Two names. Two legacies. One track that landed 20,000 streams in its first week without a major label or corporate radio behind it. John PayCheck and Struggle Jennings have released “Sons Of The Spark,” and the official studio music video premieres May 29 on PayCheck’s YouTube channel. Listen here.
The collaboration pairs the son of outlaw country icon Johnny PayCheck with the grandson of Waylon Jennings and Jessi Colter, 2 independent artists carrying recognizable bloodlines while building careers entirely on their own terms. The track blends traditional country roots with Southern rap and Americana crossover energy, and it sounds exactly like the sum of those parts.
PayCheck puts it directly: “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.” The song, written by both artists and recorded at Gnome Studios with producer Bill McDermott (George Strait, Tim McGraw, Brad Paisley), centers on legacy, expectation, and carving a path beyond the shadow of legendary names.
Jennings brings serious independent credibility to the pairing. He holds an RIAA Gold certification for his collaboration with Jelly Roll on “Fall In The Fall,” and scored a Billboard number one and Gold certification for “God We Need You Now.” Since his release from prison in 2016, he’s built a devoted following on music rooted in raw honesty, survival, and redemption.
PayCheck’s own momentum is real and growing. His second album earned Grammy consideration in 2025, landing among a limited field of 45 releases in its category. Forbes profiled him, American Songwriter premiered his “Honky-Tonk Blackout” video, and Cowboys & Indians spotlighted “Foolish Ways.” His debut single “Lone Stars” charted on MusicRow, and he’s a CMA of Texas Jim & Mona Boles Legacy Award recipient.
“Sons Of The Spark” is out now via HorseBite Entertainment. The Better Plan Tour runs through November across more than 30 dates.
2026 Better Plan Tour Dates:
Thu May 29 – Bisbee, AZ – Bisbee Grand Hotel
Thu Jun 4 – Pomona, CA – The Cathedral
Fri Jun 5 – Salt Lake City, UT – Aces High Saloon
Sat Jun 6 – Horseshoe Bend, ID – Locking Horns Riverside Restaurant
Sun Jun 7 – Lewiston, ID – Boomers Garden
Wed Jun 11 – Kansas City, MO – Knuckleheads
Thu Jun 19 – Houston, TX – The Continental Club
Sat Jun 20 – Burleson, TX – Hoots Hall
Wed Jun 24 – Millersburg, OH – Amish County Theater
Sat Jun 27 – New Castle, DE – Shriners Hospital Benefit
Sun Jun 28 – Shepherdstown, WV – Opera House LIVE
Fri Jul 3 – Levelland, TX – The Wallace Theatre
Sat Jul 11 – Cordele, GA – Lake Blackshear Resort & Golf Club
Thu Jul 16 – Cleveland, TX – Texan Theater
Fri Jul 17 – Marble Falls, TX – Brass Hall
Sat Jul 18 – Whitehorse, TX – Blackhawk Creek Grill
Fri Aug 8 – Cortland, NY – Cortland Country Music Park Campground
Fri Aug 15 – Spearfish, SD – Crow Peak Brewing Company
Thu Aug 20 – Lawrence, KS – Bottleneck
Fri Aug 21 – Yorkville, NY – The Law Office Pub
Sun Aug 23 – Sauk Rapids, MN – Rollie’s
Thu Aug 28 – Denham Springs, LA – Southern Rhythm Venue & Entertainment
Sun Aug 31 – Lexington, KY – WoodSongs at Scottish Rite Hall
Sat Sep 17 – Sioux Falls, SD – Bigs Bar
Thu Sep 18 – Davenport, IA – Rhythm City Casino Resort
Fri Sep 19 – Riverside, IA – Riverside Casino & Golf Resort
Wed Sep 24 – Coltons Point, MD – Potomac Gardens
Fri Sep 26 – Hagerstown, MD – Hub City Vinyl
Sat Sep 27 – Beacon, NY – Howland Cultural Center
Sat Oct 17 – Beaumont, TX – Soggy Bottom Saloon
Fri Nov 7 – Bandera, TX – 11th St. Cowboy Bar