George Jones & Johnny Paycheck Guitarist Gary Adams Dies
Editor’s Note: This article is written by Saving Country Music contributor Kevin Smith.
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Country Music guitarist great Gary H. Adams died on January 7, 2022. He was 78 years old and had lived a full life as a musician, husband and father. Best known as a founding member of The Jones Boys, (George Jones’s touring band), and also as a member of Johnny Paycheck’s touring band The Lovemakers, Adams and his two musician brothers, Don and Arnie, would carve out a big piece of Country Music history in the early 60s and 70s.
Born in 1943, in Ross County, Ohio, Gary Adams along with his brothers would grow up around Greenfield, Ohio, the birthplace of one Donald Eugene Lytle, aka Johnny Paycheck. The Adams Boys met young Lytle when he was 4, and a friendship was formed. As the boys grew into their teens, they played music, and took to playing in numerous venues, including a honky-tonk in Greenfield called The Club 28, owned by local music fan Paul Angel.
This connection to Paul Angel and his club would set both Paycheck and The Adams Brothers on a course for musical stardom. Angel also owned a recording studio in the basement of his home, and in fact Lytle/Paycheck would make his first recordings there with The Adams Boys sometimes present and backing him. Just this past year, Nashville label Lightning Rod Records released a vinyl-only edition of some of those songs including “Millers Cave” and “Family Bible” under the title Uncovered: The First Recordings-Johnny Paycheck.
In due time, Adams and his brothers became Johnny Paycheck’s touring band. At the time, Paycheck was an unknown songwriter, and was desperately trying to make a living any way he could. A chance meeting with a rising country star on the Starday label would prove to be a turning point for both The Adams Brothers and for Paycheck.
George Jones had some hit records at the time, but what he did not have was a touring band. Paycheck proposed to Jones the idea of hiring them, and Jones surprisingly agreed. And thus, The Adams Boys became The Jones Boys, with Gary on lead guitar, Arnie on Drums, Don playing bass and rhythm guitar, and Paycheck alternating between pedal steel and bass. This was a spectacular opportunity for all involved, and some have noted George Jones singing was continuing to evolve as a result of the close association and creativity of Paycheck.
Commenting on this period of time, Gary Adams admitted he was awed by the almost unbelievable talents of Jones and Paycheck, and considered that time to be the thrill of his life. Backing Jones led to numerous career highlights for Adams, including appearances on the Grand Ole Opry, as well as playing on The Jimmy Dean Show backing Jones, Jimmy Dean, and even a young Gene Pitney.
During the mid-60s, Gary and his brothers would also record with Jones, notably backing him on The Race is On album. This was most unusual at the time, as most albums were made with studio musicians, not touring musicians. But it was a testament to the talent of Gary Adams. The great Pappy Dailey also recorded a live album featuring George Jones, The Adams Boys, and a young Buddy Emmons. The album, entitled George Jones Live in Texas 1965 remains in print today, and is perhaps the best record of The Jones Boys in the early 60s live.
Gary and his brother Don would go on to back Tammy Wynette live, with and without George Jones. Paycheck would also enlist them from time to time as need arose. Later on, towards the end of his career, Marty Robbins would hire Gary Adams as a lead guitarist and collaborator. Gary recalled a conversation where a very impressed Robbins told him, “You should have worked for me years ago. I’d have kept you out of trouble,” Gary recalled laughing, and told Robbins, “Your probably right, but I had a lot of fun with Paycheck and Jones.”
Adams settled down in his native Greenfield, Ohio, and started a family with wife Barbara, who passed away in 2008. He had three sons, Gary Jr., Buddy, and Tony. Later in life, Adams performed many live gigs with various artists, and played regularly in The Southern Memories band, an Ohio group known for playing traditional country music.
Gary Adams and his brothers are what you might call legends around Ohio, and he often played gigs with Don as well as other former members of the Jones and Paycheck bands including pedal steel player Doug Jernigan, who was a life-long friend.
