# GA-20 > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/GA-20 > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/GA-20.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GA-20 > Source revision: 1328222964 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) {{Short description|American blues band}} {{Use mdy dates|date=April 2025}} {{Infobox musical artist | name = GA-20 | image = | landscape = yes | caption = | alias = | origin = [Boston, Massachusetts](/source/Boston%2C_Massachusetts), U.S. | genre = {{flatlist| * [Blues](/source/Blues) * [Chicago blues](/source/Chicago_blues) }} | years_active = 2018–present | label = {{flatlist| * Colemine Records/Karma Chief Records (2019–present) * Alligator Records (2021)}} | associated_acts = {{flatlist|}} | website = https://ga20band.com/ | current_members = * [Matthew Stubbs](/source/Matthew_Stubbs) * [Josh Kiggans](/source/Josh_Kiggans) * [Cody Nilsen](/source/Cody_Nilsen) | past_members = * Pat Faherty * Tim Carman }} '''GA-20''' is an American [blues](/source/blues) band from [Boston](/source/Boston), Massachusetts consisting of [Matthew Stubbs](/source/Matthew_Stubbs), [Cody Nilsen](/source/Cody_Nilsen), and [Josh Kiggans](/source/Josh_Kiggans). The band is named after the [guitar amplifier](/source/guitar_amplifier) manufactured by [Gibson](/source/Gibson_(guitar_company)) from 1950 to 1961. They primarily play [Chicago blues](/source/Chicago_blues). In 2018, GA-20 were nominated for a [Boston Music Award](/source/Boston_Music_Award) for Blues Artist of the year.[Wbur.org](/source/Wbur.org), September 21, 2018 - [https://www.wbur.org/artery/2018/09/21/2018-boston-music-awards-nominees Here Are All The 2018 Boston Music Awards Nominees, BLUES ARTIST OF THE YEAR By Amelia Mason] They have been nominated for the award eight years in a row. They won Blues Artist of the Year in 2019,{{Cite web|url=https://bostonmusicawards.com/bma/boston-music-awards-2019/|title=Boston Music Awards 2019|website=Bostonmusicawards.com|access-date=June 17, 2025}} 2021,{{Cite web|url=https://bostonmusicawards.com/bma/boston-music-awards-2021/|title=Boston Music Awards 2021|website=Bostonmusicawards.com|access-date=June 17, 2025}} 2022,{{Cite web|url=https://bostonmusicawards.com/bma/boston-music-awards-2022/|title=Boston Music Awards 2022 - Winners|website=Bostonmusicawards.com|access-date=June 17, 2025}} 2023,{{Cite web|url=https://bostonmusicawards.com/bma/boston-music-awards-2023/|title=Boston Music Awards 2023 - Winners|website=Bostonmusicawards.com|access-date=June 17, 2025}} 2024,{{Cite web|url=https://bostonmusicawards.com/bma/boston-music-awards-2024/|title=Boston Music Awards 2024 - Winners|website=Bostonmusicawards.com|access-date=June 17, 2025}} and 2025.https://bostonmusicawards.com/bma/boston-music-awards-2025/ They were nominated for their first [Blues Music Award](/source/Blues_Music_Award) in 2022 for Best Emerging Artist.{{Cite web|url=https://blues.org/blues-music-awards/|title = Blues Music Awards|website=Blues.org}} In 2023 GA-20 was nominated for Blues Band of the year and their album ''Live In Loveland'' was nominated for Live Blues Album by the Blues Blast Awards.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bluesblastmagazine.com/2023-blues-blast-music-award-nominees/|title=2023 Blues Blast Music Award Nominees|date=June 20, 2023}} They won Blues Act of the Year at the 2024 [New England Music Awards](/source/New_England_Music_Awards).