The Ealey brothers, who were raised in Sibley, will be part of the first induction ceremony at the Delta Music Museum since 2012. YZ, Theodis, David and Melwin are four out of 11 children who became known along the Mississippi Blues Trail as outstanding musicians and singers. YZ makes his home in Natchez and has for most of his life. His brother, Theodis, lives near Atlanta and is a full-time musician. David and Melwin have died and are playing in a heavenly band now.

All four of the brothers are among the most talented musicians to emerge from the Natchez area in an era in the 1950s and 1960s. According to Theodis Ealey’s website, Willie Mae’s juke joint was a huge influence with his love for the blues. Theodis started playing guitar at the age of four and joined his older brother as young as 14 playing the bass guitar at Haney’s Big House. The Ealey Brothers have a Mississippi Blues trail marker in Natchez near the Bridge of Sighs and are also mentioned on the one outside the Delta Music Museum in Ferriday. 

New Orleans, Memphis and Ferriday are the only three cities outside the state of Mississippi that have a Mississippi Blues Trail marker.

The brothers have played music most of their lives. YZ Ealey performed with an earlier band known as “the Merry Makers.” YZ Ealey and Theodis Ealey have performed at the internationally known Chicago Blues Festival, and several Delta blues festivals as well as part of the musical history of Haney’s Big House in Ferriday during the 50s and 60s. YZ Ealey was the band leader for the house band at Haney’s during the days and opened for such acts as BB King, Tina Turner, Big Joe Turner, Bobby Blues, Little Milton and many more. YZ Ealey continues to play blues in the local area every Monday night at Rolling River Bistro and other venues with Casey Gilbert. YZ Ealey has mentored many musicians in the local area and some of them will be invited onstage to perform Saturday, June 10th at the Arcade Theater during the induction ceremony and “jam session.”

Theodis Ealey has traveled multiple times all over the United States and in Europe with his blues, rhythm and blues and funky soul style. YZ Ealey was invited to perform in Europe with his brother, Theodis Ealey.

Other local performers invited to perform on stage include Mojo Mudd, Theodis Ealey, YZ Ealey, Bring Anderson, Maggie Brown, Phillip Trosclair and Drew David and Bubba McCabe.

If you love to support music and the Ealey Brothers, please show them your love by attending the induction ceremony and jam session at 6 p.m. on Saturday, June 10.

There will be no admission charge but donations will be appreciated. Commemorative T-shirts and posters will be for sale.

Deadline to be included on the poster and T-shirts is Friday, so call today. Become a sponsor of the first induction ceremony since 2012, by contacting Linda J. Gardner at her email (lindajgardner@gmail.com) or by calling the museum from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. from Wednesday through Friday at 318-757-9999.

Many thanks to our sponsors who have already come on board and are listed on our website at deltamusicmuseum.com.

Let the blues music and jam session transport you to an earlier time of your youth or just kick back and “chill” with some awesome blues musicians and entertainers at the Arcade Theater.

Hope to see you there.

Linda Gardner is the director of Delta Music Museum.