Notably, Mike Judge made The Adams Boys stars, putting them on two episodes of HBO’s Tales From The Tour Bus where Gary, Don and Arnie in cartoon form got to narrate and tell stories from their lives on the road backing Jones and Paycheck. The episodes are must watch if you are a fan of country music.
The Gary Adams legacy should be remembered. He was a pioneer of live honky-tonk guitar. He was one of a handful of influential musicians who helped numerous country music icons craft their sound. When the subject of influential and formative country guitarists comes up, we often mention Chet Atkins, Don Rich, James Burton, Grady Martin and others. But perhaps the name Gary Adams should be among them, as he helped define country music in the live setting, and set a template for the sound which will no doubt continue to resonate for years to come.
Gary H. Adams is survived by his brothers Roland, Don, Darrell, Farrell and Wayne. He is also survived by his three sons. At the time of his death, he was living with longtime romantic partner Judy McCarty. He died on January 7th at Adena Greenfield Medical Center.
January 16, 2022 @ 7:32 pm
Great article! Gary Adams was an amazing and talented man. I had the pleasure of listening to him perform, and got to enjoy hearing some of his personal stories about his experiences playing with Jones and paycheck. He will be missed for sure!
January 16, 2022 @ 7:59 pm
Great article. Want to correct one thing on a false narrative that continues to get spread. It’s a much more fair statement to say that Paychecks singing was continuing to evolve due to the close association with Jones, including Paycheck counting Jones as an inspiration and influence when he began making records. Paycheck was emulating Jones, not the other way around. Paycheck continued to site Jones influence on his throughout his entire career. Jones said Paycheck had no influence on his singing and it’s easily proven listening to Jones records in the 50s and early 60s. Only a few with a narrative to push have said otherwise.
January 16, 2022 @ 11:24 pm
The way Kevin Smith characterized it by saying, “some have noted George Jones singing was continuing to evolve as a result of the close association and creativity of Paycheck” I think fairly portrays that who influenced who is open for interpretation and discussion. I’ve heard strong arguments on both sides, which means saying “some have noted” is inherently true, even if others argue that it was Paycheck who experienced the evolution.
January 18, 2022 @ 8:42 am
It could just have easily said that “some have noted” Paycheck began his recording career listing Jones as an influence, and emulating his influence as his influence developed his own creative style in route to becoming the greatest ever. And also that Paycheck possibly would have never had a recording career at all if not for Jones influence and support, and one could also assume from this that the Adams brothers may not have caught a break at all if not for Jones….. which all is probably much closer to the truth. But that doesn’t make for as good of a story as these few kids in Ohio hung out and made their way to Nashville making music, in route to one of them influencing the greatest ever?
But we all know Jones legacy doesn’t need any added overstatement, right?, Because he’s already known as the greatest ever.
Because you can’t change the truth in the slightest ways…..
January 17, 2022 @ 6:12 am
I wont take a dogmatic stance on the who influenced who debate. Deke Dickerson, in the liner notes to the Bear Family release, Johnny Paycheck-Shakin’ The Blues, has a lot to say on this subject. Whether or not you agree or disagree, listening to the 50s era Jones, albums like George Jones Sings, and Crown Prince of Country Music, and then listening to mid-60s albums like The Race is On, Im a People, New Favorites of George Jones and into 70s era Jones, you see or rather hear an evolution of singing style. During the earlier years, you hear a guy strongly influenced by Hank Williams vocally. Later, George developed this “technique” described by Deke Dickerson as “dips to the low registers followed by soaring high notes”. Prior to The Adams Boys/Paycheck years, you don’t hear it in Georges vocals. ( I have spent time listening to these records, myself) Paycheck also utilized this singing technique. Its prominent in the work of both men. Its possible that Jones himself developed it and Paycheck copied him, as you assert. My own opinion, is that George Jones is the GOAT. (Greatest of all time) but Paycheck is massively underrated, and during his tenure as a Jones Boy, he pushed the envelope creatively,as did Jones, and I believe both men benefited. And that’s Deke’s conclusion as well.
