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The original REINSMEN, formed in
1962, consisted of Dick Goodman, Jerry Compton and Don
Richardson. They performed throughout southern California and in
1967 were joined I by artist and musician Robert Wagoner. Bob
got them a job at the annual Death Valley Encampment in 1969 and
where they still appear each November. Doc Denning joined the
group in 1978 and added his remarkable vocals, narrative
ability, songwriting and fiddle playing. Harvey Walker, who had
occasionally joined the group in appearances over the years as
singer and fiddle player became a regular member in the mid-90s
along with Johnny Blankenship. Their addition brought a new
dimension to the Reinsmen sound.
The Reinsmen's long and
illustrious career has taken them into the realm of movies and
television and onto performance stages with some of music's
greats-Roy Rogers and Dale Evans, Rex Allen, Ken Curtis, Jimmy
Wakely, Merle Travis, Tex Williams, Cliffie Stone, Eddie Dean
and Marty Robbins and many others. They toured with Rex Allen
for many years The Reinsmen and recorded an album with Rex Jr. A
trip to Austria won them a whole new audience. Their dedication
to the preservation and recording of western songs, attention to
classic arrangements, perfection of their vocals, and
outstanding musicianship have made them living legends in the
field of Western Music.
Dick Goodman was a founding
member of the WMA and served on the Board of Directors. Over the
past ten years, the Reinsinen have been a highlight at a number
of WMA Festivals. No matter where they have played, they have
left each listener with an appreciation the beauty, majesty, and
humor that is associated with the west of the reel and the real
cowboy.
by Michelle
Sundin
http://www.westernmusic.org/HallOfFamefiles/Reinsmen.html
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