{{Cite web|url=https://nemusicawards.com/award-winners/2024-nema-winners/|title=2024 NEMA Winners|website=New England Music Awards}} ==Background== [Matthew Stubbs](/source/Matthew_Stubbs) formed GA-20 in early 2018 during a hiatus from playing guitar with [Charlie Musselwhite](/source/Charlie_Musselwhite), due to Musselwhite touring with [Ben Harper](/source/Ben_Harper).{{Cite web|url=https://www.vintageguitar.com/48826/ga-20s-matt-stubbs-and-pat-faherty/|title=GA-20’s Matt Stubbs and Pat Faherty | Vintage Guitar® magazine|first=Ward|last=Meeker|date=August 8, 2023}} Stubbs sought to put a new project together to do blues gigs aside from his psych-rock group The Antiguas. Stubbs met original vocalist Pat Faherty through his many local Boston gigs. Faherty was a regular at these gigs and even took Blues guitar lessons from Stubbs. Early performances by the band had a rotating group of musicians with Faherty and Stubbs as the core members. Some early performances used various other musicians, sometimes playing as a four-piece band. They adopted the name GA-20 and the group became a trio by early 2018 consisting of two guitars (Stubbs & Faherty) and drums ([sideman](/source/sideman) Tim Carman). About a year after their formation, they scored a deal with Colemine Records imprint Karma Chief Records.{{Cite web|url=http://www.chattanoogapulse.com/api/content/7064311a-3533-11e9-91d5-120e7ad5cf50/|title=Naggin' On My Mind|first=Marc|last=Michael|date=February 20, 2019|website=Chattanoogapulse.com}} The group has been described as a trio that plays stripped down 1950s/1960s-style Chicago blues with a lot of distortion and no bass.{{Cite web|url=https://www.improper.com/arts-culture/top-10-local-acts-on-the-rise/|title=Top 10 Local Acts on the Rise | Improper Bostonian|website=Improper.com}} ==Career== After signing with Colemine/Karma Chief Records in December 2018, the band released the single "Naggin' On My Mind" which featured [Charlie Musselwhite](/source/Charlie_Musselwhite) and [Luther Dickinson](/source/Luther_Dickinson).''Vanyaland'', February 1, 2019 - [https://vanyaland.com/2019/02/01/studio-52-featured-band-of-the-week-ga-20/ Studio 52 Featured Band of the Week: GA-20
Electric blues duo of Matthew Stubbs and Pat Faherty play Toad in Cambridge tonight (February 1)]{{Cite web |last=Anders |first=Simon |date=February 16, 2019 |title=New Blues single from GA-20's Naggin' On My Mind w/ Charlie Musselwhite and Luther Dickinson • WithGuitars |url=https://www.withguitars.com/new-blues-single-from-ga-20s-naggin-on-my-mind-w-charlie-musselwhite-and-luther-dickinson/ |access-date=2025-05-17 |website=withguitars.com |language=en-GB}}The Joy of Violent Movement, /February 17, 2019 - [https://joyofviolentmovement.com/new-audio-jovm-mainstay-matthew-stubbs-teams-up-with-pat-faherty-charlie-musselwhite-and-luther-dickinson-on-a-boogie-blues-number/ New Audio: JOVM Mainstay Matthew Stubbs Teams Up with Pat Faherty, Charlie Musselwhite, and Luther Dickinson on a Boogie Blues Number by William Ruben Helms] It was recorded at [Q Division Studios](/source/Q_Division_Studios) in [Somerville, Massachusetts](/source/Somerville%2C_Massachusetts) and was produced by Stubbs. Musselwhite performed harmonica on the track, Dickinson was on [slide guitar](/source/slide_guitar). During the session [Matthew Prozialeck](/source/Matthew_Prozialeck) provided background vocals and played harmonica on what would become the B-side to "Naggin' On My Mind". Additional recordings from this session became the ''Lonely Soul'' album.{{Cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/GA-20-Lonely-Soul/release/14167150|title = GA-20 – Lonely Soul (2019, Red Translucent, Vinyl)|website = [Discogs](/source/Discogs)}} Stubbs and Faherty co-wrote the original material featured on ''Lonely Soul''. Their co-writing collaboration would continue through subsequent releases until Faherty’s 2024 departure.