I did once ask Gary what he thought about this, and though I don’t remember his exact answer, he was of the opinion that both Paycheck and Jones were insanely talented in the vocal department.
I understand that the most rabid Jones fans will never believe Paycheck could have in any way influenced Jones. Jones himself was once asked, and he stated that it was the opposite, that he influenced Paycheck. But given Jones ego, I would never expect him to say differently. If you can find a Paycheck interview, where he gives all the credit to Jones, I would love to see that. I find the whole thing fascinating. Thanks for weighing in.
January 17, 2022 @ 9:58 am
To me, this is the Tyler Mahan Coe effect once again, where certain pieces of history are presented as absolutist facts, and the only way you can disagree is if you’re an idiot. I’m glad he is helping to keep country music history top-of-mind, but I don’t think anyone who wasn’t standing there right beside Johnny Paycheck and George Jones as they were developing their styles like Gary Adams was has the authority to declare in an absolutist manner who influenced who, and it is up to historians and journalists to present the complexity of the situation as you did.
January 18, 2022 @ 7:46 am
Except your wrong again here Trig. As you made this comment in a way of words stating Paycheck influence with Jones in an article several years ago (I believe it was an article on Ray Price band members?), and I made sure to correct that claim in the comments then. All of this well before Tyler Mahan Coe’s first season of his podcast ever existed, much less his coverage on Jones. Anyone who has actually listened to what Jones was doing well prior to Paycheck ever cutting records would know this. Is Paycheck underrated? Sure, but lets not overstate something (his influence on Jones) to overcome him being underrated.
Having said that, Tyler Mahan Coe does cover this subject in detail and the truth around the timelines of each singer probably better than anyone has. If you are aware of anyone who has covered it in more detail, I’d like to know so I can here a counter. I’m not sure why every time a comment is brought up, you have to immediately go to the “Tyler Mahan Coe is the boogeyman”.
January 18, 2022 @ 8:28 am
Thanks Kevin,
We share the opinion that Jones is the GOAT and that Paycheck is underrated. However, a few have overstated a narrative on Paychecks influence on Jones, when its simply not the truth. As stated in my comment to Trigger, I commented on one of his articles back in 2013 stating this. I was arguing against this overstated belief a decade ago on this very site. Paycheck may have had minor influence on Jones, but its clear that Jones was the major influence on Paycheck. This false narrative have been twisted after a few statements from people not knowing what the hell they were talking about.
First of all, to say Jones had an ego about his voice would be far from the truth. Everyone that’s ever talked or interviewed him is on record saying he doesn’t understand how good he is or why he’s important. He’s always been much more excited to talk about his influences than he was of himself. He’s always been extremely generous in his comments and praise for those who influenced him (Hank, Lefty, Acuff, Monroe) and to his peers (Haggard, Paycheck) and also to several who came decades later (Travis, Jackson, Strait, Kershaw, Chesnutt, Diffie, etc). The only time’s i’ve seen folks on record saying he made egotistical comments about his singing, were when he was absolutely blasted out of his mind. When someone brought up the Paycheck influence on him, he was genuinely surprised that it was even a thing. The reason he was surprised, is because its not much of a thing.
Just look at the facts:
Paycheck came a few years after Jones was on his way to already becoming a star.
Paycheck has from the beginning and until his death listed Jones as one of his main influences. Many times listing him first in his list of influences.
Jones records were evolving on their own, again well prior to Paycheck. Compare Why Baby Why and Just One More (heavily Hank Williams influenced) to where he was with his phrasing on say Mr. Fool several years later.
The recording always referred to with this false theory is “shakin the blues”, which was written by Jones (Imagine that, right?). Again, several years after Jones becoming a star, who would we say influenced this recording other than the songwriter who is a star?
Paycheck came to Nashville studying what Jones was doing, as Jones was on way to becoming a big star. He joined his band, again studying what Jones was doing, as Jones began being referred to as greatest ever. Paycheck is doing Jones, with slight adjustments authentic to his vocal phrasing. Its not the other way around.
