Blues legend Selby Minner remembered after tragic death at age 75
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Disclaimer: This article contains descriptions of violence and details related to an ongoing criminal investigation. Reader discretion is advised.
For decades, Selby Minner’s voice and spirit echoed through the heart of Rentiesville, Oklahoma—a tiny town with a big sound, thanks in large part to her.
A passionate performer, educator, and local icon, Selby helped put Oklahoma blues on the map.
Now, her tight-knit community is reeling after the shocking news of her death—and the painful twist that her brother has been charged in connection with the crime.
Selby Minner, 75, was found dead at her home in Rentiesville, which also served as the famed Down Home Blues Club.
It was more than just her residence—it was a cultural cornerstone, a place where music lovers gathered and artists honed their craft.
Police say her brother, 68-year-old Louis Carl Guenther, was found nearby at the Honey Springs Battlefield historic site.
Witnesses reported seeing him sitting alone for hours.
When officers approached, they discovered he was covered in what appeared to be blood and holding a hammer.
Authorities say he confessed to killing his sister and led them to her body.
Her home was the heartbeat of a movement
Selby wasn’t just known for her performances—she was a tireless advocate for music and community.
Alongside her late husband DC Minner, she co-founded the Down Home Blues Club and the beloved Dusk ’til Dawn Blues Festival.
These weren’t just events—they were lifelines for local musicians and a beacon for blues fans far and wide, with some even traveling from Europe to experience them.
The town of Rentiesville may be small—“I don’t even think it’s got a stoplight,” one local joked—but through Selby’s efforts, it became a landmark for blues enthusiasts around the world.
Also read: Ananda Lewis, voice of a generation on MTV and BET, has died
A teacher, mentor, and legend
Beyond her work as a performer and festival founder, Selby was deeply committed to music education.
Together with DC, she received the prestigious “Keeping the Blues Alive” Award from the International Blues Foundation for their contributions to teaching young people across Oklahoma.
She also founded the DC Minner Museum and the Oklahoma Blues Hall of Fame, preserving the state's rich musical legacy for generations to come.
Also read: He warmed hearts on "Lassie"—Joey D. Vieira has died at 80
Tributes pour in across Oklahoma and beyond
The reaction to her death has been one of heartbreak and reverence.
"Selby was an icon in the community," said Rentiesville Mayor Mildred Burkhalter. "She and DC were the reason our little town mattered to so many people.”
The OKPOP Museum called her “a blues legend and tireless champion of music,” while Tulsa radio personality Elizabeth Hollis summed it up simply: “She’s taught more children music in the last 30 years than, I think, anybody in the state.”
Also read: Hospice nurse reveals what the dying see—and it’s giving people goosebumps
A tragedy that leaves behind a powerful legacy
While the circumstances of Selby Minner’s passing are profoundly painful, her legacy will never be defined by this act of violence.
It lives on in every child who picked up an instrument because of her, in every festivalgoer who danced under the Oklahoma stars, and in every note played at the Down Home Blues Club.
She was a keeper of the flame—and thanks to her, that flame continues to burn.
Read next: Legendary Racing Icon Gone: How Bobby Allison's Passing Is Impacting NASCAR Forever
Have you ever attended a music festival or performance that changed your life? What role has music played in helping you heal or connect with others? We’d love to hear from you.
At The GrayVine, we honor the lives of those who’ve made a difference. If you ever met Selby, saw her perform, or were inspired by her teaching, we invite you to share your stories in the comments.
For decades, Selby Minner’s voice and spirit echoed through the heart of Rentiesville, Oklahoma—a tiny town with a big sound, thanks in large part to her.
A passionate performer, educator, and local icon, Selby helped put Oklahoma blues on the map.
Now, her tight-knit community is reeling after the shocking news of her death—and the painful twist that her brother has been charged in connection with the crime.
Selby Minner, 75, was found dead at her home in Rentiesville, which also served as the famed Down Home Blues Club.
It was more than just her residence—it was a cultural cornerstone, a place where music lovers gathered and artists honed their craft.
Police say her brother, 68-year-old Louis Carl Guenther, was found nearby at the Honey Springs Battlefield historic site.
Selby Minner’s lifelong dedication to blues music, education, and community helped shape Oklahoma’s cultural legacy and inspired generations of musicians. Image Source: YouTube / KJRH -TV | Tulsa | Channel 2.
Witnesses reported seeing him sitting alone for hours.
When officers approached, they discovered he was covered in what appeared to be blood and holding a hammer.
Authorities say he confessed to killing his sister and led them to her body.
Her home was the heartbeat of a movement
Selby wasn’t just known for her performances—she was a tireless advocate for music and community.
Alongside her late husband DC Minner, she co-founded the Down Home Blues Club and the beloved Dusk ’til Dawn Blues Festival.
These weren’t just events—they were lifelines for local musicians and a beacon for blues fans far and wide, with some even traveling from Europe to experience them.
The town of Rentiesville may be small—“I don’t even think it’s got a stoplight,” one local joked—but through Selby’s efforts, it became a landmark for blues enthusiasts around the world.
Also read: Ananda Lewis, voice of a generation on MTV and BET, has died
A teacher, mentor, and legend
Beyond her work as a performer and festival founder, Selby was deeply committed to music education.
Together with DC, she received the prestigious “Keeping the Blues Alive” Award from the International Blues Foundation for their contributions to teaching young people across Oklahoma.
She also founded the DC Minner Museum and the Oklahoma Blues Hall of Fame, preserving the state's rich musical legacy for generations to come.
Also read: He warmed hearts on "Lassie"—Joey D. Vieira has died at 80
Tributes pour in across Oklahoma and beyond
The reaction to her death has been one of heartbreak and reverence.
"Selby was an icon in the community," said Rentiesville Mayor Mildred Burkhalter. "She and DC were the reason our little town mattered to so many people.”
The OKPOP Museum called her “a blues legend and tireless champion of music,” while Tulsa radio personality Elizabeth Hollis summed it up simply: “She’s taught more children music in the last 30 years than, I think, anybody in the state.”
Selby and DC Minner, partners in life and music, dedicated their lives to preserving and promoting the blues in Oklahoma and beyond. Image Source: YouTube / KJRH -TV | Tulsa | Channel 2.
Also read: Hospice nurse reveals what the dying see—and it’s giving people goosebumps
A tragedy that leaves behind a powerful legacy
While the circumstances of Selby Minner’s passing are profoundly painful, her legacy will never be defined by this act of violence.
It lives on in every child who picked up an instrument because of her, in every festivalgoer who danced under the Oklahoma stars, and in every note played at the Down Home Blues Club.
She was a keeper of the flame—and thanks to her, that flame continues to burn.
Read next: Legendary Racing Icon Gone: How Bobby Allison's Passing Is Impacting NASCAR Forever
Have you ever attended a music festival or performance that changed your life? What role has music played in helping you heal or connect with others? We’d love to hear from you.
At The GrayVine, we honor the lives of those who’ve made a difference. If you ever met Selby, saw her perform, or were inspired by her teaching, we invite you to share your stories in the comments.
