Gene Watson Mourns the Loss of His Dear Friend, John Wesley Ryles
Country music legend Gene Watson was among those deeply moved as friends and family gathered to say their final goodbyes to John Wesley Ryles, a respected singer and longtime figure in the Nashville music scene.
At the funeral, Gene’s quiet presence spoke volumes. Known for his deep sense of faith and loyalty, Watson shared heartfelt words about Ryles — recalling their years together on the road, in studios, and backstage at countless shows. “John wasn’t just a great singer,” Gene said softly. “He was a brother in this business, one of the good ones — the kind that made you proud to call yourself a country singer.”
Ryles, best remembered for his 1968 hit Kay and his decades of harmony work with some of country’s biggest stars, left behind a legacy of sincerity and craftsmanship that shaped Nashville’s golden era. Gene Watson, who shared a similar traditional sound and spirit, reflected on that era with bittersweet emotion — remembering how their paths crossed through studio sessions and Opry nights that now feel like treasured memories frozen in time.
As the service came to a close, Watson stood beside Ryles’ casket, offering a final prayer before quietly joining the chorus of friends and fellow musicians singing an old gospel hymn — a fitting tribute to a voice that once filled the radio waves with warmth and heart.
“Country music lost a true gentleman,” Gene later wrote. “But heaven just gained one more voice for the choir.
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