Earl Gilliam, a longtime staple of the area blues scene who was known worldwide, died at his Tomball home on Oct. 19 of advanced lung disease, according to his manager Sheri Goodman. He was 81.

The longtime pianist wrote several acclaimed blues hits, including “Wrong Doin’ Woman”, “Don’t Make Me Late Baby”, “Nobody’s Blues”, “Just You and I” and “Petite Baby”. He played as both a front man in his own band and played with others including legends like Sam Lightnin’ Hopkins, Clarence Gatemouth Brown, T-Bone Walker, Percy Mayfield, Hop Wilson, Big Mama Thornton and Esther Phillips.

“He was an extraordinary musician and an even more extraordinary person,” Goodman said. “This was a man who was a true and loyal friend − he never spoke ill of anybody.”

Photo: Blues great Earl Gilliam, of Tomball, was all smiles while celebrating his 80^th birthday with gifts presented by fans, family and friends.

The youngest of 10 children born in New Waverly, Gilliam got his start playing piano at home with his musical family. By the time he was 10, he was the organist in his hometown church.

When Gilliam was 17 he moved to Houston and formed his first band, The Ragmops, with three of his brothers. They played mostly country and western in the Conroe area. By the time he was 19, Gilliam’s reputation as a blues pianist began to spread and he was invited to tour Europe with Clarence Gatemouth Brown. His mother, however, thought he was too young and forbid it.

He has been lauded as the best blues organist alive by several music critics.

“(Gilliam) was one of the very few musicians who could play with Lightnin’ Hopkins, because of Hopkins’ unique sense of timing," Goodman said

Revelers of the blues described Gilliam’s sound as unique and a jazzy Texas Blues with a Gulf Coast flavor that hints of his father’s Louisiana roots.

In his 70’s, Gilliam still had a love for playing and formed his own band with other Blues greats in the area; guitarist I.J. Gosey, bassist Fred Arceneaux and drummer Jackie Gray.

After moving from Houston to Tomball years ago, Gilliam became well-known as a person and not just a musician. He played organ for years at Salem United Methodist Churchin Tomball and also regularly volunteered at the local Catholic church.

Gilliam was also known for his regular performances put on from his home in Tomball. The famed Dog House, as it was called where he invited both veterans and newcomers to play with him, while his wife Carrie Jean and he served BBQ, mustard greens and other southern comfort foods, while the music played. Many professional musicians and touring artists made their way to Tomball for the legendary jams.

Gilliam is survived by his wife Carrie Jean Gilliam; brother, Jessie Gilliam; sister, Betty Joyce Shields; 10 children and numerous grandchildren, nieces, nephews and cousins.

His funeral services will be held on Oct. 29, at noon, at Carl Barnes Funeral Home in Houston. A viewing will precede the funeral at 10 a.m.

Photo by Joel Otte

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