Jones voice continued to get deeper as he aged. He was deeper in the 60’s than the 50’s, deeper in the 70’s than the 60’s, deeper in the 80’s than the 70’s. Heck he seemed to continue to hit lower notes with ease well into the 90’s. Because his vocal naturally deepened in the early 60’s from mid 50’s wasn’t because of anyone or anything other than God and genetics.
Again, who benefits from the false narrative? Paycheck. Hes criminally underrated, but what he recorded stands on its own. Doesn’t need an overstated false claim to try and add to his legacy. What better way to add to someone’s legacy who is underrated than to say they helped influence the greatest ever, right?
January 17, 2022 @ 1:17 pm
Great article. Agree – he contributed mightly. Loved his storytelling in “Tales From The Tour Bus.” Also agree that these episodes should be mandatory viewing for all Country fans…throw in the ones for Blaze Foley and Jerry Lee Lewis too.
January 16, 2022 @ 8:20 pm
Wow it’s been a week…RIP
Nice Job Kevin
January 16, 2022 @ 8:25 pm
“Nice Job Kevin”
^
January 17, 2022 @ 6:37 am
Well, shit. I was just listening to the song “The Last Outlaw” by Johnny Paycheck featuring George Jones when I saw this. Been a bad week.
January 17, 2022 @ 7:55 am
This debate shouldn’t even be brought up. Are we forgetting this is a tribute to a legendary guitar player. One who worked with the best and played a huge part in the Golden Era of Country Music. Let’s remember the life of Gary H. Adam’s. I have never saw anyone copy his style or sound like him. He was a country Jazz guitar hero to many. Folks from all walks of guitar life admired Gary including, Glen Campbell, Don Rich, George Jones, Ray Price, Marty Robbins, Chef Atkins, Steve Warner, Johnny Paycheck, Little Jimmie Dickens, Barbara Fairchild, Alan Jackson, Brent Mason, and others. He even played guitar for Patsy Cline on her very last performance, she bowered a young Gary Adams and a few of Ray Prices Cherokee Cowboys to back her up, later the next morning she was pronounced dead from her plane crash. Hollywood cartoonist and producer, Mike Judge creator of Beavis & Butt Head and King of the Hill admired Gary’s playing. Gary collaborated an album in the early 70s with one of the best steel players in the nation, Doug Jernigan. Gary also worked extensively with what most folks call the greatest steel players to have ever lived, the Great Buddy Emmons, Gary even named one of his boys after the late Buddy Emons. Gary may not be in the Country Music Hall of Fame as a guitarist, but he dam well should be.
January 18, 2022 @ 7:49 am
Randy, I will take another angle on your comment. You gave a great overview. However, the cherry on the top was the tie to Mike Judge (also noted in the article). However, you took it one step further…any reference to Beavis and Butthead belongs in the SCM comment HOF. Excellent! I wish Judge would bring the show back and have them rip on current pop-country instead of lame hair bands.
January 17, 2022 @ 9:30 am
How about, they learned from each other?
It is a gift, working with people who have a lot of experience and vast knowledge. You can incorporate their experience, and apply it to what you are doing.
January 17, 2022 @ 9:40 am
Randy,
Great comment! I agree on everything you said. I neglected to mention Gary’s stint with Ray Price in the Cherokee Cowboys. Both Gary and Paycheck played in that band briefly. Thanks for mentioning the jazz influence in Gary’s playing. Thats one of the things that distinguished him from other Country pickers, he brought a sophistication to the playing. He told me he used to bewilder some musicians when he would throw a minor 7th or 9th chord into the mix. And within his leads, he played the jazz scales.I’ve got a vinyl copy of that album he made with Jernigan, its impressive. Should also mention his brother Don Adams put out an album called On His Way, on the Atlantic label. Gary played on that record too, alongside Harold Bradley and Reggie Young, Johnny Gimble, Buddy Spicher etc. Don was a fine singer in his own right. But that’s another story.
