Lively Arts
Josh Strickland: Southern Comfort
By Deborah J. Draisin
Twenty-seven year old Southern boy Josh Strickland has been performing steadily since he was a preteen. He was a member of the Charleston Youth Company during middle and high schools. After graduating from the Charleston County School of the Arts, he studied voice with the esteemed Deanna McBroom at Charleston College. He came out to The Advocate earlier this year.
Although growing up gay down south may not seem quite as challenging as it did say, 30 years ago, what was Josh’s personal experience like? “Charleston is a more liberal place, but I grew up Southern Baptist; it’s looked down upon, that’s just people’s mentality. I remember thinking ‘Why do I feel this way, why am I like this?’” he admits.
In 2007, Strickland landed a 14-month gig as the lead in the Broadway play, Tarzan, which also led to a cameo appearance as himself in an episode of All My Children alongside Mary Poppins lead, Ashley Brown. After the show closed, he understudied for the roles of Mark and Roger during the national tour of Rent and starred as Will in the jazz musical, Play It Cool, in 2008. He then hit the road with The Broadway Boys with the likes of Danny Calvert and Michael Scott, to name just a few.
Openly gay Dave Koz has had music in his life for as long as he can remember. He took piano lessons as a toddler, then switched to drums in the fourth grade, but found no voice in either instrument. In middle school, as the only means of joining his brother newly formed band, Dave took up the saxophone and fell in love with it. Upon completion of his Bachelor’s at UCLA, Dave won a coveted spot in Bobby Caldwell’s band. The early notoriety paid off: next stop was a 14-month tour with renowned pop singer Richard Marx. 
