NEW MARTINSVILLE — The Ebert Brothers band will be inducted into the Wetzel County Hall of Fame on Friday in New Martinsville.

Pat Ebert Heslep and her son, Todd Heslep, who both live in Parkersburg, are members of this country music band that was founded 50 years ago. The band will be inducted at 5 p.m. Friday at the Wetzel County Museum, 136 Main St. in New Martinsville.

After the ceremony, at around 6 p.m., the Ebert Brothers will perform nearby for the free outdoor Back Home Appalachian Arts and Music Festival in New Martinsville. The festival continues Saturday and Sunday.

“Music has always been an integral part of our family history for back generations,” Pat Heslep said.

“My brother Norbert learned to play fiddle at a very young age by listening to songs played on a battery radio, played by picking the melodies. Later our Dad ordered hair for a bow from Sears Roebuck, and ‘strung up the bow,'” Pat said.

The Eberts grew up in West, near New Martinsville.

“My brother Ray also played by ear learning to play guitar at the tender age of 5. In his early teens he was gifted with a mandolin, and he mastered it,” Pat said.

In their early gigs, the Eberts were known as the Ohio Valley Boys, and so began their lifelong journey. The band was made up of Keith Anderson, vocalist; Jerry Drain playing standup bass, Norbert Ebert on fiddle and Ray Ebert on mandolin.

They played throughout the Ohio Valley. The brothers later formed a square dance band and played near and far. Later, Gary Ebert joined his brothers Norbert and Ray in the New Martinsville-based band.

“Norbert realized he (Gary) had talent and bought him his first set of drums. He later joined the group, and also provided percussion for theatrical programs,” Pat said.

Pat Ebert Heslep joined her three brothers in the band as a singer at about the age of 13. Ray and Norbert also sang as a duet.

“Their harmony, like most family members, was perfect,” Pat said.

During the 1970s the group did a West Virginia state park tour, being the first country music group to do so, Pat noted.

Norbert Ebert has passed away but will be remembered at the June 30 induction ceremony.

The Wetzel County Museum has many pictures and letters of recommendation from local dignitaries and governors about the Ebert Brothers.

“Norbert was the originator, the visionary, the driving force,” Pat said, adding it will be sad that Norbert won’t be at the induction ceremony.

Pat said it is exciting that the Ebert Brothers will be the third group or person to be inducted into the Wetzel County Hall of Fame. Former West Virginia University head football coach Bill Stewart was the first inductee, Pat said.

In 1968, Norbert Ebert put together a variety show to raise funds to help with restoration of the Lincoln Theater, New Martinsville’s community theater. It has become the longest running show of its kind in West Virginia, Pat said.

Over the years, the shows have been a vehicle to raise money for many people in need, as well as local charities.

When Norbert passed, it was his wish to have this venue to continue and it has through the leadership of his brother Ray.

Many people from Nashville performed during the years and many shows were sold out and people had to be turned away, Pat said.

“We don’t have a time set for hanging it up (as a band), but we are all older and the time will come,” Pat said.

“We all are indebted to our parents who encouraged us and told us we had ‘God given talents’ and we had to use it. (We were) never looking for or seeking fame and certainly not ‘fortune’; it has always been about family and giving thanks for the ties that music has provided,” Pat Heslep said.

Current members of the Ebert Brothers are Ray (mandolin) and Gary Ebert (drums), Allen Neff (bass), Ron Hoskinson (guitar), John Elson (keyboard), Wyatt Kidd (fiddle), Pat Heslep (vocals and guitar), Todd Heslep (guitar, vocals) and Dana Murphy (steel guitar).

For the music schedule of the Back Home Appalachian Arts & Music Festival in New Martinsville through July 2 go to backhomefestival.com.