{{Cite web|url=https://www.houstonpress.com/music/ga-20-plays-the-blues-with-a-modern-twist-14740459|title=Make No Mistake, GA-20 Plays the Blues|first=Tom|last=Richards|website=Houston Press}} Their first record, a 7" single, was released in August 2019 with "Naggin' On My Mind" and "Sit Down Baby" on Karma Chief Records.{{Cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/GA-20-Naggin-On-My-Mind/release/13901754|title = GA-20 – Naggin' on My Mind (2019, Blue, Vinyl)|website = [Discogs](/source/Discogs)}} Their debut album ''Lonely Soul'' was released on October 18, 2019. The album debuted at number 2 on the Billboard Blues Chart. In September 2020 they released an EP called ''GA-20 Live Vol. 1''. The EP debuted at number 1 on the Billboard Blues Chart. Their August 2021 album ''GA-20 Does Hound Dog Taylor: Try It...You Might Like It!'' also debuted at number 1 on the Billboard Blues Chart of September 4, 2021 and was the first album ever to be played in its entirety on the [Dr Boogie radio show](/source/Walter_de_Paduwa).{{Cite web|url=https://www.rtbf.be/article/la-playlist-du-lundi-4-octobre-2021-10853909|title=La playlist du lundi 4 octobre 2021|website=Rtbf.be|access-date=12 February 2022}} Released to mark the 50th anniversary of ''[Hound Dog Taylor and the HouseRockers](/source/Hound_Dog_Taylor_and_the_HouseRockers)'', [Taylor](/source/Hound_Dog_Taylor)'s first disc, the GA-20 tracks are cover versions of songs from both that album and Taylor's second record ''[Natural Boogie](/source/Natural_Boogie)''. The album is a co-release by Colemine/Karma Chief Records and the legendary Blues label [Alligator Records](/source/Alligator_Records) (Hound Dog Taylor's label). The album received 4-star reviews in both ''[The Guardian](/source/The_Guardian)''{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2021/aug/14/ga-20-try-it-you-might-like-it-review-hound-dog-taylor-chicago-blues-alligator|title=GA-20: Try It... You Might Like It! review – a rowdy blast of primal blues|first=Neil|last=Spencer|date=August 14, 2021|via=The Guardian}} and [''Rolling Stone'' France](/source/Rolling_Stone).{{Cite web|url=https://www.rollingstone.fr/ga-20-coming-back-to-my-roots/|title=GA-20 : Un retour aux sources 100% blues|first=La|last=Rédaction|date=August 20, 2021|website=Rolling Stone}} In September 2022 the band released the studio album ''Crackdown'' which debuted at number 1 on the Billboard Blues Chart. They followed up ''Crackdown'' with the live record ''Live In Loveland'', which debuted at number 2 on the Billboard Blues Chart. In July 2024, it was announced that Tim Carman would be replaced, on drums, by Josh Kiggans.{{Cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1023808753085871&set=pb.100063702667006.-2207520000&type=3|title=Facebook|website=facebook.com}} In December 2024, it was announced that Pat Faherty had parted ways from the band due to artistic differences,{{Cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1BmU7Z7kKU/|title=Facebook|website=Facebook.com|access-date=June 17, 2025}} and that Cody Nilsen would take his place moving forward.{{Cite web|url=https://www.americanbluesscene.com/2024/12/ga-20-ushers-in-new-era-with-cody-nilsen-and-cryin-and-pleadin-cover/|title=GA-20 Ushers in New Era with Cody Nilsen and 'Cryin' and Pleadin'{{'}} Cover|date=December 10, 2024}} Nilsen is an acclaimed touring, session, and solo musician.