Singer and Nashville session man John Wesley Ryles has died at 74.
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The news was shared on Facebook by Tracy Pitcox, the owner of Heart of Texas Records. Before becoming a highly sought-after background vocalist, Ryles was known for the hits "Once in a Lifetime Thing," "Liberated Woman," and a rendition of "Always on My Mind" that went to #20 on the Billboard Hot Country Chart in 1979.
John Wesley Ryles Grew Up In A Musical Family
Born on Dec. 2, 1950, in Bastrop, Louisiana, Ryles learned to play the guitar at the age of 6. He made his radio debut with his family's group, the Ryles Family Singers, who also performed in clubs throughout Texas.
The Ryles family then moved to Nashville in 1965. Ryles then struck out on his own and made his name doing demo work, studio engineering and club appearances in town. But he made his big break at the age of 17 with the song "Kay." It became a Top 10 hit on the country charts in 1968.
In the 1970s, Ryles hopped around various record labels. While he never became a superstar, he did have a solid run of hits that lasted through the late 1980s. He also married the daughter of Conway Twitty, Joni Lee.
Ryles Had the Gift of Harmony
Ryles eventually became an in-demand studio and background vocalist in Nashville. He worked with a long list of artists, including Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, Garth Brooks, Clint Black, Alan Jackson, Gene Watson, Aaron Watson, Kenny Chesney, Joe Nichols, Martina McBride, Terri Clark, and Conway Twitty, his father-in-law.
Tributes to Ryles have begun pouring in upon the news of his death. Mark Willis called him "a giant in the music industry."
"John Wesley Ryles sang more harmonies on records that, to the listener, sounded like the artist themselves," he continued in a social media post. "He could blend with ANYBODY! John sang on my first four records and always had a flawless blend with the lead vocal. It was perfect. My condolences to Joni and his entire family! Please lift them up in prayer."
Craig Campbell added in the comments, "He sang on my first two albums and crushed it! Def one of a kind."
Singer Penny Cardin Loden added, "When I first started doing session work in the recording industry in Nashville a lifetime ago, there was one voice that it was my honor to share harmonies with, and that was John Wesley Ryles... today he has gone to be with our Savior. Prayers for all who loved him."
