Bill Caisse - The Voice Behind the DQ Jingle

I am, admittedly, absolutely biased, but I love the music scene in San Antonio. I believe it rivals any other city in our country. Austin may arguably be considered the “Music Capitol of the World,” but I don’t think that just because they host a popular music television show or SXSW that the musicians are any better.

The Alamo City is multicultural, embracing all genres of music. From blues, Tejano, jazz, metal, and mariachis – you can find it all here! Hector Saldana and his group The Krayolas have had their hit songs played internationally, as well as Augie Meyers, Pat Green, Christopher Cross, Flaco Jimenez, Doug Sahm, and Emilio Navaira, to name but a few. Most musicians, however, do not skyrocket to fame. They are the ones playing local clubs and festivals, recording songs for themselves and their small followings. Some are looking to “make it big” and others are just happy to play live and keep their creative juices flowing.

Wayne Harper, Randy Garibay, and Stan Wayne ruled our stages for years with their variety bands, whereas groups like Girls in a Coma, Ruben V, and The Unknown Soldiers play their original stylings. There are too many players to mention here, but they have left their indelible mark in the musical world.

One of our local players continuing to leave his mark is vocalist, guitarist, and songwriter Bill Caisse. Born originally in Massachusetts to a military family, he arrived in San Antonio at the age of ten. A few years after, his father was transferred to England. It was in England that he joined his first band, playing the bass.

A few years later, he arrived back in San Antonio to finish high school at Holmes High School. His best friend was the talented Ernie Kreth. “Ernie played much better bass than I did,” Bill concedes. “So, I started playing the guitar instead.”

Although they were still in school at the time, legendary local country talent Bobby Baker gave them their start playing with his band. Sneaking into the house late at night without waking up their parents is a teenager’s rite of passage – and the young artist was no different. Excited making his first $100 in one night, he clearly remembers bragging to his father who promptly took it for “rent.” His first lesson in finances!

He soon moved to perform with other popular dance bands, such as Mellow Magic and La Franz. He also played with Tejano star Patsy Torres for several years. Eventually, the American Peddlers knocked on his door and he played with them for many years until singer Aaron Barker had some songwriting success and the group became his backup band. They toured with George Strait for a little while when Bill decided to make the move to Nashville.

Being just one of many in the legendary music town, he took a day job at Office Max where he met “many famous musicians [who] all got their cards and things printed there.” Soon thereafter, the stars aligned and he started working as a pit musician for the now-defunct television show Nashville Now.

His stylings caught the ear of star Eddie Rabbitt, who immediately hired him for his band in which he played until the star’s passing. “It was thebest job I ever had,” said Caisse. “He treated his people very, very well and was such a nice person, too. He paid everyone the same and split the money, after his expenses, equally, whether they were selling t-shirts or playing in the band. He figured he got millions off of his royalties so gave the touring money to his people.”

Bill Caisse - 1976

Fortunately, once you have played for someone of Rabbitt’s caliber, other artists follow. Caisse kept busy working for many of them, “some good and some bad” in his words. The stroke of his father brought him back to San Antonio in 2000 to take care of his family. He also raised his three kids as a single father.

Always continuing his musical career, he spent 20 years playing with the popular dance band The Klocks at night and worked for a sound and lighting company during the week. He turned down several opportunities to play with national stars due to the punitive contractual requirements and heavy touring schedules.

He now plays as a solo act, and also has two other bands, Soul Twang and R.A.W. Soul Twang consists of keyboardist Doug Johnson and drummer Michael Baez. R.A.W. features Roy Paniagua on bass and vocals and Alan Bush on drums. All three of his ventures vary in genre and feature many of his original songs.

Groove Doctors

Bill has been writing songs since he was in high school. He sold one of his songs, “That’s What I Like About Texas,” to an advertising agency several decades ago. Today, you know this song from the Dairy Queen commercial. He’s been recording for a long time and still does so today.(Author’s Note: For full disclosure, I recorded his song “Tell Me a Lie” that plays on iHeart. We recorded it in my living room!) An active member of the San Antonio Songwriters’ Saloon, he keeps his skills up by writing a few songs a week. He has had tunes recorded by artists such as the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band and Jonny Lang.

So, what is next for the versatile musician? “I’m going to retire soon,” he confides. I just laughed, and he laughed with me, because there are no signs of slowing. Along with gigging five times a week, Bill is currently working on recording an album for artist Robert Demel and another jingle for a coffee shop chain. He has musicians, including myself, forming a line to work with him. Retirement? I think not. Talented artists like Bill Caisse? Now, THAT’S what I like about Texas! ■