John Wesley Riels

Kay, I’m livin’ yet I’m dying staring out at Music City from my cab.

John Wesley Riels was born Dec 2, 1950. He had a God-given talent of singing that led him into a lifelong career in music. Now he is singing with the Angels for all eternity.

John was a kind, loving, gentle soul. Everyone who knew him commented that he was one of the nicest people they had ever met.

John was blessed to have a wonderful mother, Dorothy, (Dot) and father, Johnnie who raised the perfect young gentleman. He also has three extremely talented sisters, Carolyn (Connie), Patricia (Patsy), and Mary. They were a musical family who performed together throughout their childhoods. Through his sisters he has nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews whom he cherished.

In 1968, John met and married a great love in his life, a beautiful young lady named Janice Fisher. At that time, he became a father to a precious little girl, named Jaime. John and Janice were married for 28 years until her death in 1997.

In 2001, another great love would enter John’s life. He married Joni Lee Jenkins. They were married for 20 years until his death. When John and Joni married, he became the stepfather to Christi and Jon. John and Joni now had a loving, blended family. Jamie and her husband, Windell, gave them a special blessing in 2007. They had their first and only grandchild, Jaiden.

John Wesley Riels had a successful career as a country music performer, amassing eleven Top 40 hits over a 20-year period including signature songs like “Kay” recorded when he was just 17 years old, and 1977’s “Once in a Lifetime Thing” that reached the Top 5. But it was his work as a background singer where he would create a place to share his voice harmonizing on countless country songs that earned him the respect of so many in Nashville. He recorded songs with superstars, such as Brooks & Dunn, Alan Jackson. Kenny Chesney , Garth Brooks and Reba McEntire to name a few. One of his most cherished moments was when he was able to blend his voice on a special project with his famous father-in-law, the late Conway Twitty.

The family invite you to a celebration of John’s life Monday, November 10, 2025. At Long Hollow Church in Hendersonville, Tennessee. Visitation will be from 10:30 to 11. The memorial will begin at 11:00. A private entombment will follow.