Good weather and great company could be found as Selby Minner and her friends brought to Rentiesville the 33rd Dusk ‘Til Dawn Blues Festival. The Blues lady herself, along with an array of Blues musicians from all over the area and several states brought the sounds of soul to the three different stages this Labor Day weekend. This year there were so many artists playing enough jazz music to stir any soul into the early hours of each morning.
From the back porch stage to the main stage, bands lit up the stage. The Down Home Blues Club was packed with patrons on the dance floor as jazz musicians and singers made it the party place to be.
Several musicians like Cecil Gray, Brad Duvall and Hammbone rocked the main stage Friday night. Then Saturday evening the Warner Jazz Band showed off their talent, followed by Main McMann, Scott Ellison, Oklahoma Ollie and DeJeana Burkes, just to mention a few, who kept the Blues rolling through the night. Oklahoma Ollie even played his guitar behind his back a few times and was presented the Legend Award for a Lifetime of Roots Blues Preservation by Legacy-KeepersRus. Pat Moss also received a Legend Award For Keeping the Blues Alive.
Jazz classics joined newcomers this year at Rentiesville as the festival hosted over 50 bands from near and far.
The Kid’s Village stayed busy with Joanna McMillian and her puppet show. Lots of children enjoyed putting on short plays with her. The Checotah Art Guild helped paint lots of children’s faces and few adults too. There were also plenty of vendors with unique items to sell and lots of delicious food.
On Sunday, Warriors for Christ and Carl Moore sang some gospel and then musicians Watermelon Slim, Shy Willie, Lem Sheppard, Big Train & the Locomotives and Cat Daddy finished the festival on the main stage.
Music truly went from dusk until dawn as hundreds packed the eventful weekend. Minner stated she’s still proud to be “bringing the Blues” to the area, even 15 years after her late husband, D.C. Minner passed.
“It takes a lot of behind the scenes and months of planning to make all this happen. I’m always so thankful for all the help, the volunteers, the musicians and most of all the patrons who come back year after year to keep the Blues alive.”
