The country music world is honoring the life of seasoned artist and session singer John Wesley Ryles, who passed away on Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025, at the age of 74.
Ryles was born on Dec. 2, 1950, in Bastrop, Louisiana, and was raised in an area rich in country and Southern music traditions. As a child, he performed gospel music with his family on radio shows and began his career as a teenage country singer in the late 1960s. He later became one of Nashville’s esteemed background vocalists following his years as a solo artist.
He entered the music scene in 1968 at age 17 with the release of 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 tale of a Nashville taxi driver and his lost love, marking a promising beginning for Ryles as a young musician.
After this initial success, Ryles released numerous singles and albums under labels such as Columbia, Plantation, ABC/Dot, MCA, and Warner Bros. His work in the 1970s featured 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 songs to providing background and harmony vocals, establishing himself as a fixture in Nashville’s session musician community.
In this capacity, he contributed to other artists’ recordings over several decades, becoming an integral part of the industry. His voice can be heard among the harmony and backing vocals on various albums by other country artists.
Colleagues referred to him as “a giant in the music industry.” Country singer Mark Wills used this phrase in response to the news of Ryles’s passing, highlighting the respect Ryles held among his contemporaries.
Ryles was married to Joni Lee (née Jenkins), the daughter of country legend Conway Twitty, which connected him to Nashville’s musical families. However, his own achievements were independently notable.
Throughout his career, Ryles developed extensive professional relationships both in studios and on stage. His peers recall that his technical skill, ability to complement songs, and seamless collaboration with artists made him a particularly valuable asset.
Ryles’s passing led to a wave of mourning and tributes within the country music community. Many noted that although he may not have been in the spotlight, his contributions were crucial to the sound of numerous recordings over the years.
Industry publications described his passing as a loss of a musician who “bridged different eras of country music,” spanning from the classic sounds of the 1960s and 1970s to the modern country productions of later years.
According to his obituary, Ryles died at 74, leaving a legacy that includes not only his solo hits but also the numerous times his voice enhanced the recordings of others.
Ryles’s career represents a dual role in the country music landscape: as a visible recording artist and a behind-the-scenes contributor who supported many others. His shift from a front-line performer to a studio craftsman reflects the path of many artists who sustain their careers by evolving their roles within the industry.
As the country music community looks back on Ryles’s career, the recordings he made and the collaborations he supported stand as evidence of his lasting impact. Both his peers and fans acknowledge that while his name may not have shone in lights in recent years, his voice and influence were deeply embedded in the genre.