BACKGROUND: Blues on the Move
 

D. C. Minner worked out of Oklahoma City all thru the late 50's and the 60's as the bassist and bandleader with Larry Johnson and the NEW BREED. This group was the top OKC blues/R&B band and they were a 'pick-up' band who traveled with and backed many national acts on parts of their tours. They did this with Freddie King for two years, moved to Memphis and did this for O. V. Wright. Also out of OKC for Eddie Floyd (Knock on Wood), Chuck Berry and Bo Diddley and many others.   

D. C. moved to Witchita KS in different formations of this group, Denver, and later to Los Angeles. There he had a band with Tony Mathews, someone he grew up with as Tony was from Checotah. In the 70's he moved north to Berkeley and the Redwoods (Whale Gulch, Whitethorn), and switched from bass to guitar. After this he grouped with Selby who had moved to Berkeley after finishing art school in Providence RI at RISD. She had traveled and performed her way west with Jim Donovan (guitar, vocals), as Home Cookin'. D. C. found himself using the ODYSSEY bar on San Pablo Ave. as a lab for his new songs and new instrument. Selby was holding down some Saturday night spots there, and with the encouragement of friends they formed BLUES ON THE MOVE in 1976.
 

HISTORY OF THE FESTIVAL

Twelve years on the road performing, and D. C. and Selby Minner were ready to move back to Oklahoma - DC's birthplace - in RENTIESVILLE and re-open his grandmother Lura's Cozy Corner as the Down Home Blues Club. That was in 1988.

The Festival grew out of the all-night club. DC enlarged the place, and the first Festival filled the enlarged club up two weeks after it was finished.Seven bands with Little Johnny Taylor as the headliner. They were hoping for 350 people, and when 700 came thru the door that Sunday afternoon they figured they were onto something good.

The next year Big Ray came down with his bulldozer for two weeks, they put up a fence and built the outdoor stage and went to two days. Two nights, really as the nights are cool in rural Rentiesville, even if it is hot in the daytime. 

The couple had met so many friends scattered across the country from the 12 years of touring, that they figured if they had one weekend a year with a great reason to get here (try 30 bands!!) the friends might get to meet each other. Also they knew lots of great musicians who weren't playing festivals and who were sure qualified.

The Rentiesville Fest has turned into a reunion of sorts, both for musicians and fans. A showcase for great regional blues bands - headed up by 5 international stars - many on the move up through the ranks, and proud to be included in the Rentiesville tradition - and a focus for the music loving community across the state and beyond.

As the Festival has grown many people have come on board to help make it happen; it's far too much for two people to do. So we are grateful to these wonderful people who help make this three night event happen. 

Number 12 was a great year. Diva night got such rave reviews in 2001 that the Divas were spread across the entire Fest in 2002- hence the DUELING DUDES AND DIVAS, with a woman in every second or third group!

2003 was RAINED ON BUT NOT RAINED OUT!  It was a great Dusk til Dawn Festival here in Rentiesville, and D. C. and I want to thank all of you who came and supported the event!
People are telling me they had the best time EVER! I guess the rain had a bonding effect, pulling people together... even the bands that opened the shows at 6 pm were great - probably the most solid group of bands we've ever had. They all played within 30 minutes of their scheduled time, they all got paid...Great press this year, too. Thanks again to our loyal friends, one and all!!

2004 was a great year, we had great help from the Friends of Rentiesville Blues INC- the Golf Tournament and Poker Run were great fundraisers which put us back on our feet before the Fest began. Eddie Bagwell from the Blues Soc of Tulsa wrote:
"If you want to discover what the blues is really all about, you'll make plans for this one next year. ....It was so beautiful and pure, I wish you were all there" 

We are working on putting number 15 together right now (May 2005), and will put the schedule of bands on the site in June. Please check back!
 

Becky Reyes and Scott came from Bisbee AZ and played here in 2009 - Becky's first visit to perform, Scott's 4th most likely
                           

his is her newsletter entry  http://beckyreyes.com/home.html

One thing I've been wanting to learn for a long time is the blues. Sure I can sing the blues and I can play a handful of songs, but I've always had a bit of a block when it comes to really playing the blues (on my guitar). I've wanted to learn more, mainly so that I could play behind Scott who is a ferocious blues harp player. Well, next week, I'm starting a crash course with our very good friend and mentor, Scott Baekeland. I can't wait!

