At this point, it’s impossible to ignore it: The Red Clay Strays are officially one of the hottest bands in the world.
Between frontman Brandon Coleman and his jaw-dropping vocals, the band’s seamless fusion of country, gospel, roots, and Southern rock, and the undeniable musicianship of all six members, it always felt like a breakout was inevitable. Now, that moment has arrived—and it’s happening fast.
Anyone who’s followed the alternative country scene over the last few years already knows the résumé is stacked. The Alabama group has racked up some massive milestones, including Emerging Artist of the Year at the 2024 Americana Awards, New Vocal Duo or Group at the 2025 ACM Awards, a 3x Platinum certification from the RIAA for their breakout hit Wondering Why, and a Gold certification for their debut album Moment of Truth.
But last month felt like the moment everything locked into place.
At the 59th annual CMA Awards, The Red Clay Strays delivered a show-stopping performance of their current single People Hatin’, then stunned the room by knocking Old Dominion off the throne to claim their first-ever CMA Award for Vocal Group of the Year.
That win cemented what fans already knew: Red Clay isn’t just riding a wave—they’re becoming permanent fixtures in both the alt-country world and the mainstream.
With a massive 2025 behind them, a new album slated for summer, and major headlining shows at iconic venues like Madison Square Garden and Bridgestone Arena, superstardom feels less like a possibility and more like the next step.
And just before the year wrapped up, Brandon Coleman decided to give fans one final gift.
A Christmas one.
On Sunday morning, The Red Clay Strays shared a surprise acoustic performance of the centuries-old hymn Silent Night, recorded simply from Coleman’s living room. Posted to the band’s Instagram, the video exploded almost instantly—pulling in more than 900,000 views, over 63,000 likes, and thousands of comments and reposts in less than a day.
Coleman’s voice—already considered among the best pure vocal instruments in the genre—was front and center. With the glow of his family’s Christmas tree behind him, he delivered a stripped-down, soul-stirring rendition that felt timeless, reverent, and quietly powerful. There was even a hint of Elvis in the phrasing, adding to the magic.
It’s the kind of video that stops your scroll cold. And judging by the reaction, fans felt it too.
Comment after comment praised the performance—and many went a step further, begging for an entire Christmas release:
“We need a Christmas album.”
“Drop a Christmas album. I don’t care if it’s June.”
“Please release this on streaming.”
“Chills. Absolute chills.”
“This is what Christmas is supposed to feel like.”
Hard to argue with any of that.
Following recent holiday moments from artists like Shane Smith & the Saints and Lainey Wilson, The Red Clay Strays now officially join the growing list of alt-country acts who’ve proven they can absolutely own a Christmas classic.
If this surprise performance is any indication, Brandon Coleman—and the Red Clay Strays as a whole—might just be the next band fans are lining up to hear every December.
And honestly?
We need it. 🎄🔥
