Grammy-winning musician Mike Farris, a former Bearsville resident and guitarist for the 1990s band the Screamin’ Cheetah Wheelies, has long had an edgy relationship with the holiday season.
“For pretty much my whole life, I had a hard time with the holidays,” said Farris, who now lives in Tennessee. “It was a struggle for me and, from what I hear, it’s not uncommon. It was a problem.”
Farris is right. A survey by Healthline, cited by Harvard Medical School, showed that 62 percent of respondents described their stress level as “very or somewhat” elevated during the season, compared with just 10 percent who had none. Top causes were financial demands, family relationships and maintaining healthy habits such as an exercise regime.
The musician found salvation through “Mike Farris—The Soul of Christmas,” a Memphis soul twist on classic holiday songs with a bit of a Latin feel. The 13th edition of the 12-piece band, including a three-piece horn section, takes the stage at Saugerties High School on Nov. 29.
“I just had this desire to put this show together, because once I put the show together, and we started doing it, it just flipped everything on its head,” Farris said. These days, the holidays are “something I look forward to, literally, all year long.”
This year’s show is presented by Hope Rocks, a Saugerties nonprofit that offers support and guidance to those suffering from addiction and mental health challenges, and the Sawyer Automotive Foundation. Farris, who has struggled with addiction, is a board member at Hope Rocks, which also works to raise awareness and provide support related to suicide prevention.
A portion of ticket sales will benefit the Hudson Valley National Center for Veteran Reintegration in Saugerties and the Saugerties High School-Kiwanis Key Club Backpack Program, which provides backpacks with weekend meals and snacks to schoolchildren experiencing food insecurity.
Farris signed on with Hope Rocks after President Joe Defino of Saugerties reached out with a cold call upon reading an article in Rolling Stone magazine about him, his struggles with addiction and his work toward recovery.
“He’s been an extraordinary ambassador ever since,” Defino said.
Farris said he can’t wait to strengthen his Hudson Valley bonds with a Saugerties gig that he began developing this summer.
“I start getting the itch for it,” he said. “I listen to Christmas songs in July. I know, it sounds a little crazy. But I love the spirit of it. I love the energy of it. I love the family aspect of it. It really is the most wonderful time of the year.”
“Mike Farris—The Soul of Christmas” is set for Nov. 29 at Saugerties High School, 310 Washington Avenue Ext., Saugerties. Doors open at 5 p.m. Show time is 6 p.m.
General admission tickets cost $27; preferred seating tickets cost $52. Visit their website for information and to purchase tickets. Tickets can also be purchased at Sawyer Motors, 166 Ulster Ave., Saugerties.