The reason for all this is that in September, Scott and I are going to Rentiesville, Oklahoma to play at the Dusk 'til Dawn Blues Festival! Our good friend Selby Minner asked us if we'd come and play between acts on the main stage. How could we say no? We love Selby!

I met Selby and her late husband DC through Scott. Scott hooked up with DC and Selby when he was living in San Francisco in 1984 and started touring with their band, Blues on the Move. One of their stops was Bisbee, Arizona. When the tour was over, Scott returned to Bisbee in 1985 and settled here. He is still friends with Scott Baekeland, another Bisbee resident and alumni of Blues on the Move.

Richard Byrd photo in the Bisbee paper in 1986 with Scott Muhleman behind Hiram Harvell and Selby ...D.C. in the front, of course!

Now about Dusk 'til Dawn. The festival, which is held every Labor Day, was started by DC Minner and his wife, Selby. In 1988, DC and Selby moved to Rentiesville, OK and re-opened his grandmother Lura's Cozy Corner as the Down Home Blues Club. DC enlarged the club, and as his club became more popular, the festival was born. They have had many notable blues artists attend their festival, and this years line-up is no exception.

Scott said to me this morning, "These are the guys, honey. These are the guys. They're the real deal". Now, most of you know Scott. You know how passionate he is about the blues. He has been walking on air since we made the decision to attend the festival. I'm in a bit of a daze myself. My very good friend, my blues mentor to be exact, Mr. Bill Brown will also be attending. Bill was one of my music colleagues when I lived in the Finger Lakes. I approached him, rather timidly one day and said, "Bill, I can sing the blues, you know I can sing the blues, but damned if I can play them. Teach me." We've been friends (and he's been my unwitting tutor) since about 1988. And, through one of life's many little quirks, Selby and Bill were acquainted many years ago. Before she met DC, before Scott met them and before Bill and I became friends. Isn't life funny that way?

Well folks, that's it for this week. I hope this newsletter finds you well. I hope some of you will decide to come to Rentiesville this Labor Day to celebrate a truly American form of music with us. We'll be playing traditional blues from the 20's and 30's. I know Labor Day is a long way off, but I wanted to tell you now (said in my most sing-songy voice) in case you needed some time to arrange your schedules. See you soon!

Bisbee area mountains:

   Well, now that we've had a few weeks to recover from our trip, what continue to come to mind are thoughts of DC and Selby Minner. Scott and I might never have teamed up had DC not suggested that we work together. It truly never occurred to us to work together as we come from two very different schools of music.

   I'm an acoustic musician. If I had my druthers, I wouldn't ever have to plug in! Scott on the other hand is all about blues, and until recently, mostly electric blues. I like all kinds of traditional music, as well as some early forms of modern music, from traditional Irish, to bossa nova, to jazz, to blues, to cowboy, to bluegrass, to Mexican, and back around again! Scott, on the other hand digs all forms of blues, Piedmont, Chicago, St. Louis, Memphis, Texas, and the list goes on.

   So for years we just drifted around in our own respective circles and came home to each other, loving and supporting each other in our musical choices. Once, during a rare visit by DC and Selby, DC simply stated, "You guys need to find some common ground and combine your efforts, play together. You guys both like to play clean. Start there."

   The idea sat with us for a while, but it finally took hold. When we finally did start playing together, it just felt so right.

   We called DC & Selby a few times over the years. DC was in declining health but Selby would talk to us and give us such wonderful encouragement and words from DC. We'd run songs by her and she'd get excited about what we were doing. DC passed in early May, 2008 and we still can't believe he isn't with us anymore. Selby is carrying on, playing the blues, creating her own legacy, still encouraging us, mentoring us. We owe them both a huge debt of gratitude. We'll always be there for Selby Minner. She's family to us.
 

   Well folks, that's it this week. I hope your September days are as beautiful as the ones we've been having. The days are warm and the nights are chilly. We're getting ready to fire up the wood stove out here on the farm. 
Becky Reyes newsletter Sept 09

Past Performers

Little Johnny Taylor, Preston Shannon, Sonny Rhodes, Tutu Jones, Johnny Rawls     
     Don Shipps, Shawn Pittman, Roger Hurricane Wilson, Jenn B and the Groove Kings, Karen Vance, Little Miss Peggy, Will Williams, Buz and the Soul Senders, Rickey Preston, Harry and Debbie Blackwell, Smilin' Bob Lewis, Polly Ess, Joanna Connor, Rosie Ledet, Blues Boy Willie, Glen Lane, Guitar GG Amos, Larry Johnson, Johnny Adams, Hubert Sumlin, Big Bad Smitty,
     Magic Slim, James Peterson, Kenny Neal, Micheal Burks,Nappy Brown   
Miss Blues, Drink Small, Eddie C Campbell, Deborah Coleman, Flash Terry
Leon Blue, Miss. Amy, Linda Shell, D.C.Bellamy, Lighting Lee McWaters
Lem Sheppard, Smokey Wilson, Little Eddie Taylor Eddie Kirkland
Wanda Watson, Three Wheel Drive, Bar-B-Q Bob, Cary Bell, Rudy Love
      Chris Cameron, Blues Express, Berry Harris, James Walker, Buzzards
      Blackhawk,  Jimmy D. Lane, Lurrie Bell, Pinkie & Snakeshakers
      Indigenous, James Peterson, Lucky Peterson, Blackhawk Blues Band,
Jimmy D Lane, Claude Williams, Joanna Connor, Barbara Dane, Jesse Cahn
Kelly Joe Phelps, Smokn'Joe Kubek, B'nois King, Ted Cash, Lady B., Jerry Cryout, Joe Louis Walker, Vernon Garrett, Randy McAllister, The Detonators, Zac Harmon, Guitar Shorty.....and many more!

2004 Line-Up:

Johnny Rawls (MN) TRIBUTE to O.V.Wright
DC Minner (OK) and his All-Star REVUE (new!)
Tony Mathews (CA) TRIBUTE to Ray Charles!
Cookie McGee (TX)  TRIBUTE to Freddie King!
Flash Terry Band (OK)  TRIBUTE to FLASH!
Bronko TRIBUTE to Big Dave (Bigfoot) Carr
James Peterson (FL, Ar, Fl, NY)
Wanda Watson (Tulsa)
Berry Harris  (Wichita, OK)
Little Miss Peggy (OKC)
Roger Hurricane Wilson (GA)
Lem Sheppard  (KS)
Harold Aldridge (Taft, OK)
Watermelon Slim  (MA, OK)
Donald DD Dunn
Levee Town (KC, KS)
Red Dawn Blues Band (Tahlequah, OK)
Alicia Bennett  (OKC)
Miss Blues (TX, OKC)
Miss Amy and her Sho' Nuf Blues Men with Lee McWaters (McAlester, OK, OKC)
Jenn B and the Groove Kings (Fayatteville, AR)
Chebon Tiger (OKC)
235 Band  (Henryetta, OK)

2003 lineup:
James Peterson,FL, AR, NY;
Joanna Connor,Chicago;
DC Bellamy, Kansas City, Chicago, 
Don Shipps, Springfield, ILL
Karen Vance, Tulsa;
Berry Harris,Stringtown, Wichita;
Smilin' Vic, OKC;
Pure Silk, Tulsa;
Tony Mathews,Hollywood, Checotah;
DC and Selby Minner, Rentiesville; 
Lightnin' Lee McWaters, McAlester; 
Shawn Pittman, TX, OK
Will Williams,  San Francisco;
Dog Hill, Norman;
Harry & Debbie Blackwell, CA;
Chebon Tiger, McAlester;
Polly Ess, Tulsa;
Little Luke, Caspar, WY;
Jahruba, Norman OK
Loose Shoes, OKC
Roger Hurricane Wilson, GA;
Gravy, Wichita;
Jennifer B & the Groove Kings,
 Ricky Preston,Tulsa (with the Uptown Horns)
Little Miss Peggy, Barbara Martin; OKC;
Alicia Bennett, OK
Smilin' Bob Lewis, Ft Smith AR;
Matt Walsh, Wichita, KS;
Buzz and the Soul Senders, Bisbee AZ;
GOSPEL SHOW - Rev Sam Harper, Eufaula and 
the Pierce Family, Tulsa 
ART TENT- 
Glenna McBride, Eufaula
Domenica Lovera, Krebs
Flying Heart, Joann McMillan, Eufaula