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…