{{Cite web|url=https://twangville.com/2022/06/02/introducing-cody-nilsen-a-twangville-premiere/|title=Introducing Cody Nilsen – a Twangville Premiere|website=Twangville.com|access-date=June 17, 2025}} Nilsen's debut with the band, "Cryin' & Pleadin'", was released December 10, 2024.{{Cite web|url=http://www.ifitstooloud.com/2024/12/ga-20-cover-billy-boy-arnold.html|title=GA-20 Cover Billy Boy Arnold|website=Ifitstooloud.vom|access-date=June 17, 2025}} "Cryin' & Pleadin'" reached number 1 on [B.B. King's Bluesville](/source/B.B._King's_Bluesville) Top 15 Rack of Blues in March 2025.{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.facebook.com/reel/951915673754683 |title=3.2K views · 187 reactions {{!}} Thrilled to find out #that CRYIN’ & PLEADIN’ is now #1 on SiriusXM BB Kings Bluesville Top 15 chart. 🍻 {{!}} GA-20 |language=en-US |access-date=2025-05-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250321160720/https://www.facebook.com/reel/951915673754683 |archive-date=March 21, 2025 |url-status=live }} It remained at number 1 for five consecutive weeks. In May of 2025 the EP ''GA-20 Volume 2'' was released.{{Cite web |last=Corbridge |first=Ian |date=2025-04-30 |title=GA-20 {{!}} Volume 2 {{!}} EP review |url=https://louderthanwar.com/ga-20-volume-2-ep-review/ |access-date=2025-05-17 |website=Louder Than War |language=en-GB}} == Band members == '''Current members''' *Matthew Stubbs – guitar (2018–present) *Josh Kiggans – drums (2024–present) *Cody Nilsen – lead vocals, guitar (2024–present) '''Past members''' *Pat Faherty – lead vocals, guitar (2018–2024) *Tim Carman – drums (2019–2024) ==Discography== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable" |+ Singles |- ! scope="col" class="unsortable" | Act ! scope="col" | Release title ! scope="col" | Catalogue ! scope="col" | Year ! scope="col" | Fmt ! scope="col" class="unsortable" | Notes |- ! scope="row" | {{center|GA-20
featuring
[Charlie Musselwhite](/source/Charlie_Musselwhite) and [Luther Dickinson](/source/Luther_Dickinson)}} | "Naggin’ On My Mind" | Karma Chief Records KCR12004dig1 | December 2018 | Digital | {{Cite web|url=https://boomkat.com/products/naggin-on-my-mind|title=Boomkat: Independent Music Specialist|website=Boomkat.com}}[https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/naggin-on-my-mind-feat-charlie-musselwhite-luther-dickinson/1444384517] {{dead link|date=March 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} |- ! scope="row" | {{center|GA-20
featuring
Charlie Musselwhite and Luther Dickinson}} | "Naggin’ On My Mind" / "Sit Down Baby" | Karma Chief Records KCR-105 | August 2019 | Vinyl, Digital | |- ! scope="row" | {{center|GA-20}} | "I Ain't Got You" | Karma Chief Records KCR-12004 | July 2020 | Digital |{{Cite web|url=https://www.coleminerecords.com/collections/ga-20/products/ga20-i-aint-got-you|title=GA20 - I Ain't Got You|website=Colemine Records}} |- ! scope="row" | {{center|GA-20}} | "No No" | Karma Chief Records KCR-001 | April 2021 | Digital |{{Cite web|url=https://www.coleminerecords.com/collections/ga-20/products/ga20-two-in-the-ground-b-w-no-no|title=GA20 - Two In The Ground b/w No No|website=Colemine Records}} |- ! scope="row" | {{center|GA-20}} | "No No" / "Two In The Ground" | Karma Chief Records KCR-120 | September 2022 | Vinyl, Digital |- ! scope="row" | {{center|GA-20}} | "ATL" | Karma Chief Records KCR-002 | November 2022 | Digital |{{Cite web|url=https://www.coleminerecords.com/collections/ga-20/products/ga20-atl|title=GA20 - ATL|website=Colemine Records}} |- ! scope="row" | {{center|GA-20}} | "Jolene" / "Still As The Night" | Karma Chief Records KCR-128 | September 2023 | Vinyl, Digital |{{Cite web|url=https://www.coleminerecords.com/collections/ga-20/products/ga20-jolene-still-as-the-night|title=GA20 - Jolene / Still As The Night|website=Colemine Records}} |- ! scope="row" | {{center|GA-20}} | "Cryin' & Pleadin'" | KCR-005; GA20-002 | December 2024 | Digital | |- ! scope="row" | {{center|GA-20}} | "I Love You, I Need You" | KCR-005; GA20-002 | February 2025 | Digital |{{cite web | url=https://www.rockandbluesmuse.com/2025/02/05/ga-20-drops-new-single-i-love-you-i-need-you/ | title=GA-20 Drops New Single 'I Love You I Need You'|website=Rockandbluesmuse.com | date=5 February 2025 }} |- ! scope="row" | {{center|GA-20}} | "Stranger Blues" | GA20-002 | March 2025 | Digital |{{cite web | url=https://www.ifitstooloud.com/2025/03/ga-20-stranger-blues.html?m=1 | title=GA-20 - "Stranger Blues"|website=Ifitstooloud.com }} |- ! scope="row" | {{center|GA-20}} | "Hold On, I'm Coming" | GA20-002 | August 2025 | Digital |https://blog.bluespowr.com/trio-ga-20-releases-first-single-from-new-album-a-slide-filled-instrumental-take-on-soul-classic-hold-on-im-coming/ |- ! scope="row" | {{center|GA-20}} | "My Baby Sweeter" | GA20-002 | September 2025 | Digital |https://www.gratefulweb.com/articles/ga-20-release-new-single-my-baby-sweeter-and-announce-orphans/ |- ! scope="row" | {{center|GA-20}} | "Just One More Time" | GA20-002 | November 2025 | Digital |https://bluestownmusic.nl/single-i-ga-20-just-one-more-time/ |- |- |} {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable" |+Albums/EPs |- ! scope="col" | Release title ! scope="col" | Catalogue ! scope="col" | Year ! scope="col" | Fmt ! scope="col" class="unsortable" | Notes |- | ''Lonely Soul'' | Karma Chief Records KCR12004 | October 2019 | LP, CD, Tape, Digital | Debut on Billboard Blues Albums at No. 2 |- | ''GA-20 Live Vol. 1'' | Karma Chief Records KCR110 | September 2020 | EP, CD, Digital | Debut on Billboard Blues Albums at No. 1 |- | ''Try It...You Might Like It! GA-20 Does [Hound Dog Taylor](/source/Hound_Dog_Taylor)'' | Karma Chief Records KCR12017 | August 2021 | LP, CD, Digital | Debut on Billboard Blues Albums at No. 1{{Cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/blues-albums/|title=Blues Albums|website=Billboard.com|date=2 January 2013|access-date=12 February 2022}} |- |- | ''GA-20 Does Hound Dog Taylor LIVE!'' | Karma Chief Records KCR12017 | December 2021 | EP, CD, Digital | |- |- | ''Crackdown'' | Karma Chief Records KCR12007 | September 2022 | LP, CD, Digital | Debut on Billboard Blues Albums at No. 1{{Cite web|url=https://pavementpr.com/artists/ga-20/|title=GA-20|website=Pavementpr.com|date=October 10, 2014}} |- |- | ''Live In Loveland'' | Karma Chief Records KCR12016 | March 2023 | LP, CD, Digital | Debut on Billboard Blues Albums at No. 2 |- | ''GA-20 Volume 2'' | GA20-002 | May 2025 | EP, CD, Digital | |- | ''Orphans'' | GA20-002 | December 2025 | LP, CD, Digital |https://www.coleminerecords.com/products/ga-20-orphans?srsltid=AfmBOopBfXZrWE_xjIQr-yyUijiqcG6Cd0kYB6lYoiShvxTgTi_e1IhThttps://www.bluesblastmagazine.com/ga-20-orphans-album-review/ |- |} ==External links== * {{Discogs artist}} * {{MusicBrainz}} ==References== {{Reflist}} {{Authority control}} Category:American blues musical groups Category:Chicago blues ensembles Category:Musical groups from Boston Category:Alligator Records artists --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [GA-20](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GA-20) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GA-20?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.