The news was first shared by Tracy Pitcox, owner of Heart of Texas Records, who wrote on Facebook that Ryles had passed away. Pitcox’s label is well known for preserving the legacy of classic country artists, and the post quickly filled with tributes from fans and fellow musicians alike.
“We lost a GIANT in the music industry today,” Wills wrote alongside a photo of Ryles. “John Wesley Ryles sang more harmonies on records, that to the listener, sounded like the artist themselves! 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.”
In the comments, singer Craig Campbell (“Family Man,” “Keep Them Kisses Comin’”) added, "He sang on my first two albums and crushed it! Def one of a kind.”
A Career That Spanned Generations
Born in Bastrop, Louisiana, in 1950, Ryles launched his career at just 17 with the 1968 single “Kay,” a Top 10 hit on the Billboard Hot Country chart and the title track to his debut album for Columbia Records.
After 1988, Ryles became one of Nashville’s most in-demand background vocalists, lending harmonies to hits by Alan Jackson, Brooks & Dunn, Randy Travis, Blake Shelton, and many others. He also wrote “Starting Over Again” for Steve Wariner.
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Fans Remember ‘The Best Kept Secret Nashville Ever Had’
“I talked to Joni last night. JWR was the absolute best boss I ever had. I was blessed to work for him during the Warner Brothers and MTM years—three songs in the Top 20 and opening for Willie Nelson. He was probably the best kept secret Nashville ever had. I am heartbroken,” one musician wrote.
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As Mark Wills wrote, Ryles’ ability to “blend with anybody” made him a cornerstone of the Nashville sound for decades — his voice quietly but powerfully intertwined with some of country music’s biggest hits.
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