Country music history is made as ALABAMA and The Oak Ridge Boys team up in-studio for the first time to record “Jesus and John Wayne.” This tribute to gospel music’s legendary songwriting duo, Bill and Gloria Gaither, was released today and will hit radio adds on August 28. Written by the Gaithers, the song portrays the journey of a young man navigating between rugged cowboy life and sainthood.
ALABAMA’s Randy Owen expresses excitement about the collaboration, saying, “Our version with The Oaks singing harmony with us gives this song a strong message.” Teddy Gentry of ALABAMA also chimes in, “It was an honor to get invited to do a song on Bill and Gloria’s tribute project, especially on such a cool song. And double-fun to have our Hall of Fame brothers, the fabulous Oak Ridge Boys, join us for the first time on a song!”
“It was a fun song to record. Our version with The Oaks singing harmony with us gives this song a strong message.”
– Randy Owen, Alabama
The Oak Ridge Boys’ Duane Allen shares the thrill of recording with ALABAMA, stating, “To record ‘Jesus and John Wayne’ with ALABAMA, a song written by Bill and Gloria Gaither, is a perfect way to combine the voices and careers of both groups and the writers of this song.”
The upcoming release of Gaither Tribute, Honoring the Songs of Bill & Gloria Gaither, on August 25 via Gaither Music Group, features more than 700 popular gospel songs from the Gaithers, including hymnal standards like “Because He Lives” and “He Touched Me.” Their collective talent has earned them eight GRAMMY Awards and over two dozen Gospel Music Association (GMA) DOVE Awards, solidifying their place as legendary Christian songwriters of the century.
About Alabama
Meet the trailblazers of country music – ALABAMA, the first band in the genre. From cotton fields to global stardom, they sold 80 million albums and scored 43 No.1 hits. Despite the loss of co-founder Jeff Cook, their iconic music lives on as they continue touring for new and old fans. For more information on ALABAMA, visit thealabamaband.com.
About The Oak Ridge Boys
The Oak Ridge Boys, synonymous with country music’s spirit, sold over 41 million records. With awards like GRAMMY® and GMA DOVE Awards, their success spans decades. Chart-toppers like “Elvira,” “Bobbie Sue,” and “Thank God For Kids” cemented their status in music history.
For more information on The Oak Ridge Boys, visit oakridgeboys.com.
