Down an old two-lane road in a mostly rural setting, the popularity and longevity of one music genre grew from a small town setting to featuring a Hall of Fame to honor the music and the man that put McIntosh County on the map when it comes to the blues.
Born on January 28, 1935, in the tiny community Rentiesville, D.C. Minner was more than just a musician. He was a dedicated teacher, philosopher, and a beacon of blues music, leaving an indelible mark on the world of music, particularly in Oklahoma.
Founded in 1903 on land owned by William Rentie and Phoebe McIntosh, Rentiesville, Oklahoma, was one of over fifty All-Black towns in Oklahoma. It represents a unique chapter in American history where African American communities thrived independently. Rentiesville is located five miles north-northeast of Checotah, near U.S. Route 69, and just a mile from the Honey Springs Battlefield.
By the 1930s, Rentiesville had a population of around 154 people, featuring a lumber store, cotton gin, and several thriving businesses. However, the Great Depression and urban migration led to a decline in population. Despite this, Rentiesville remained a close-knit community with a rich heritage.
D.C. Minner was born to Clarence and Helen Pearson Minner but was raised by his grandmother, Lura Drennan. Lura played a significant role in his early life, operating a juke joint, speakeasy, grocery, and after-hours blues club on their family land. It was in this environment that young D.C. developed a deep appreciation for blues music, listening to various traveling musicians perform.
Minner's musical journey saw him performing with legends such as O. V. Wright, Freddie King, Chuck Berry, Eddie Floyd, and Bo Diddley. His contributions were recognized in 1999 when he was inducted into the Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame.
Minner and his wife, Selby, inherited his grandmother's prohibition-era corn-whiskey hall, The Cozy Corner, in 1988. They transformed it into the Down Home Blues Club, an after-hours venue with BBQ.
To bring blues enthusiasts together, they started the annual Dusk 'til Dawn Blues Festival, keeping the Oklahoma/Texas hot box blues tradition alive.
The Minners' passion for music education was evident through their BITS (Blues in the Schools) program, for which they received an international KBA from the Blues Foundation in Memphis.
Minner's dedication to fostering a love for blues music in the community was further honored when a street adjacent to their Blues Club was named after him in 1999.
D.C. Minner's musical odyssey began in the 1950s and '60s, playing with Larry Johnson and the NEW BREED. In 1970, he switched from bass to guitar and moved to Berkeley.
By 1976, he had formed BLUES ON THE MOVE, later added to the OK Arts Council Rosters.
In 1990. Minner earned the nickname "Doctor C" during his time as a blues musician and educator, a sign of respect for his extensive knowledge and contributions to the genre.
In 1991, Minner founded the Dusk 'til Dawn Blues Festival, and his dedication to music education and performance earned him numerous accolades, including induction into the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame and the Payne County Hall of Fame by popular vote in 2003.
Minner passed away on May 6, 2008, at the age of 73 and was buried in the Honey Creek Cemetery just a scant few miles from his childhood home.
The club today is still considered a destination for lovers of the blues and featyures weekly jam session featuring Minner's widow. The venue also features the Oklahoma Blues Hall of Fame.
Minner's legacy continues through the non-profit efforts of the Friends of Rentiesville Blues (FOR Blues), founded by D.C. and Selby. Their work ensures that future generations will experience the blues, including the continuation of the Dusk 'til Dawn Blues Festival.
