Denny Strickland pairs the anthemic arena country of Jason Aldean with a respect for classic songcraft and an affection for the mellow vibes of the West Coast. All of this can be heard on his 2017 debut, California Dreamin', which also bore hints of modern electronics. Raised in Jonesboro, Arkansas, Strickland belonged to a family who showed horses. He began riding as a child, eventually earning the title of an American Quarter Horse champion, but he also started playing music and writing his own songs. Strickland happened to meet Marshall Grant -- best known as a sideman for Johnny Cash, but he also was a manager for the Statler Brothers -- in Tunica, Mississippi while riding on the horse circuit. After hearing a demo, Grant took him under his wing. Over the following years, the aspiring singer/songwriter made industry connections, and following Grant's death in 2011, Strickland decided to pursue a country career in Nashville. In 2014, Strickland released his first single, the sultry minor-key "Swerve On." "How Far You Wanna Go" followed in 2015 and "Get a Grip" in 2016. Strickland hired Big & Rich producer Sean Giovanni to produce his full-length debut, California Dreamin', which appeared in August 2017. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine