Country singer dies aged 74 as tributes pour in for star!
The country music world is mourning the loss of John Wesley Ryles, a gentle voice that carried truth, tenderness, and timeless storytelling. Ryles passed away peacefully on November 2, 2025, at the age of 74.
Born in Bastrop, Louisiana, in 1950, Ryles grew up in a world without electricity or radio. Music wasn’t just a pastime—it was the heartbeat of family life. “The only entertainment we had was singing,” he once said, remembering nights spent harmonizing under the stars. Those moments became the foundation of a career defined by raw honesty.
By 13, he was performing in Texas clubs; by 15, he had convinced his father to move to Nashville so he could chase his dream. At 17, that dream came true with his breakout hit “Kay” (1968)—a tender ballad that reached the Top 10 on the Billboard Country Chart. With its quiet emotion and soulful delivery, “Kay” became an instant classic, proving that you didn’t need volume to make a listener feel deeply.
But fame, as always, is fleeting. By the early ’70s, Ryles stepped away from the spotlight, working odd jobs and seemingly fading from the music scene. Yet his story was far from over.