NATCHEZ &045; Returning to perform in his hometown is a thrill for blues musician Theodis Ealey, whose tours take him throughout the United States.

Ealey took time earlier this week to talk about his recent concerts and future gigs in Kentucky, Texas and Louisiana, as well as his upcoming Natchez performance at 8 p.m. Aug. 12 at Hawk’s Lounge, 402 West Stiers Lane.

&uot;That lounge has been around for years,&uot; Ealey said. &uot;When I was growing up, it was called Vernon’s Place. I played there as a child with my brother Y.Z.&uot;

Ealey will bring two rising blues stars to perform with him. They are Lebrado, younger brother of K-Ci and Jo Jo of the renowed rhythm and blues group Jodeci; and Rasheeda, a 23-year-old singer just breaking onto the music scene. &uot;It’s the first time in Natchez for both of them,&uot; Ealey said.

A busy life on the road and in the family-owned Ifgam (I feel good about myself) recording studio makes a trip home a welcome break, he said.

&uot;I don’t think anyone has the kind of support I do from my hometown,&uot; he said. &uot;I can’t say enough about everyone in Natchez and what they have meant to me.&uot;

His career as a musician began when he was 4 years old. His brother, Y.Z., popular Natchez musician, taught Theodis how to play an instrument.

By the time he was 14, Theodis played with brothers Y.Z. and Melvin in a group they named YZ Ealey and the Merrymakers. Their Natchez debut was a success, but a year later Theodis joined another group and began honing his skills as a guitarist.

Today, he gets billing as a blues guitarist, vocalist, songwriter, producer and entertainer, his fame having grown nationally after he began to record for the Atlanta-based Ichiban label.

His &uot;Stand Up In It&uot; rose to No. 1 on the Billboard’s Hot R&B/Hip Hop Singles chart, remaining there for five consecutive weeks.

Further, he has been recipient of the Mo’ Better Blues Male Artist of the Year award, among other national awards.