RENTIESVILLE – Tragically, legendary blues musician and impresario, Selby Minner, died on June 10, slain at the site where she lived and performed for decades.
Her husband, DC Minner, co-founder of the Dusk ‘til Dawn Blues Festival, died from a heart attack on May 6, 2008.
Both, celebrated and universally loved musicians, are gone now, but their music will live on thanks to efforts by Friends of Rentiesville Blues, Inc. and countless friends.
“We are just a group of folks who loved Selby, the legacy and the music,” said Jayne Stiles, President of the Board of Directors of Friends of Rentiesville Blues, the group striving to keep the music alive “Were from all walks of life. None of us was in a position alone to do this. We appreciate everyone who can help us in this undertaking and moving DC and Selby’s memory on. It is an honor and an extremely scary spot to be in, but we will be successful. Too much love and energy for failure.”
The 35th Annual Dusk ‘til Dawn Blues Festival, in loving memory of the Minners, will be held Aug. 29, 30, 31, from 5 p.m. till 5 a.m. daily.
The Down Home Blues Club will hold a jam session on Sunday, Aug. 31, from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.
More than 30 bands will perform three days and nights on three stages during the festival.
Tickets are $20 per day. Kids under 12 are free.
For tickets and more information call Jayne Stiles, 918-864-7172 or go to facebook: www. dcminnerblues.com, @ selbyminner or @friendsofrentiesvilleblues.
The festival is being made possible by Oklahoma Arts, Oklahoma Historical Society and local sponsors: June’s Restaurant; 1872 Chophouse Restaurant; Green’s Feed Store; Sharpe’s of Checotah; Terry’s Roofing; Mullens car lot; Armstrong Bank; Peoples National Bank and Bank of Eufaula, and a host of volunteers.
“Everybody loved Selby,” said Stiles.
More than 20 volunteers are working on the up-coming festival.
“Selby had so much energy and she kept lots of notes. I feel like she’s directing us,” Stiles said. Fund raising is a big part of the effort.
In the past the festival has cost $55,000 – $60,000+ including inkind donations, according to Stiles.
“We do rely heavily on the gate to pay musician costs. This year we have bands and workers who are doing this with love in their friends’ (DC and Selby’s) memory. Selby did this every year and walked in faith that the music community would support this festival and without fail it has now for the past 34 years and here comes #35. We are so deeply saddened by our tragic loss of Selby but endeavor to make her proud,” Stiles said.
So far, about $11,000 have been raised.
“We’re looking for about $25,000+. We have several large sponsorships we are pursuing and if they are realistic we will be able to move closer to that goal.
“We still rely heavily on all the Blues fans, family, musicians, volunteers and businesses to help us in celebrating DC and Selby’s dream.
“Our goal as a board is to raise enough funds this year that we are in a position to move towards perpetuity from now on with the grant yearly from the Oklahoma Arts Council.
“We are preserving a legacy and an event that ‘Keeps the Blues Alive.’ Money is an on-going issue, which is nothing new.
“Selby went through this every year, and the festival never went belly-up,” Stiles said. She said they haven’t had any luck with a Go-Fund Me.
For those wishing to make a donation go to Cash App, $FORBlues35 at Peoples National Bank.
More than 30 musicians are expected to perform.
“But that number is flexible. It may go up or down. We need enough money to pay the musicians. We pay them so little anyway,” she said.
She said musicians love to play.
“Playing is their drug of choice,” she said. “But, she said, they also love to get paid.”
Minner often played for free.
She would teach at local libraries for free, until she received a grant from the Arts Council, then she was able to earn a little money doing what she loved.
Friends of Rentiesville Blues want to pass along their love for the “Blues” to the younger generations.
Old fans, Stiles noted, are passing away.
Who will replace them?
“We need to attract younger fans to keep the music alive,” she said.
In addition to President Stiles, the board includes:
• Alfred Gilyard, Vice President
• Shelly Zaikis, Secretary/ Treasurer
• Nanette Robertson Carr, Authorizing Financial Officer
• Dr. Harold Aldridge
• Harry Williams
• D.W. Moore
• Donna McGirt
• Joan Duffy
• T.Y. Wilson
