Your Sister’s Gettin’ Married? Today?
Performed by Bale Harrison & The Field Hands
Music and Lyrics by Alan Nafzger
Verse 1
Well, your sister’s gettin’ married, that’s a big deal,
But Channel 8’s runnin’ John Wayne, now that’s real.
I got my boots, got my hat, and a cold one,
Can’t say no to the Duke—he’s second to none.
They’re servin’ vows and cake at the weddin’ hall,
But I got John ridin’ tall, takin’ care of it all.
Chorus
Sure, your sister’s gettin’ married, I know I should go,
But Channel 8’s showin’ John Wayne in a wild rodeo.
There’s True Grit on now, and Rio Bravo next,
I’m stickin’ with the Duke—no time for a tux or text.
I’ll send my regards, and maybe a card,
But John Wayne’s ridin’ and that hits me hard.
Verse 2
She’s walkin’ down the aisle, all dressed in white,
But John Wayne’s bustin’ out a barroom fight.
I love family, darlin’, don’t get me wrong,
But today I’m ridin’ shotgun where the Duke belongs.
I’ll catch the photos and the champagne pour,
Right after John settles up that score.
Chorus
Sure, your sister’s gettin’ married, but Channel 8’s live,
And with John Wayne ridin’, I feel so alive.
From Stagecoach to The Searchers all day long,
I’ll be tuned in where I know I belong.
So raise your glass for the wedding toast,
But I’ll be here with the cowboy I love the most.
Bridge
He’s the sheriff, the outlaw, the man with the gun,
With John Wayne in town, there’s no missin’ the fun.
I know it’s a big day, I should make an appearance,
But the Duke’s callin’ me, and that’s pure endurance.
Chorus
Sure, your sister’s gettin’ married, but John’s on the screen,
And for me, that’s a cowboy’s ultimate dream.
I’ll be there in spirit, though I’m parked in this chair,
Watchin’ the Duke take on the wild frontier air.
(twin fiddles)
Outro
So wish her the best, give the bride a cheer,
But I’m stickin’ with John Wayne, ridin’ out here.
So wish her the best, give the bride a cheer,
But I’m stickin’ with John Wayne, ridin’ out here.
Sure, the wedding’s important, I won’t deny,
She expects me to be there?
What do you mean; she ain’t got a TV guide?
Interview with Alan Nafzger by Kelly Donovan
Kelly Donovan: Alan, I heard you had an interesting experience that inspired the song “Your Sister’s Gettin’ Married.” Can you tell us about that moment?
Alan Nafzger: Oh, absolutely! It was one of those moments where inspiration just hits you out of nowhere. I was visiting an assisted living facility, and when I walked into the TV room, it was packed—probably about 50 people crammed into this tiny space. Men, women, all glued to the screen. I mean, if the fire marshal had walked in, he would’ve shut the place down!
Kelly Donovan: (Laughs) That must’ve been quite the scene. What were they watching?
Alan Nafzger: John Wayne. Of course, right? It was one of those classic Westerns, and you could tell they’d seen it a hundred times, but you wouldn’t know from the way they were focused. It was like everything outside of that room didn’t matter. And that’s when it hit me—the idea for the song. I pulled out my phone and started writing right there.
Kelly Donovan: So you’re in this packed TV room, surrounded by people hooked on John Wayne, and you just started writing?
Alan Nafzger: Exactly. I was thinking about how life can be full of big moments—weddings, birthdays, you name it. But sometimes, people get wrapped up in something that feels just as big, like an old Western on TV. That’s where the line, “Sure, your sister’s gettin’ married, but Channel 8’s showin’ John Wayne,” came from. It’s that funny, almost absurd moment when watching the Duke feels like the most important thing.
Kelly Donovan: I love that. It’s such a relatable concept—getting caught up in something trivial when life is happening around you. Did you know right away the song would have this comedic, lighthearted feel?
Alan Nafzger: Yeah, I did. I knew it had to be humorous because it was just too absurd not to be. It’s not about being disrespectful to the big moments, but sometimes, those little distractions feel huge in the moment. I wanted the song to capture that without taking itself too seriously.
Kelly Donovan: Well, you nailed it! So, in that moment, did you feel like one of those people who would’ve picked John Wayne over a wedding?
Alan Nafzger: (Laughs) I gotta admit, for a minute there, yeah. Watching them, you could see how they didn’t want to be anywhere else. It wasn’t about ignoring life’s big moments—it was about finding joy in the little ones, even if it’s just a good ol’ Western.