January 17, 2022 @ 12:33 pm
I though the article was about Gary Adams and his talents and contribution to the early days of classic country music. Could you leave the debate about George and Paycheck for another time. Thx
January 18, 2022 @ 5:38 am
R.I.P.
January 18, 2022 @ 9:54 am
Folks,
My main reason for writing this article is to pay tribute to Gary Adams and the legacy he and his brothers have built. Regrettably, in a few of the comments, a debate has ensued, which ,while intellectually interesting, has annoyed more than a few of you. I apologize. Its not unusual, par for the course I’d say. If I had known my sentence would end up taking things down that rabbit hole, I’d have deleted it entirely. Not that we mind some back and forth on fun topics like that, mind you. But as many have pointed out, can we talk about Gary here? Yes! Please leave stories, experiences, memories of him here for people to enjoy. The story of The Adams Brothers deserves to be heard and Gary’s legacy can be kept alive by those of us who knew him.
January 18, 2022 @ 11:44 am
Sorry to learn of the loss of this major-league contributor.
But I’m really glad to discover that I am not alone in thinking that Johnny Paycheck is criminally underrated.
His voice is unbelievable and versatile depending on the feeling he is trying to evoke in a particular context.
January 18, 2022 @ 3:15 pm
I’ve heard stories of “the Adams boys” from Paycheck’s steel player Jim Vest and steel guitar great Larry Sasser (who recently passed). Apparently these brothers could hell raise with the best of them. Sasser tells a story of filling in on a run for Jones. Gary Adams was apparently a fantastic jazz guitar player as well. They were at a show with Jones and the whole set Gary was just playing jazz licks. Jones turns to Gary and tells him to play right and Gary tells Jones he’s gonna whoop his ass.
January 26, 2022 @ 7:21 am
RIP to Mr. Adams….I have several of the “old” albums and have enjoyed them throughout my lifetime…..now 66 yes old. With so many knowledgeable people on this post I have a question if y’all might have an answer as I’ve never been able to find an answer. We all acknowledge G. Jones vocal abilities…I have always been curious as to how he was viewed as a musician…I mean could he play his guitar or was it a prop? Just have always wondered about this.Thanks!!!
January 27, 2022 @ 1:11 pm
John,
Speaking as an amateur guitar picker myself, but also as a guy who occasionally writes about musicians, heres my take. Jones could strum a song with the best of them. He was a rhythm player primarily, and in his earliest years, the teen years, he would perform solo acoustic anywhere he could find an audience. So he was competent in my opinion. And that’s how a lot of front men even today do it. ( strictly rhythm) Most of his live performances ( with band) he would strum background rhythm and ALWAYS had a flashy lead player do all the solos. Obviously Gary Adams was one of a string of lead pickers who rotated throughout the Jones Boys long run.Some other lead players who came after Garys time in the band include Jerry Starr and Jack Watkins.( In the videos attached to this story you will see all those guys. But the first three performances are all Gary.) Gary told me he played off and on for George between 1960 and 1966, with other players filling in from time to time while Gary did other gigs or looked after family. I think George Jones best musical weapon was his incredible voice. In fact, if I had to name THE best Country singer , its incontestably George Jones, in my book.
January 30, 2022 @ 2:11 pm
Gary was a neighbor of mine, and my fondest memories are of him as person that my family would chat with… the clearest memory in my head was not his fame but how important his family was to him… Fame is wonderful and being an amazing musician is important … but being a good neighbor and loving your family far outweighs any fame. As such he is missed.
January 4, 2023 @ 7:02 pm
Let’s clear the air once and for all. After speaking with Don Adams I want to share the truth, In 1957/58 the Adams Boys and Johhny Paycheck would sit and listen to George Jones and attempted to emulate his voice and style. George Jones did not attempt to copy or imitate Johhny Paycheck it was definitely the opposite. This is fact, not opinion, from someone who grew up with Paycheck and played in the band of both artists. Paycheck was born in 1938 and George was 7-8 years older than him. Paycheck was discharged from the Navy in late 1956/57 and George was all ready releasing music and becoming a star