The Rick Cavender Band

Rick Cavender is known to many as the voice and personality behind the Cavender Auto Family of dealerships. True, he works his day job in this profession and he has developed a solid reputation as a successful businessman and a caring community leader. In fact, he has been the recipient of the San Antonio Business Journal’s “40 Under 40” award and the Jaycee’s “Outstanding Young San Antonian.” He served as president of the largest Rotary Club in the world and has led efforts to build playgrounds at local elementary schools. He is a respected leader in the United Way and he is a nationally recognized sales and service leader within the Saturn Corporation.

But when the lights are turned off in his showrooms, the stage lights come up on his stage. And he entertains! For over twenty years, The Rick Cavender Band has livened up many a party on the local, national and world scene.

They have provided memorable entertainment for the largest conventions to ever visit the city. They have opened and performed with the hottest stars in the music scene such as George Strait, Alabama, Tanya Tucker, Alan Jackson, Willie Nelson, and Hall and Oates. In the summer of 2000, Rick was asked by the San Antonio Convention and Visitors Bureau to entertain the Rotary International Convention in Buenos Aires, Argentina. He previewed San Antonio as the 2001 site with a rousing “Texas Medley” of songs that brought the crowd of 10,000 to its feet. Then in 2001he returned performing a Texas medley opening for Glen Campbell (pictured left) to 25,000 Rotarians in San Antonio.

High recognition and interest in Rick’s group is easy to understand: It’s his music. He delivers a great show with great sound, lighting and musicianship. He is an enthusiastic entertainer who can perform a variety of songs from Roy Orbison to George Strait, from Van Morrison to the Rolling Stones, from the Eagles to the Beatles, from Clint Black to Creedence. His selection covers over 200 songs and is completely unpredictable. In fact, it would not be unnatural for Rick to perform Tammy Wynette’s “Stand by Your Man” and follow it with John Cougar Mellencamp's "Hurt So Good"!”

Rick’s group is best known for the memorable entertainment they provided for local charitable galas, conventions and weddings. Events such as the Witte Game Dinner, the Respite Care 500 Gala, the American Heart Association Gala, The Texas Twilight Gala to support Cystic Fibrosis, the Mission Road Grand Western Shindig, the Texas Wildlife Association, the San Antonio Sports Hall of Fame Gala, The Charity Ball of San Antonio and the Texas Folklife Festival all have called on Rick and the band to perform.

(Left) Rick sings his tribute to the United Way of San Antonio with his original song “Doing What Matters Most”. The song was selected as the official song and slogan for the 2005-2006 Bexar County United Way Campaign. Rick also appeared as host on the campaign video and TV commercials.

This is a group of very talented musicians who can conform to their audience. Perfect for “the Texas Connection,” they can give a full tour of contemporary country artists such as George Strait, Brad Paisley, Alan Jackson, Garth Brooks, Brooks & Dunn, the Mavericks, Lone Star and Tim McGraw. Or they can win a crowd with traditional selections from Ray Price, Bob Wills, Marty Robbins or Asleep at the Wheel. They can even bring the San Antonio Cumbia and Tejano selections to life.

But the Rick Cavender Band may be best known for what they can do with the Vintage Rock ‘n Roll of the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s. With blending harmonies from five vocalists, the best in sound and lighting, the band ignites with a great dance song collection from artists such as the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, Van Morrison, the Righteous Brothers, Roy Orbison, Mitch Ryder, Jerry Lee Lewis, the Temptations, Wilson Pickett, the Hollies, Steppenwolf, Jerry and the Pacemakers, and the Eagles.

Watch Out, because Elvis is in the building! Rick is known as the ultimate “King of Rock ‘n Roll.” His annual “Tribute to Elvis Presley” show draws hundreds of people to Chuy’s each year on the King’s birthday. With a complete transformation, Rick becomes Elvis and performs this two-hour show for major conventions and corporate events.

In 2001, The Rick Cavender Band was nominated by the Greater San Antonio Hotel and Motel Association for outstanding performance : and won the coveted “Entertainer of the Year” Hospy Award. The annual Hospy Awards are held each year to recognize the very best in a variety of categories such as venue, entertainment, cuisine, and hotel services.

According to Steve Bennett, Assistant Features Editor of the San Antonio Express-News who writes in his article “Musically Geared,” Rick is the man who gets to live out his fantasy.” Well, the fantasy has led Rick and his talented six piece band to the top of San Antonio’s social calling.

Ron Huckaby leader of George Strait’s “Ace in the Hole Band” since 1983 joins the Rick Cavender Band now on keyboards.

Your event needs nothing more than one phone call and the Rick Cavender Band is set into motion. An Engagement Contract and Contract Rider will be sent to you, which will outline set-up and performance times, location, dress, staging, and power requirements. A state of the art PA and lighting system will give your event perfect coverage and appearance. Wireless microphones can be arranged for any special announcements, auctions or the guest performers.

The Rick Cavender Band is ready. Let’s make your event memorable. Reach Rick Cavender at 210-681-1551 or on mobile at 210-410-2000. Or reach Rick by e-mail at rick@rickcavenderband.com.