The country music world is mourning the passing of long-time performer and session singer John Wesley Ryles, who died on Sunday, November 2, 2025, at the age of 74.
Ryles was born on December 2, 1950, in Bastrop, Louisiana, and grew up in an area rich in country and Southern musical traditions. He sang gospel music with his family on radio shows as a child and continued his career as a teenage country artist in the late 1960s, eventually becoming a highly regarded background vocalist in Nashville after his years as a solo artist.
He began his recording career in 1968 at 17 with the single “Kay,” which peaked at No. 9 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart and also appeared on the Hot 100. The song, penned by Hank Mills, narrates the story of a Nashville taxi driver and his lost love, marking a significant start for Ryles as a young musician.
After this early achievement, Ryles released several singles and albums with labels such as Columbia, Plantation, ABC/Dot, MCA, and Warner Bros. His 1970s repertoire included his highest-charting solo single, “Once in a Lifetime Thing,” which reached No. 5 on the country chart with ABC/Dot.
By the late 1980s, Ryles shifted his focus from recording his own music to background and harmony vocals, establishing himself as a staple in Nashville’s session musician community.
In this capacity, he contributed to recordings by other artists over many years, becoming an integral part of the industry’s fabric. His voice was featured in the harmony and backing vocals on numerous albums by various country artists.
Colleagues referred to him as a giant in the music industry. Country singer Mark Wills wrote that Ryles “sang more harmonies… that to the listener, sounded like the artist themselves! He could blend with ANYBODY!”
Ryles was married to Joni Lee (née Jenkins), the daughter of country star Conway Twitty, connecting him to Nashville’s extended musical families, although his own achievements were independent of these ties.
Throughout his career, he developed extensive professional relationships in studio and live performance environments. Colleagues remember that, in addition to his technical expertise, his ability to complement a song and seamlessly integrate with different artists made him a valuable asset.
Ryles’s death led to a wave of mourning and tribute in the country music community. Many noted that although he might not have always been in the spotlight, his contributions were crucial to the sound of many recordings over the years.
His career spanned from the traditional sounds of the 1960s and 1970s through the modern country era. According to his obituary, Ryles leaves behind a legacy that includes not only his solo hits but also the numerous times his voice enhanced the recordings of others.
His career embodied a dual role in the country music scene: as a prominent recording artist and as a behind-the-scenes contributor whose work supported numerous others. His transition from a front-line performer to a model of studio craftsmanship mirrors the evolution of many artists who sustain their careers by adapting within the industry.
As the country music community reflects on Ryles’s career, the recordings he made and the many collaborations he supported stand as a testament to his lasting impact. His peers and fans alike recognize that while his name may not have been in marquee lights in recent years, his voice and influence were deeply embedded in the genre.
