Who Is Gary Strickland

Georgia born and bred, Gary Strickland’s musical and performing experience is a varied as the number of instruments he brings to the stage. An accomplished actor and professional clown, while he was the director at the historic Savannah Theatre, Gary held the coveted title of Ronald McDonald in the Southeast in the mid-eighties. During this time he was a prominent jazz musician on the local Savannah music scene playing with local icons such as Teddy Adams, Chris Chandler, Joe Jones and the late Ben Tucker. During this time it would not have been a surprise to catch Gary narrating the Young People's Guide to the Orchestra or Peter and the Wolf with The Savannah Symphony Orchestra. Gary has written an impressive collection of musicals and performances for a family audience as well as self published several children's books over the years. 

He spent the next decade in Atlanta working with local blues and jazz musicians; touring as far as Lugano Switzerland with the Atlanta based band Mudcat and sharing the stage with music legends such as Frank Edwards, Buddy Guy and others. He was also the front man of the Decatur based band Jungle Jim and the Swingsets. Studio sessions included blues, jazz and even alternative rock with The Indigo Girls.  Along with the music, he taught theatre and comedy improv through The Alliance Theatre Company as well as performing children's theatre at The Punch Line and Comic Cafe comedy clubs and working with the Comedy Improv group Laughing Matters.

The 21st century saw the formation of The Fisheyed Fools, a Contemporary Christian band playing youth/family events and concerts throughout the Southeast along with artists like Jesse Manibusan, Matt Maher, Steve Angrisano and Chris Muglia. Gary has traveled as far as Ihiagwa, Nigeria to Seattle, Washington and points in-between.

Most recently he has been performing for American Cruise Lines and other venues as a one-man-band throughout the greater Savannah, GA area accompanying himself with Flugelhorn, Trumpet, Slide Trumpet, Vocals, Harmonica, Piano, Flute, Pennywhistle, Guitar, Washboard (yes, washboard) and other instruments as the mood strikes! Whether with a full band, solo, or solo with a few friends dropping by, Gary's performances are always entertaining, family friendly and full of Southern charm.