Doug has been playing music since the age of ten. In 1980, he formed his first group, the KILLER BEES SWING BAND, which made it's mark in the bars of State College PA. In 1981, after taking up the guitar, he co-founded the EVAN PUGH REVUE, central PA's first reggae band, and also played blues and swing with BARBARA SINGER. After moving to Lewisburg in 1983, he joined the pPITS, an eclectic punk band, and founded reggae rockers the BACKBEATS. A move to Williamsport ensued, and Doug joined several bands there over the years, including the DISTANCE, RHYTHM FACE and the IMPROMPTU BLUES BAND. He spent some time with the very popular rhythm and blues group FRESH OUT THE BOX, and was with the SIRENS for five years, touring widely throughout the region. The NIGHTCRAWLERS, an eclectic blues band, had a five year run during the '90's, and Doug also played with State College's AAA BLUES BAND, appearing on their “High Water” CD, which won the Billboard Magazine “Best Unsigned Band” contest in 1997. Regional reggae star GEORGE WESLEY called, and Doug toured from upstate New York to the Maryland shore with him. LUMPY GRAVY grew out of Doug's friendship with Owen MacDonald in the Wesley band, forming in the Spring of 1998. Since then, Doug has played extensive solo gigs, and played with BLUES AND GASOLINE (which went to Memphis for the International Blues Challenge) appearing on their CD “High Test.” He was also a member of the extremely popular DAVID LYNN BAND. Along with Lumpy Gravy, he currently plays with the SHADE TREE MECHANICS blues group, THE DOUG MCMINN JAZZ QUARTET, SINK OR SWING, and BLACK AND BLUES. For the last two years, Doug has played in a blues/roots/jazz duo with HANNAH BINGMAN, in addition to continuing his solo performances.

McMinn has jammed with notables including Steve Miller, Lonnie Shields, Saffire, Townes Van Zandt, E. G. Kight, Peter Stampfel, Gary Lucas, Sonny Rhodes, ULU, Hypnotic Clambake and Queen Bee. Doug was a founder of the Billtown Blues Festival, where he has performed five times, most recently with Black'n'Blues in 2007.