When Roomful of Blues claims the top spot on the Living Blues Radio Chart for December 2025, it’s not just another chart achievement—it’s a validation that the hard-driving, horn-powered sound that defined New England blues continues to resonate with contemporary audiences hungry for authenticity and musicianship.
“Steppin’ Out” landing at number one speaks volumes about where the blues community’s priorities lie right now. In an era of endless streaming options and algorithmic playlists, radio programmers and listeners are gravitating toward artists who deliver genuine, unfiltered blues experiences. Roomful of Blues has never been a group to chase trends. Led by Chris Cote’s saxophone and the band’s relentless groove, they represent a lineage that stretches back through jump blues and R&B into the very heart of blues tradition, yet sounds completely vital and contemporary.
What’s equally significant is seeing Buddy Guy holding strong at number two with “Ain’t Done with the Blues.” At this stage of his legendary career, Guy could rest on decades of accolades—his influence on electric blues guitar is immeasurable, his catalog spans generations. Yet here he is, still recording new material, still pushing himself. That kind of longevity matters. It tells younger musicians and fans that blues isn’t nostalgia; it’s a living, breathing art form that artists spend their entire lives exploring.
The presence of both artists on this chart simultaneously highlights an interesting dynamic in contemporary blues. We’re seeing success for artists who embrace the full spectrum of blues heritage—from the honky-tonk influenced sounds Roomful champions to Guy’s sophisticated, virtuosic approach to the electric tradition. There’s no single “right way” anymore, and that’s healthy for the genre.
Living Blues magazine’s radio chart remains one of the most credible temperature readings for the blues landscape. Unlike commercial radio metrics, these charts reflect what’s actually getting played by DJs and programmers who understand blues deeply—people with decades of knowledge and genuine investment in the music’s future.
As we move deeper into 2025, these December rankings offer encouragement for those who worry about blues radio’s relevance. The fact that sophisticated, uncompromising blues music tops the charts suggests that radio audiences—whether traditional or streaming—still crave substance over flash, tradition over trend-chasing.
The blues is in good hands when Roomful of Blues and Buddy Guy lead the conversation.
