Wreckless Strangers Holiday Show at Lucca

Riding high from their recent performance at Hardly Strictly Bluegrass, Ameri-Cali Soul band Wreckless Strangers are kicking off the holiday season with their first Christmas song, “Christmas Tears,” arriving November 6. The band will debut the single live, alongside its signature blend of originals and crowd-pleasing covers, at Rancho Nicasio on Friday, November 20, followed by a show at Lucca Bar & Grill in Benicia on Saturday, December 19.

The two performances bring Wreckless Strangers’ soulful, roots-driven rock to two special corners of the Bay Area. On November 20, the band takes the stage at Rancho Nicasio, the historic West Marin roadhouse known for live music, dinner shows, and its laid-back country setting. On December 19, they perform at Lucca Bar & Grill in Benicia, a waterfront town with a welcoming small-town feel and a lively dining and music scene.

All ages; $5 cover for guests 21+ during shows

Originally released by Sonny Thompson and Robert Wilson and made famous by blues legend Freddie King, “Christmas Tears” takes on new life through Wreckless Strangers’ soul-driven arrangement, old-school piano, and emotionally charged vocals.

Recorded at the legendary FAME Recording Studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama, the single offers a different perspective on the season. Rather than focusing on the usual joy and nostalgia, the band leans into a more melancholy side of the holidays, with lead vocalist Amber Morris delivering a standout performance that balances technical precision with the song’s raw emotion.

The idea for the band’s first Christmas release had been circulating for years. In April, while visiting Tennessee, the band found a break between shows in Nashville and Knoxville and seized the opportunity to record at FAME Studios with producer David Kalmusky, whose credits include Keith Urban, Carrie Underwood, Justin Bieber, and Journey. It was Amber who suggested “Christmas Tears,” an unconventional choice that proved to be the perfect fit.

“Christmas Tears” will be available on all streaming platforms November 6. Pre-save the single here. Private listening link here.