Ernie Isley's Wife Tracy Isley Has Been Supportive of His Career for Decades

Tracy Isley has been married to Ernie Isley of the legendary Isley Brothers for over 20 years. She has remained at his side and chuckled talking about him sleeping with his custom guitar.

In July 2017, Tracy Isley and her husband, Ernie Isley, touched on an interesting aspect of their relationship regarding Ernie's specially-designed Fender Guitar.

The longtime musician had named the instrument Zeal, which he personified with the feminine pronoun "her." Host Maurice DuBois asked Tracy how she felt about her husband's habit of sleeping with Zeal.

Tracy Isley on Sharing Her Bed with Her Husband and Zeal

When Maurice posed the question to the couple, Ernie gave an almost embarrassed smile while Tracy laughed and replied, "That was happening long before I came around." Regarding his relationship with Zeal, Ernie likened himself to Linus, an animated character in "The Charlie Brown and Snoopy Show."

Linus was a kid who rarely separated from his blanket, which Ernie understood provided a kind of safety for Linus. Similarly, Ernie said sleeping with his guitar was for security and comfort, though he added that it would take another musician to understand truly.

When Maurice asked if Tracy was okay with sharing her bed with Zeal and her husband, she happily agreed, saying that as a musician's wife, his guitar was "never in the way." She had come to see Zeal as an extension of Ernie. By this time, the couple had been married for 18 years, going on 19.

Tracy Isley Doesn't Have Kids with Ernie Isley

Tracy and Ernie have shared little about their relationship, but the couple has lived in Missouri for many years. It's where Ernie spent much of his upbringing, and though they've enjoyed living in the state, they're not big fans of its cold weather.

Another benefit of living in Missouri for them is a quiet lifestyle away from the noisy bustle of Los Angeles or New York City. Still, they visit big cities when they feel like it or when the occasion calls for it.

The lovebirds never had children, but Ernie has a daughter named Alexandra "Alex" Isley. Alexandra followed in her father's musical footsteps and is a well-known singer. In June 2023, she and Ernie released a song called "Brown Eyed Girl."

Tracy Isley's Public Appearances with Her Husband

Tracy, credited for photography and background vocals in The Isley Brothers' album, "Power of Peace," was present when the Grammys presented her husband and his brothers with a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2014.

In June 2021, she was at his side as the Isley Brothers — one of them, Rudolph Isley, recently passed away — were honored with a street name in Teaneck, New Jersey, where Ron Isley once lived.

A year later, Tracy supported her husband, alongside Ron and his wife, Kandy Johnson Isley, when he was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. Earlier in February 2023, Tracy and Ernie caught up with singer Elton John (married to David Furnish) at an event.