Wreckless Strangers Bring a Bluesy Soul to the Holidays with “Christmas Tears,” Recorded at FAME Studios

The San Francisco-based band’s first Christmas song arrives November 6, offering a soulful take on the holiday season.

San Francisco, CA | October 22, 2026… Riding high from their recent performance at Hardly Strictly Bluegrass, Ameri-Cali Soul band Wreckless Strangers are turning to the holiday season with the release of their first Christmas song, “Christmas Tears,” arriving November 6. Originally released by Sonny Thompson and Robert Wilson and made famous by the blues legend Freddie King, the song takes on a new life through the band's soul-driven arrangement, old-school piano, and emotionally charged vocals. 

Single Art created by Molly Tuttle

Recorded at the legendary FAME Recording Studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama, “Christmas Tears” brings a different perspective to the holiday season. While many songs celebrate the joy and nostalgia of the season, Wreckless Strangers lean into a sorrowful emotion, pairing a traditional piano sound with a vocal performance that puts the song’s lyrics and emotional weight front and center. Lead vocalist Amber Morris delivers a standout performance, balancing technical precision with the song’s raw emotion.

The band also highlights a bit of character in the song’s backing vocals: “Amber's vocal blues just hit right at the top; she really brings it. The backing vocals show up like her posse, coming to wag a finger at the errant lover.”

The idea for the band’s first Christmas release had been circulating for years, often surfacing in November, but that changed in April when the band visited Tennessee. Finding themselves with a break between shows in Nashville and Knoxville, they turned a free day into an opportunity to record at the iconic FAME Studios with producer David Kalmusky (Keither Urban, Carrie Underwood, Justin Bieber, Journey). Finally bringing the long-discussed holiday project to life, it was Morris’ recommendation to record “Christmas Tears,” a selection that’s more off-the-beaten-path. 

“Christmas can be a tough time of year,” the band shares. “Most of the songs are super positive, but this one's got a bit of a more melancholy edge to it. Plus it's a great song! We wanted to lock in on those elements.”

Mixed and mastered by Kalmusky at Addiction Studios in Nashville, “Christmas Tears” captures Wreckless Strangers’ ability to bring their signature blend of rock, soul, and roots to the song while allowing its emotional core to shine. Although the track is still blues, it is also a product of the era and their interests.

The single follows the band’s recent appearance at Hardly Strictly Bluegrass, where they performed music from their latest EP, Dirty Souls, and paid tribute to the late Dolly Parton with a rendition of “Baby I’m Burning.” With “Christmas Tears,” Wreckless Strangers bring the same musical versatility to the holiday season, offering a soulful alternative to the usual sounds of December. 

“Christmas Tears” will be available on all streaming platforms on November 6.

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About Wreckless Strangers:

Wreckless Strangers is a collective of friends and musicians carrying the torch for San Francisco’s grand rock ‘n’ roll tradition. Their unique blend of “Ameri-Cali Soul” melds the contemporary blues stylings of Bonnie Raitt and Boz Scaggs; the songwriting sensibilities of Sons of Champlin and Fleetwood Mac; the swashbuckling Americana of the Lost Planet Airmen and Peter Rowan; and the funk of Sly Stone and Tower of Power with a dash of Grateful Dead and Jefferson Airplane for flavor and unpredictability. With soaring vocal harmonies and burning instrumental improvisation framed in concise and poignant original songwriting, Wreckless Strangers seek to honor and carry forth the brand of free-spirited musical fun and adventure that defines the Bay Area. 

The band features Amber Morris on lead vocals; David Noble on lead guitar, lead vocals; Joshua Zucker on bass, vocals; Mick Hellman on drums, vocals; Rob Anderson on guitar, vocals; and Fletcher Nielsen on keys. Their EP, Dirty Souls, is their third project with 4x GRAMMY® award-winning engineer/producer Dave Way.