Band Members
Rob Porcaro
Vocals
Robert Porcaro: a name synonymous with the music industry. Rob is the lead male vocalist for The Casuals, and offers a versatile and powerful vocals style which brings out the best in every crowd. Coming from the east coast, Rob has been singing since he was nine years
old in a variety of venues. He has appeared on the same stages with the likes of: Buddy Miles, The Chambers Brothers, BTO, and Heart and Tower of Power. Since the early 70's Rob has performed with a variety of groups and today has the pleasure of being a member of the vocal power trio that "fronts" The Casuals.
Cristi Carlisle
Vocals
Do you appreciate vocal divas of the 70's, 80's and 90's? Then Cristi's vocal power will have you burning up the dance floor! Her warm personality and soulful soprano are the perfect complement to the band's mellow tones. Like Rob, Christi has been singing
throughout her life. One of her favorite memories is singing the great 60's soul music along with the other members of her very musical family. Christi has fronted a number of bands, including a very popular dance band, Cape Town, in South Africa. Crisiti is a one of a kind entertainer!
Karen VanderWeide
Vocals
The soulful voice of Karen VanderWeide may sound familiar to you. Each day, millions of people in the US and around the world hear her in the promotional ads of countless, Top-40 radio stations. She's also been a featured soloist in several television programs including
the Emmy Award winning: Spirit of Christmas. Musical opportunities have taken Karen VanderWeide throughout Europe and the US where she's performed live before nearly 250,000 people since the early 1990's. Her sultry voice lends the perfect compliment to The Casuals front trio of vocalists.
Mark Cardenas
Musical Director
Keyboards/Vocals
Mark is one of the most sought-after keyboard players in Seattle! With his years of experience, he "covers all the bases" in The Casuals with finesse and authenticity. Mark's history includes playing with The Time, recording on the Warner bros. platinum release Ice
Cream Castles, appearing in Prince's smash hit movie Purple Rain, and recording tracks on Janet Jackson's A&M triple platinum release Control. His collaborative cross-cultural project for A&M records, The Songcatchers, won national awards and critical acclaim as well as a WOMAD tour with Peter Gabriel in 1994 and The Neville Brothers national tour that same
year.
Rick Bakken
Band Leader
Guitars
Rick founded The Casuals in 1998. Rick got hooked on guitar when he was a little boy: the night the Beattles appeared on the Ed Sullivan Show and has been playing music ever since. Rick has developed The Casuals to be the consummate entertainment package. Former A&R
executive, with Vertical Records (Phoenix), he has managed numerous artists and genres and has surrounded himself with experienced professionals in every position in this band. A veteran of the music scene he has created a play list that incorporates the hits from 3 eras: the 70's, 80's and 90's; the "hits" that keep people dancing all night long!
Marty McGehee
Bass
Marty has spent most of his life as a musician. He started playing piano at an early age, and then mastered the bass in his early teens. Covering numerous musical styles, Marty is the man who puts the "bottom" in The Casuals. Deemed by many musicians around Seattle as
"the most prepared player in town", Marty captures the true essence of the dance material The Casuals perform. You are guaranteed to feel the beat with Marty on stage: he is a one of a kind bass player!
Jim Bill
Percussion/Vocals
Jim's passion for playing drums comes right from the heart. His grooves have been heard on TV specials, radio commercials, studio/CD projects, and live performances including: EMP, Bite Of Seattle, and The Puyallup Fair just to name a few. He has toured Europe, Japan, the
Philippines, and the East Coast but he calls Washington home. Drumming for over 30 years, his passion for playing is not only heard but felt. Jim's motto is: "Once the drums stop, the party's over!"
State-of-the-art sound and lighting
To orchestrate the technical side of the band we are fortunate to have John Austin, as our performance manager. A professional sound veteran for more than 20 years, John has worked for famous names such as: The Guess Who, BTO, Van Halen and Brian Adams! John's expertise and the band's use of state-of-the-art equipment means you get great sound at a comfortable volume level. The band is known for being totally professional with clients, event planners, agents and venue staff alike.
