A Breakout Year for Christopher Wyze & the Tellers

Christopher Wyze & The Tellers Prove the Blues Are Thriving, Not Fading

In a music landscape often dominated by fleeting trends and digital gimmicks, Christopher Wyze & the Tellers are doing something refreshingly different: earning their success the old-fashioned way. Through relentless touring, authentic songwriting, and a deep respect for the roots of the blues, the band has quietly put together one of the most impressive years in contemporary blues music.

That work paid off in a big way in 2025, as Christopher Wyze & the Tellers became the only artist to place two albums in the Top 100 of the Roots Music Report’s Top Blues Albums of the Year. It’s a rare achievement that underscores not only consistency, but staying power — something every artist chases and few ever reach.

A Breakout Year Fueled by Authenticity

Rather than chasing radio formulas or polishing away the rough edges that define great blues music, Christopher Wyze & the Tellers leaned into what makes them distinct. Their sound is gritty but accessible, steeped in traditional blues while borrowing the narrative depth of Americana. It’s music that sounds lived-in — songs that feel like chapters pulled from real life instead of studio experiments.

That authenticity resonated far beyond regional audiences. Over the past year, the band found itself featured in a wide range of outlets, from Living Blues and Blues in Britain to Americana Highways, The Hollywood Times, WISH-TV Indianapolis, and Nashville’s Local On 2. The coverage wasn’t confined to blues insiders either, signaling broader crossover appeal and growing national awareness.

Live in Clarksdale Captures the Heart of the Delta

One of the year’s biggest highlights came with the release of Live in Clarksdale, an album that does exactly what its title promises. Recorded in one of the most sacred cities in blues history, the project captures the raw energy of the band in its natural habitat — unfiltered, unvarnished, and fully alive.

That honesty struck a chord with listeners and DJs alike. The album landed at #28 on the Roots Music Report Top Blues Albums Chart and #17 on the Top Contemporary Blues Albums Chart, impressive placements for a live recording in a genre where studio perfection often dominates.

Rather than smoothing out imperfections, Live in Clarksdale embraces them, offering listeners the feeling of standing in the room as the music unfolds. It’s a reminder that blues music, at its core, is meant to be felt as much as heard.

A Debut That Refuses to Fade Into the Background

While Live in Clarksdale showcased the band’s live power, their debut album Stuck in the Mud proved that their studio work has just as much grit. Released in 2024, the album continued its momentum into 2025, landing at #93 on the Top Blues Albums Chart and #46 on the Top Contemporary Blues Albums Chart — an impressive feat for a debut that’s already more than a year old.

The album’s staying power speaks volumes. Thirteen tracks of hard-earned storytelling, Stuck in the Mud doesn’t rely on nostalgia alone. Instead, it blends traditional blues structures with modern themes, offering something familiar without feeling recycled.

That balance earned the band the 2025 Blues Blast Music Award for Best New Artist Debut Album, placing them alongside legends like Tab Benoit, Derek Trucks, Charlie Musselwhite, Shemekia Copeland, Bobby Rush, and Keb’ Mo’. For a newer act, it was a clear signal that they belong in serious blues conversations.

Songs That Travel Far Beyond the Album

The success wasn’t limited to full-length releases. Several individual tracks climbed the Roots Music Report Top Blues Song Chart, including “Back to Clarksdale” (#38), “Three Hours From Memphis” (#60), and “Stuck in the Mud (Live)” (#83).

These songs reflect what listeners seem to connect with most — a sense of place, movement, and reflection. They feel like road songs without being cliché, rooted in geography but universal in emotion.

Looking Ahead Without Losing the Roots

Even as accolades pile up, Christopher Wyze & the Tellers show no signs of drifting away from what got them here. Their growing recognition — including a recent appearance presenting at the 2025 Josie Music Awards — hasn’t dulled the raw edge that defines their music.

If anything, their success offers proof that the blues isn’t fading — it’s evolving. And bands like Christopher Wyze & the Tellers are helping lead that evolution by honoring tradition while telling stories that still matter today.