The legendary singer Miss Blues and drummer/singer Randy McAllister have two things in common.

“Me and him are from the same hometown in Texas,” said Dorothy Ellis of Oklahoma City, also known as Miss Blues.

McAllister of Rapid City, S. D., and Miss Blues are just two of the performers coming to Rentiesville this weekend for the Dusk ’til Dawn Blues Festival. Selby Minner and her husband, the late D.C. Minner, started the festival 19 years ago in D.C. Minner’s hometown. It’s her second festival without D.C., who died May 6, 2008.

This year is the biggest yet with 35 bands on three stages. The schedule is packed, said Selby, who just released her new CD, “Take One.” She said D.C. started his musical career with Miss Blues’ husband, Johnny B. “Piano Red” Ellis’ band, Rocking Aces Band. Miss Blues has performed every year at the festival. You can here her and her band The Blue Notes at 11 p.m. Saturday. McAllister and his band play at 10 p.m. Saturday.

McAllister is from Novice, Texas, and Miss Blues is from Paris, Texas, both in Lamar County.

“I ran across him years ago,” Miss Blues said. “He’s a baby. I’ll be 74 Sept. 26. Until they put me in the wheelchair on stage, I’ll keep singing.”

She said McAllister is a great performer. The two have performed at the same events before.

“I like his music,” she said. “The boy can open his mouth and sing.”

McAllister is a fifth-generation Texan, whose father was a fireman and musician. His father was a drummer in a band and inspired McAllister to follow in his father’s path.

He moved from Texas to South Dakota. He said it is beautiful there and fits his outdoors lifestyle.

“I just finished a new CD,” he said. “I keep challenging myself as a writer. I do things in my own terms. I’ve made my living as a musician and still lucky enough to pay bills.”

McAllister, who has been nominated for a Grammy Award, plays the drums and harmonica with a guitar and bass player as his band. He just put new songs on his Web site www.randymcallister.com.

Although he played the drums for years, he didn’t start writing songs until after high school. He never played in cover bands.

“I played hard-core joints that wanted Geroge Jones and Hank (Williams) Jr. That was training ground. On the new CD, I give credit to great players on there.”

He said he’s looking forward to being at Rentiesville festival because he enjoys getting to see other guys play. He also looks forward to seeing his friend, Miss Blues.

Miss Blues, who performs across the United States, said she keeps coming back to the blues festival because of the intimacy of it.

“I like it in the back yard of their house,” she said. “I like the juke joint atmosphere. Miss Blues was born in the juke joint.”

Selby said people who have never attended the festival are surprised when they come.

“You have to see it to believe it,” she said. “It’s a wide variety of people, smiles on their faces and a lot of really wonderful people. I’m overbooked with a tremendous amount of music.”



Reach Leilani Roberts Ott at 684-2908 or lott @muskogeephoenix.com.



If you go

WHAT: Dusk ’til Dawn Blues Festival.

WHEN: 5 p.m. until 5 a.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

WHERE: D.C. Minner’s Down Home Blues Club in Rentiesville, just off of U.S. 69.

TICKETS: $15 per day; and free, children under 12.

PARKING: Free with a courtesy golf cart available for those unable to walk from the parking lot to the festival grounds.

TIPS: Bring chairs or blankets unless you come early. No coolers or pets. Concessions available.

INFORMATION AND COMPLETE LINEUP: www.dcminnerblues.com.