Mark Doty (founder): Mark came from a musical family and has lived in Kansas most of his life. He had his first band at the age of 14 After his stint in the Navy, his uncle, who played all over KC, introduced him to many musicians. After a few years in California where he formed a family band with his mom and two brothers, he returned to the Kansas City area. He played with a couple more bands before forming his current band, 'Mark Doty and The Cause' about 14 years ago. He worked with many different members and started jams in various venues. He met Dave Swiercinsky, the bass player, 13+ years ago, who became a founding member of the band.
Dave Swiercinsky, (co-founder, aka The Candyman): Dave was originally from Western Kansas but has lived in the Overland Park area since 1975. In 1980, Dave followed in the footsteps of his older brother Tim, who had played in many local bands. Dave has been a well known bass player in the KC area for many years. Dave met Mark Doty at a jam while playing for The Groove Pilots 13+ years ago and joined The Cause at that time.
Robert F. Rodriguez was born and raised in Denver. He began playing drums at ten years old and began performing by the time he was eleven. Before turning eighteen, Robert had already toured most of North America with his brother in a heavy metal band. He would go on to open for bands like The Misfits, Black Dahlia Murder, Three Inches of Blood and various others. In college he learned and performed with jazz greats and toured on Celebrity Cruises. Today he performs with several jazz, rock and country bands. As of this year, he is ecstatic to be working with Mark Doty and The Cause, a veteran band of some of the best musicians in MO and KS.
Leonard Ladd: Leonard was born in KC and started playing piano at the young age of 8. He started playing professionally at age of 18. He has played in many bands in the KC area and has played across the United States from California to New York. He has also played all over Europe. He not only plays keyboard but has been a singer/songwriter for many years.
Ken Carey (aka The Dog): Although Ken has been a guitarist for 55+ years, he originally started out playing piano at the age of three. He took classical guitar lessons for 6 years. He also played banjo in Bluegrass, Country, and Gospel bands. He also plays bass guitar, organ, lap steel guitar, slide guitar and drums. He started playing piano in bands at the age of 13 then played guitar in several bands in Dallas, Texas before moving to the Kansas City area in 1982. He has played in many bands around Kansas City until joining Mark Doty and The Cause about 8+ years ago.
(BTW: We had an artist draw the lizards to look like each member!!)
