Strictly For Kicks Bios

Harry "The Baum" Gardner – Harry is veteran drummer who has played with the likes of Rolling Stones all-time great guitarist #40 Eddy Hazel from the "P. Funkadelics”, Terry Goral from "Heir Apparent", Fats Johnson from the "New Christy Minstrels" fame, Cash McCall from the "Drifters", and Mearle Bregante and Larry Sims from the "Loggins & Messina Band".  He has had some great moments in his musical career, but his enthusiasm has never been higher than now with his new band mates in Strictly For Kicks.  Along the road, Harry has met and been influence by drummer greats Ron Bushy, Michael Deroiser, Denny Carmassi, Ceasar Zuiderwijk, Chester Thompson, and Mr. Billy Cobham. Although Harry Baumgardner is not yet a household name for drummers, he has graced the cover of "Westword" in Denver with band "Wanker",  and "The Auburn Journal” and the “Colfax Record” in California.

Jason Haxton – A guitar addict since he got his first electric guitar at age 16, Jason has played both lead and rhythm guitar in club bands through his late teens and twenties. When the band Strictly For Kicks formed, Jason found a new love, the bass guitar. Playing finger, pick, and slap styles, Jason loves to strap on his wireless system and join the crowd in tearing up the dance floor. Watching Jason’s body language and huge smiles as he revels in the delight of the performance is undeniably infectious. On the back end, Jason grinds away the nights mixing and mastering Strictly For Kicks' best new tunes for their next CD.

Clark Bishop – Born and raised in the south, his first performance was at the age of four when he sang Away in a Manger for the Christmas program. Clark was instantly hooked. He began singing solos in church and eventually branched out to sing the other types of music he loved. Influenced by Gospel, Soul, and Rock ‘n’ Roll, Clark blends them all together to create a style that is rich, warm, powerful, moving, and true to his soul. A confident and fun front man, Clark has the time of his life in every energetic performance and takes everyone along for the ride.

Dirk Van Stralen – Inspired to take up guitar by his mother’s love of music and talent for the clarinet, Dirk first found a guitar in his hands at age ten. He teethed his technique on classical guitar, and then became a passionate follower of rock guitar pioneer Eddie Van Halen. Dirk was so devoted to his studies of guitar that his high school girlfriends referred to his guitar as his wife. Since those early days, he has played lead guitar in a number of Northern California bands. During Dirk's time with Strictly For Kicks, his love for his instrument and the music has blossomed as he has become a devout student of the techniques and musical feels of Kenny Wayne Shepherd and legendary guitarists Stevie Ray Vaughn and Eric Clapton. Through his varied influences, Dirk has created a compelling and emotional style all his own.

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