Oklahoma Bluesman and Educator, D.C. Minner, dies at 73

D.C. Minner, who founded and operated the Dusk 'Til Dawn Blues Festival, died on Tuesday, May 6. Born in 1935 in Rentiesville, Minner and his wife, bassist Selby, founded the Down Home Blues Club in 1989 at his grandmother's former home in Rentiesville. After traveling the world for over 50 years and playing bass with many headliners including Freddie King, Chuck Berry and Bo Diddley, he returned home.

Oklahoma Arts Council Executive Director Suzanne Tate said D.C. was a highly esteemed artist included in both the Council’s Touring and Teaching Artist Rosters.

“D.C. had a gift for working with young students in Oklahoma schools and cultivating young musicians. His work to create the Oklahoma Blues Hall of Fame honors musicians and music lovers who have made a lifetime commitment to the blues community. His tremendous efforts to promote the magic called the Blues, have made him an Oklahoma favorite. He will be greatly missed,” said Tate.

Minner received a Governor’s Arts Award in 2006 and inducted into the Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame and the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame. The Minners won both a W.C. Handy Award and the Blues Foundation's Keeping the Blues Alive Award for their efforts.

Services will be held at the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame on Saturday, May 17 at 11:00 a.m. in Muskogee and then at the First Baptist Church of Rentiesville at 2:00p.m. Internment will be at Honey Springs Cemetery. Dinner will follow at the Blues Club.