Roy Payne: The Iconic Newfoundland Singer

Encountering Roy Payne: The Iconic Newfoundland Singer

My first introduction to Roy Payne took place during the summer of 1975 in Toronto, at a time when the Horseshoe Tavern was still deeply rooted in its Country and Western heritage. I had just moved across the street in June, and the Horseshoe quickly became my favorite hangout. By that point, I had even established an after-hours club, often called the Boozecan.

As a familiar face at the Horseshoe, I formed a solid friendship with Morty Starr, the manager. One day, Morty pointed out Roy, who was busy setting up his equipment on stage. He mentioned that Roy owed him $3,000, which was the reason he had booked him for the entire month of August—to recoup his losses. Morty then instructed the waiter and bartender not to serve Roy any drinks until the second half of that evening’s performance. 

It was a hot afternoon, and I headed to the other side of the room to share a jug of Draught Beer with my friend and tenant, Tony Vice, who also led the house band. From our vantage point, we could see Roy and his band preparing for the evening’s show while Morty managed the bar. A half wall separated us from the main area, providing a bit of privacy. As we chatted and sipped our drinks, I felt an unexpected tug at my leg. I looked down to find Roy sprawled on the floor beneath my seat, holding up a dollar bill. "Give me a beer, will you?" he asked, having crawled under several booths to reach us, so Morty would't see him. I gladly obliged, and that moment marked the beginning of our friendship.

Roy soon became a regular at my bar, accumulating a tab almost every night. We often spent time together outside of work. Despite his frequent drunken escapades, Roy was a whirlwind of energy and creativity, with connections to numerous country stars, including Billy Joe Shaver. I was often amazed as he would compose songs in mere minutes, one even dedicated to our bar menu. However, two of his songs truly resonated: "I Wouldn't Take a Million Dollars for a Single Maple Leaf," which he wrote during his service in the Canadian Army in Egypt, and "There Are No Price Tags on the Doors of Newfoundland."

One particularly memorable night, Roy found a water pistol and playfully squirted me. Armed with an old-fashioned seltzer bottle, I chased him around the club until I finally cornered him behind the bar. In a moment of desperation, he grabbed a sheet of paper towels to shield himself. Naturally, my seltzer bottle drenched the soggy towels, leaving him looking comically soaked, much to the amusement of everyone in the bar.

Roy was well-acquainted with every notable country singer, and through him, I had the pleasure of meeting Billy Joe Shaver. Time spent with Roy was always an adventure; he had an uncanny ability to create songs spontaneously, even crafting a catchy tune about the drink menu one evening. 

Today, many radio listeners outside of Newfoundland may not recognize Roy Payne or his music, which is quite unfortunate. He was an unforgettable character, truly ahead of his time. By the end of the month, Roy now owed $6,000 to Morty.

Roy Payne is a country traditionalist best known in Canada for his patriotic anthem "I Wouldn't Take A Million Dollars For A Single Maple Leaf." Despite his extensive recording career, he has often been overlooked by the music industry, possibly due to his "outlaw" image.

After moving from his native Newfoundland to Toronto, Roy became a fixture on the local country music scene, frequently headlining at the renowned Horseshoe Tavern. He had the opportunity to share the stage with his musical idol Waylon Jennings, as well as with other country legends like Bobby Bare and Stonewall Jackson.

As a recording artist, Roy Payne released albums through Paragon, Marathon, Starpak, and RCA Victor in Canada, landing more than a dozen hit singles on Canadian charts, including his original songs "Goofie Newfie," "Sweet Jesus," and "That's Why I'm In Love With Life."

As a songwriter, Roy Payne's work has been recorded by artists such as George Hamilton IV, Tommy Hunter, Dick Nolan, and other Canadian acts. He also composed the music soundtrack for the 1977 film Love At First Sight, the debut film by fellow Canadian Dan Ackroyd. His songs have even been featured in the CBC-TV show The Day The Earth Moved.

In May 2007, Roy was highlighted in a Cover Story for the Canadian publication Country Music News.

Born in Trout River, NL, Roy Absalom Payne was raised by his grandparents and served 12 years in the Canadian military. He held various jobs, including truck driving, before committing to music as his full-time career. Throughout his life, Roy penned songs inspired by his personal experiences. "I Wouldn't Take A Million Dollars For A Single Maple Leaf" was written as he stepped off the plane from his last military trip to Egypt. His struggles with marriage, addiction, and excess became significant sources of inspiration for his songwriting. While his recording career speaks volumes, it is the lifestyle surrounding it that truly defines Roy Payne’s legacy.