Danny & the Dreamers: the resonance of San Antonio’s West Side musical legacy
A hallmark group of the 60's San Antonio music soul scene led by a 13-year-old guitar prodigy.
Born Daniel Ramos Escobedo in 1950, Danny's journey in music commenced at the tender age of ten with a Sears Roy Rogers guitar that his father gifted him. Dan’s father, Master Sergeant Guadalupe Salomon Escobedo, always supported Dan’s interests. The gift was a humble beginning that blossomed into a lifelong pursuit for Danny, but his evolution as a musician was marked by his transition to a silver-tone guitar (notable for its built-in amp). Danny attended several schools due including Horace Mann Middle School and Holy Cross, a private catholic school, but it wasn’t until he attended Irving Middle School on the west side of San Antonio that he started Danny & the Dreamers at the tender age of 13.
In 1964, Danny & the Dreamers' musical prowess was affirmed when they won the Battle of the Bands at the Joe Freeman Coliseum in their age division, an annual event still held in San Antonio today. This achievement led them to open for the Rolling Stones in June of 1964. Around this time, Danny started showcasing his talent as a songwriter, and by 1965, Danny's father founded and funded the Dreamer label for the boys to record. The Dreamer label made its foray into the music scene with a rendition of the Sunglows’ "O Heart," a song originally composed by Sunny Ozuna and Manny Guerra. The B-side, complemented this with another cover, this time with “I’ve Just Got To Forget You,” made famous by Tennessee's Bobby "Blue" Bland. This pairing of songs not only showcased the young band's musical influences but also their ambition to align with the tastes of their community, bridging generational music preferences while introducing their youthful energy.
Both recordings featured Jimmy Treviño —later to gain fame as Lil’ Jimmy Edward. It was through the band's first vocalist, Gilbert Hernandez, who introduced Danny to Jimmy Treivño, a meeting that proved fortuitous and catalyzed their budding careers. Their subsequent release, a double-sided single, signaled a crucial turning point for the band. Featuring "Baby, Something's Wrong" on the A-side and "(I Couldn't) Come Back To You" on the B-side, this record was the first to showcase Danny's emerging talents as a songwriter. "Baby, Something's Wrong" demonstrated Danny's knack for creating resonant and moving lyrics, revealing a musical sophistication that belied his young age. Although he showed considerable promise, Danny was not yet prepared to take on the role of lead vocalist. This release not only highlighted his evolving musical capabilities but also marked the beginning of a new creative chapter for the band.
As the band's popularity surged, internal dynamics began to shift, leading to a pivotal moment between Jimmy and Danny. A disagreement over compensation arose, a not uncommon challenge in the evolution of musical groups. However, both members approached the situation with maturity, opting to part ways amicably. This resolution opened a new chapter for the band and the Dreamer label. The label's third release featured two original tracks: "Eternal Love" b/w "Hey Little Girl." The A-side, "Eternal Love," drew inspiration from the ethereal tones of Santo & Johnny's "Sleepwalk," weaving a similar dreamlike quality into its melody. The B-side, "Hey Little Girl" marked a significant milestone for Danny as he took the lead vocals for the first time. This track showcased not just his evolving songwriting prowess but also his vocal ability, signaling his readiness to step into a more prominent role within the band.
As Danny assumed a more prominent role, the band caught the interest of seasoned label honcho Huey P. Meaux, also known as the Crazy Cajun, who owned and operated the Teardrop label. Their interest led to a partnership with the Teardrop label, which produced the Dreamers' fourth single. This record featured renditions of the Four Tops' "Ask The Lonely" and Curtis Mayfield's "Think Nothing About It," with Danny showcasing a more mature vocal prowess—exhibiting a refined control and enhanced vocal ability that marked a significant artistic development.
In 1968, the band shifted away from their soulful sound to a more regional one and recorded over at Epstein Enterprises—a studio owned by Abie Epstein. The band recorded a fifth single, “Nada Contigo” b/w “Un Mal Entendimiento” on Epstein’s Cobra label for his yellow label Spanish series. This recording demonstrated the diversity of the band and their ability to pivot quickly to cater to towards the local audience.
In the swirling years that followed, the Dreamers melded into the vibrant scene of Jimmy Edward's Spanish group, recording under the wing of Sunny Ozuna and Johnny Zaragosa on their Key-loc label. Meanwhile, Danny found himself back on the familiar turf of Monterrey St, where an unexpected meeting with Bobby Fraga, amidst the mundane chore of lawn mowing, steered his career back into an exciting new path. Bobby, along with a carload of Royal Jesters, spotted Danny and spontaneously offered him a spot as their bassist. Despite his lack of experience with the instrument, Danny’s adventurous spirit led him to bunk with Bobby, learning the bass and mastering the Jesters' repertoire in no time. His efforts bore fruit as he recorded "Chévere" on the Jesters' Optimum label. A record that featured all English soul tracks, including a handful of covers
As the 70s grooved on, Danny dove deeper into the eclectic sounds of the era with Trinity, a rock ensemble with a twist of the avant-garde that featured keyboardist Richard Hall and drummer Speedy Flores. In 1975, under the sage guidance of producer Foy Lee, Trinity released their debut album, “Trinity-I,” on the Teardrop label. This album was a kaleidoscope, blending rock foundations with the cosmic swirls of funk drenched with psychedelic synths. Richard Hall and Danny were the architects behind this musical odyssey, co-writing and crafting all the tracks.
Today, Danny's music legacy continues to thrive in and around San Antonio. His records are traded among collectors for hundreds, sometimes thousands, of dollars for the original. Danny continues to perform in a variety of venues, cantinas, and even retirement homes, cherishing his continued appreciation for his music and finding ways to give back to something he holds so dearly. In 2023, Danny told the SA Report, "I've been very blessed; music has treated me well." Purchase a copy of Danny & the Dreamers’ “Baby, Something’s Wrong” b/w “(I Couldn’t) Come Back To You” HERE.
Amazing article!!