Gary Robert Strickland
Several years ago, I had a student come up to my desk and tell me, “My brother is playing guitar at the event in Jenks. He said you should come see him.”
His older brother is Gary Strickland. I had Gary as a junior high student at Sapulpa Junior High.
I am always up to see former students, and the fact that he was playing music at a stage there was even more reason to go.
So, that Saturday, I drove to the Jenks Main Street festival and walked to the stage area. I got there just in time to see Gary play.
The first song I heard him play was ‘in The Beginning” by Emerson, Lake and Palmer. It was impressive. I sat and listened to his set and spoke to him after the set was over. I enjoyed the set and his play.
Gary didn’t stop there. He played in clubs and began recording his original songs. I have been able to see him play a couple other times and sadly missed a couple other opportunities.
He has been a busy guy. Not only does he have a day time job teaching in St Louis, but has been pretty prolific writing and recording.
Just yesterday (Oct. 6, 2026), I listened to his newest album on Spotify. It’s called “Breaking Down in Stereo.” It’s a great album. In fact, it’s my favorite of his albums so far. I believe he has something like eight albums of music available on Spotify, and I imagine on other services as well.
Gary is a great guy who makes good music! I really hope he can play the “Tunes at Noon” at THe Church Studio in Tulsa. That would be perfect.
Rock on Gary!
