09/08/2026
This is Jayne Hutt with Friends of Rentiesville Blues, Inc. I wanted to say a few things that have continued to concern me. Good or Bad, Right or Wrong. This is from Me and are my opinions.
First, the musicians and volunteers who constantly support Rentiesville and the dream Selby and DC had, should be given nothing but respect and appreciation.
An example of why....The Selby All Star Band play EVERY Sunday and EVERY event for FREE. Not even gas money... 200 musicians showed up over the Festival at reduced rates.... Volunteers stood in 108 degree temps to keep the legacy moving !
We all LOVED Selby !!
Most old timers to Rentiesville state DC and then Selby discussed in person with many of the artists, Board and volunteers what they were about and what the dream is and how it should move ahead.
These artists continue to this day in lifting them and their LEGACY up. Did any musicians/volunteers ever speak up or disagree, sure they did. And their concerns were addressed by Selby privately and worked thru regardless of her ultimate decision. I never saw a post about it... The Board that Selby left, never ever intended to be put in this position and are still reeling from the magnitude of work we volunteered for.
We can also agree that Selby was our good friend and we worked with her for years before becoming Board members.
But, none of US has her awesome personality that kept us all having a certain feel for our "special" frienship" with her. What we as a Board do have, is a strong understanding of what the plan was and is. We personally loved her and our inclusion in how she wanted all events treated and her motives has kept us moving forward.
That said, it deeply saddens my heart to read some of the posts that are so much about tearing down what they left US to do. I can't hear the words that she/they were SO LOVED but then these posts seek to pull apart their LEGACY with selfish motive and disdain for all the things she tasked US with.
How do we continue to do what she wanted with folks who she loved belittling any part of her dream ? As time goes on, people will never have the opportunity to meet her and "know" what we ALL felt so they only have ALL OF US to tell and show them the place she came from... Is the Board getting it right ? Yes and No, we are volunteers and not Selby. We do everything often daily for the last 14 months to keep what they built ALIVE with a small group of Board and non Board volunteers who "get it", work tirelessly for free and loved the Minner's and their dream and are willing to do it forever as we push the Legacy forward.
I personally have had opportunity to handle a few issues that have come up. I have had no issue in being reached and am willing and able to help find solutions. So please feel free to reach out so we can all work together and find viable solutions. I would really appreciate no one using the page to grandstand or complain without giving any opportunity for US to address and then determine if there can be resolution.
In doing so please consider if you are moving the Legacy forward or deliberately trying to sabotage our beautiful friend's dream for the Museum, the Down Home Blues Club , the OBHOF, the Festival and Minifest to move into perpetuity. Let's work together, my email is [email protected], please reach out. The Board will soon be looking to expand and would love to hear from folks who might be interested in joining US. Send me an email if you would like to talk.
Help US KEEP THE BLUES ALIVE!
Thank you and I apologize for my lengthy text. Jayne
