New Album Pays Tribute To Leroy Carr & Scrapper Blackwell
By Judy Shields
Big Radio Records artist Christopher Wyze & The Tellers return with their latest single, Naptown Blues, now out, which is also the title track from their forthcoming album, being released today, Friday, October 2. Originally recorded in 1929 by Indianapolis blues legends Leroy Carr and Scrapper Blackwell, the song sets the tone for the 11-track project, which pays tribute to the rich blues history of Indianapolis and the groundbreaking music of Carr and Blackwell. Their work helped establish Indianapolis as an influential force in the blues, and with Naptown Blues Wyze and The Tellers honor that legacy while bringing their own voice and perspective to the music that helped shape the city’s musical and cultural history.
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“We wanted to approach this project in a way that felt true to the music Leroy Carr and Scrapper Blackwell created,” says Wyze. “There are no drums or percussion on the album, and we relied heavily on acoustic instruments, including guitar, bass, and harmonica. Keeping the arrangements stripped down and centered around a single vocal allowed us to capture the intimacy and raw character of those early recordings while still giving the songs our own identity.”
Why This History Matters:
Naptown Blues highlights the significance of Leroy Carr and Scrapper Blackwell’s pioneering works. Their distinctive style defined the sound of Indianapolis blues, helping to establish the city as an important contributor to American blues music in the late 1920s and 1930s.
Their recordings brought a sophisticated, relaxed approach to the blues, blending Carr’s distinctive piano and vocals with Blackwell’s elegant guitar work to create a sound that influenced generations of blues, R&B, and rock musicians. Their 1928 recording of “How Long, How Long Blues” helped popularize the piano and guitar duo format, while recordings such as “Midnight Hour Blues,” “In the Evening” and “Hurry Down Sunshine” introduced their Indianapolis sound to audiences across the country. Blackwell’s “Kokomo Blues” also provided the foundation for Robert Johnson’s later classic “Sweet Home Chicago.” Together, Carr and Blackwell helped define an Indianapolis blues sound that would leave a lasting mark on American music, influencing artists from Robert Johnson and Ray Charles to Charles Brown and Eric Clapton.
For more information, visit christopherwyzeandthetellers.
Blues Album Discussion Overview
Christopher discussed the album featuring 11 tracks of blues music, explaining his selection of each song and its historical context. He described “I’m Going Back to Tennessee” as a classic blues song performed in a style similar to the original 1920s recordings by Leroy Carr and Scrapper Blackwell, with a simple acoustic arrangement featuring harmonica, guitar, and bass. Christopher also explained the significance of other songs like “Naptown Blues,” “Midnight Hour Blues,” and “Kokomo Blues,” highlighting their historical importance and connections to other famous blues artists.
He explained the background and themes of several tracks, including “Low Down Dirty Ways,” “Prison Bound Blues,” and “Birthday in Jail,” which was created as a summer version of their previous Christmas song. He noted that unlike traditional Delta blues, the music of Carr and Blackwell reflected urban city blues with a more upbeat tone, reflecting their experiences in 1920s Indianapolis rather than the rural Mississippi blues tradition.
He shared details about visiting significant locations including their graves, the building where they made their first recordings, and the National Historic Register Indianapolis Athletic Club building. Christopher explained how Guernsey, a local music store owner, helped bring Vocalion Records to Indianapolis for their recording, and noted that they made $4,000 each from “How Long, How Long Blues” in 1928 before the Depression ended their successful but short career.
The new album Naptown Blues which features covers of Leroy Carr and Scrapper songs, including a 24-page booklet with detailed liner notes about the music and recording process. The album is available for streaming and purchase through music platforms and Christopher’s website ChristopherWyze.com, where fans can also subscribe to weekly video content about the artists. Christopher announced plans to record a new original album in Muscle Shoals, Alabama with his band in 3-4 weeks.
Enjoy my conversation with Christopher about his new album, Naptown Blues:
Definitely the album to add to your music collection. Each one of these 11 tracks will bring you joy, calm and peace. Download your copy today and purchase the CD for yourself and your friends and family for the upcoming holidays. The history booklet contained inside the CD jewel case is so worth it! Judy Shields, The Hollywood Times
Christopher Wyze & The Tellers blend the grit of traditional blues with the storytelling spirit of Americana, creating a sound that’s raw, soulful, and unmistakably their own. Led by frontman and songwriter Christopher Wyze, the band’s music captures life’s highs, heartbreaks, and hard-earned lessons with honesty and fire. Their debut album, Stuck in the Mud, earned international acclaim and won the 2025 Blues Blast Music Award for Best New Artist Debut Album, landing on blues charts around the world. With authentic lyricism, powerhouse musicianship, and an energy that connects across generations, Christopher Wyze & The Tellers are redefining what modern blues can be—real, rootsy, and relentlessly human.
