CMT News

At a packed funeral service dotted with country stars and members of the Hells Angels, country singer Johnny Paycheck was remembered as a man "who traveled a difficult road but became a changed man." In the service, held Tuesday (Feb. 25) at Nashville's Woodlawn Funeral Home, the Rev. Glenn Weekly said that "the country industry has suffered a great loss." Country artists who turned out to pay homage to the late Grand Ole Opry member included George Jones, Trace Adkins, Little Jimmy Dickens, John Conlee, Billy Walker, Jeannie Seely, Billy Ray Reynolds and guitar legend Harold Bradley. Several members of the Kentucky and North Carolina chapters of the Hells Angels also attended. The 64-year-old artist died Feb. 19 in Nashville after a long battle with emphysema and asthma. During the service, a recording of Paycheck's song "Old Violin" was played and the crowd responded, giving Paycheck his last standing ovation. After the service, Paycheck was buried -- with his signature black cowboy hat resting on his chest -- at Woodlawn in a plot donated by Jones, his longtime friend. 02/25/03