GA-20 and Charlie Musselwhite Announce Collaborative Album Blues Now

GA-20 and Charlie Musselwhite Announce Collaborative Album Blues Now

​Release date:  July 31, 2026
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Blues trio GA-20 and legendary harmonica player Charlie Musselwhite have announced the release of their collaborative album BLUES NOW, arriving July 31, 2026 via New West Records. The 10-track collection was produced by GA-20’s Matthew Stubbs and recorded at Rare Signals in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

BLUES NOW brings together one of today’s most prominent young blues acts with a master of the genre whose career spans more than six decades. Since forming in 2018, GA-20 has built a dedicated following, with four studio releases reaching No. 1 or No. 2 on the Billboard Blues chart. Musselwhite’s deep roots in the tradition add historical weight and authenticity to the collaboration.

The album’s lead single, “Crazy Love,” is available now. Written by Willie Dixon and originally recorded by Buddy Guy, the track reflects the project’s commitment to honoring classic blues while bringing a fresh perspective.

“This song has all of the elements we look for—the attitude, a Chicago blues foundation, with a soul/garage approach,” said Stubbs. “Buddy Guy is a favorite, and this tune is not one easily found. It’s a hidden gem.”

Much of the album’s material was selected based on Musselwhite’s personal connections to the artists and songs. “We tried to find songs that Charlie had a connection to or artists he knew personally from Chicago,” Stubbs explained. “But we also chose songs we love and felt we could do justice.”

While rooted in the raw Chicago blues sound of the late 1950s and early ’60s, the band aimed to channel influence rather than imitation. “We didn’t want to simply re-create Stand Back!,” Stubbs added. “We wanted to capture the spirit of that record.”
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Reflecting on the sessions, Musselwhite said, “We’re so good we have to make mistakes on purpose. Everything went smoothly—making this album was as easy as falling off a log.”
BLUES NOW will be available on digital platforms, CD, and vinyl, including limited color vinyl editions through select retailers and directly from the band.
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TRACK LISTING
Crazy Love
I Can’t Hold Out
I’ll Change My Style
Big Stars Falling
Universal Rock
The Blues Never Die
Strange Land
Stroll Out West
Short Dress Woman
Cristo Redentor