The Reinsmen
1998 WMA Hall of Fame Member

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