Gardens — Coltons Point, Md.
Sep 26 — Hub City Vinyl — Hagerstown, Md.
Sep 27 — Howland Cultural Center — Beacon, N.Y.
Oct 3 — Rathskeller Down Back — Charlestown, R.I.
Oct 17 — Soggy Bottom Saloon — Beaumont, Texas
Nov 7 — 11th St. Cowboy Bar — Bandera, Texas