ABOUT
Double Nickel Band is a musical group with deep roots in the four-part vocal harmonies of the southern California country rock scene of the 1970’s. Drawing from the lush sounds of the Eagles and Crosby, Stills and Nash, on through to the rock harmonies of the Beatles and Fleetwood Mac; Double Nickel brings four-part vocals to life with their own unique sound and energy. From the country tinged music of Brooks and Dunn to the Texas stylings of Nancy Griffith, and the bluegrass offerings of Alison Krauss, the Double Nickel band presents solid harmony vocals on country, rock, and rhythm & blues favorites, as well as original musical offerings in these genres.
MEET THE BAND
Mark Strickland – Vocals, Rhythm Guitar
Mark began his musical journey playing the drums in a Blues band called the “Blues Farm” in high school and college. Along the way he picked up the guitar and began playing coffee houses and local gigs as a solo singer songwriter, heavily influenced by the likes of the Eagles, James Taylor, EmmyLou Harris, Linda Ronstadt, and the entire country music scene from Nashville to Austin. He also has always had a very eclectic love of well written songs from the early rock and roll sounds of Buddy Holly, Sam Cooke, Motown, Ray Charles, as well as country rock groups like the Byrd’s and Buffalo Springfield.
Nate Haase – Lead Guitar, Vocals
Nate’s musical ventures include recording studio time, such as performing child vocals on the Woodsy Owl anthem, “Give a Hoot, Don’t Pollute”, and as a vocal soloist on Sing Out Foothill’s first album (a branch of the 1960’s “Up With People” movement). His interest in guitar led to spots in musical theater orchestras, where he was also introduced to banjo and mandolin. While studying at Occidental College, he received a grant to co-write and record the rock opera “All We Want.” After college, he was a full-time member of the acclaimed Southern California bluegrass band, “Smokewood”, playing guitar/banjo/vocals on their first two albums. Nate’s influences include the Beatles, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Peter Paul and Mary, Paul Simon, James Taylor, and Crosby Stills and Nash.
Sandy Haase – Vocals
Sandy grew up hearing her mom play piano and organ (sometimes before the sun was even up). She took piano lessons for a few years along with her sister. Early on, she would sing along to her older siblings’ music albums. The Beatles, the Beach Boys, Carole King, Karen Carpenter, James Taylor, John Denver, Simon and Garfunkel, The Andrews Sisters are all among her early favorites. The school chorus and some musical theater brought more energy to the desire to keep singing. At times, she’d pull out her parents’ albums and got to know Frank Sinatra, The Everly Brothers, Barbara Streisand, and others. For many years, singing took a back seat to other life projects, but the way opened up with Double Nickel and the opportunity to sing with her husband, Nate, and friends Mark and Allison.
Allison Abdelnour – Vocals, Mandolin, Guitar
Allison credits her love for music to her father who could often be found blasting the likes of Simon and Garfunkel, ABBA, Chuck Mangione, Linda Ronstadt, Dave Brubeck, Aretha Franklin and Willie Nelson throughout the rooms of her childhood home in Texas. As early as she can remember she wanted to learn how to play the guitar, purchasing her first at the age of 14. Since joining Double Nickel, she has begun to learn mandolin, deepening her enthusiasm for bluegrass. Her favorite part of being with the band is the experience of getting to know and appreciate more fully the songwriters and musicians and the tremendous songs that established the foundation of country and rock music as we know it today.