John Wayne, who starred in countless popular Westerns and was nominated three times for the Academy Award during his 50 years in the film industry, is without a doubt one of Hollywood’s most iconic movie stars. Some of his most notable performances include True Grit, The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance, Rio Bravo, The Searchers, and Stagecoach, among others – which stood to be timeless and keep on collecting a large fan base until today.
More than forty years past his death in 1979, Wayne remains an iconic staple in the film industry. His legacy will continue for a long time – not just because of the greatest films that he made but also through this heartwarming ballad his granddaughter, Jennifer Wayne, wrote in honor of him.
Celebrating Her Grandfather’s Life And Career Through The Power Of Song
Jennifer Wayne is a celebrity in her own right! She’s a singer, songwriter, and founding member of the country music trio Runaway June. The group used to be Carrie Underwood’s supporting act, and you may know them for their breakthrough hit “Buy My Own Drinks” in 2018.
Sadly, Jennifer never had the chance to meet her iconic grandfather. Wayne died three years before she was born. But that did not stop her from expressing her respect and gratitude for the man he was and the values he instilled in her family.
So, in honor of the famous actor, Jennifer wrote this beautiful tribute called “God Bless John Wayne,” which she performed live during John Wayne‘s 100th birthday in 2007. It begins with western imagery from her grandfather’s films, but then it gets more profound and genuine as it lets us know all the life lessons that this cowboy taught us.
You can listen to the song in the video below.