The Red Clay Strays cut their musical teeth in the bars and on the stages of local festivals across the Gulf Coast. Last night, they graced national airwaves.

The Red Clay Strays performed on "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon" Thursday, May 23.

The American country rock band calls Mobile home, but the Red Clay Strays are currently on tour. This weekend they will be performing at the Boston Calling Festival 2024 in Allston, Massachusetts, before heading to Gillette Stadium May 30 where they will open for The Rolling Stones. Later this summer they, will head overseas for their first European tour.

The band got its start in 2016 with five members: Brandon Coleman, lead vocalist and guitarist; Drew Nix, electric guitar, vocals and harmonica; Zach Rishel, electric guitar; Andrew Bishop, bass; and John Hall, drums. They recently added a sixth member, Sevans Henderson on the keyboard.

Locals will remember them getting their start in small, music-loving venues like Big Beach Brewing in Gulf Shores in 2018 and Cedar Street Social Club in Mobile in 2019, among many others across Baldwin County.

Best known for their 2022 single "Wondering Why," which went viral in 2023 on TikTok and spurred them into an exponentially upward trajectory, the band recently released a new single, "Wanna Be Loved," May 22. Their new, second studio album, "Made By These Moments," will be released July 26.

Led vocalist Coleman and bassist Bishop were recently on the Theo Von podcast and spoke on everything from their history and touring to their upcoming album. "Made By These Moments" was produced by Dave Cobb, who has produced albums for Chris Stapleton, Brandi Carlile, John Prine and Jason Isbell to name a few.

"I can't wait for people to hear it because it's just a lot better of an album than the first album as far as production goes because we recorded it with Dave Cobb," Bishop said. "It was always a goal of ours to work with Dave since we first started."

On Thursday night, the Red Clay Strays made their television debut on "The Tonight Show." They brought their unique blend of classic country, rockabilly and gospel-fed soul that makes up a new era of rock-and-roll.

The band had a great audience for their first television performance. It was Fleet Week in New York City, so Fallon's audience was full of service members from every branch of the military, even the Space Force.

The band performed their new single, "Wanna Be Loved." The audience responded with much enthusiasm and the band members appeared to be at home on Fallon's stage. Next up: open for The Rolling Stones.