Doug McGinnis: Unsung Western Swing Legend
From Ronald Reagan to the Sons of the Pioneers: How one Western Swing artist did it all
James Douglas McGinnis, better known as “Doug,” was a dynamic force in California’s country music and Western Swing scene. A true jack-of-all-trades, Doug seamlessly balanced life as a musician, disc jockey, stuntman, and club owner, leaving an indelible mark on the culture of the West. Born on December 24, 1922, in Monroe, North Carolina, he eventually made his way to Placerville, California, where his legacy in music and film still resonates.
Before his entertainment career, Doug served in the U.S. Navy during World War II, fighting courageously in the Normandy Invasion and the Battle of the Bulge. He earned a Purple Heart for injuries sustained from shrapnel — proof of his grit and determination long before he graced a stage or a screen.
I first heard about Doug McGinnis from his daughter, Kris McGinnis Thayer, whom I met at one of our Sunday dances. She shared incredible stories about her dad’s life and his time playing with legends like Wynn Stewart — one of my personal favorites and a major influence on California country music. Those stories piqued my interest and I just had to learn more.
In Hollywood, Doug began as the stuntman for Russell “Lucky” Hayden, the star of Hopalong Cassidy. His skills eventually landed him roles in films with legends like Roy Rogers, Jackie Coogan, and Ronald Reagan. Whether performing stunts in Cowboy G-Men or acting in films like Women Major and Mysterious Decoy, Doug brought an authenticity that only a real cowboy could deliver. He even worked on Marty Robbins’s 30 Minutes at Gunsight Pass with Hayden and Roy Lanham.
Doug’s passion for music was just as impactful. He led his own band, The Sage Dusters, and played the rhythm guitar and sometimes drums with legends like the Sons of the Pioneers, Bob Wills, Roy Clark, Jimmy Bryant, and Speedy West. In North Hollywood, Doug owned the Mule Kick, a nightclub that later became the legendary Palomino Club. The Mule Kick became a hotspot for acts like Spade Cooley’s band and Cliffie Stone, helping to solidify North Hollywood as a center for California’s country and Western Swing music scene. Not content with just performing, Doug founded Mulekick Records, giving Western Swing musicians a platform to thrive. A deep dive into YouTube will uncover his recordings, where his powerful, melodic voice still captivates listeners.
Doug loved the Western Swing Society of Sacramento, where he was a proud member and Hall of Fame inductee in 1989. The Society wasn’t just an organization to Doug — it was a community where he shared his passion with like-minded fans and musicians. His daughter Kris recalls how he performed “Cool Water” at Society events with a voice that could silence a room. “I’ve never heard anyone sing as beautifully as my dad,” she says. “He had such a melodic voice. I know I won’t hear anyone sing that well again.”
Doug’s personal life reflected the cowboy values he celebrated. He was a devoted father to Kris and son, Doug Jr., leaving behind a legacy of family, tradition, and grit.
Doug McGinnis may not have been a household name, but his fingerprints are all over California’s Western Swing and country music history. A musician’s musician, a stuntman’s stuntman, and a proud Californian who embodied the spirit of the West, Doug lived the cowboy life he so authentically portrayed — another remarkable chapter in the book of the Western Swing Society.
