After their run with GA-20, drummer Tim Carman and guitarist Pat Faherty took their sound in a new direction with Canyon Lights — one that leaves room for atmosphere, rhythm, and subtle shifts in tone. Their new single, “Drivin’ Me,” out today via American Blues Scene, captures that evolution.
Pat and Tim have been friends and bandmates since 2018, racking up thousands of hours onstage across the globe. Their shared love of blues powered the explosive rise of GA-20, the Boston-based trio that scored three #1 Billboard blues albums. But in 2023, the pair found themselves reconnecting over a different kind of inspiration: the riff-driven rock of the ’70s. Bands like Mountain, Thin Lizzy, and James Gang were a guiding light as the two began working out new material that didn’t quite fit the confines of their former blues lane.
Faherty brought in some riff ideas; Carman opened up his lyric vault. The songwriting spark was immediate. In early 2024, the two flew to Denver to record with engineer and co-producer Dylan Brown—and Canyon Lights was officially born.
“The songs on this album are among the most personal we’ve ever written and recorded,” the pair say. “Spending 200 days a year on the road, struggling with separation and loss, the thrill and loneliness of living out of a suitcase… a lot of blood, sweat, and tears went into this album. We held nothing back, and we can’t wait for you all to experience these stories with us.”
After wrapping the album, on which Faherty plays all bass parts, the duo realized they needed a third member to round out the band for live shows. One name kept coming up: Heather Gillis. A seasoned multi-instrumentalist known for her work with Butch Trucks and Lindsay Lou, Gillis also leads her own band, Wolf Twin. When the three got together in Nashville, the chemistry was immediate. They recorded a live version of their original track “Seventh Son,” which dropped December 5, 2024.
Since then, things have accelerated. Canyon Lights signed with Burning House Management and Madison House Booking Agency, landing a national tour that includes a run of shows opening for George Thorogood & The Destroyers.
“Drivin’ Me” highlights the band’s keen songwriting craft and deep groove sensibility. Tim Carman tells us: “Although the lyrics came together quickly, the exact feel of the song took a while to reveal itself. While in the studio, with the help of co-producer Dylan Brown, we settled on the driving snare drum/tambourine groove with a Beatle-inspired guitar part. It quickly became one of our favorite tracks on the album.”
With a guest appearance by Johnny Stachela (Duane Betts & Palmetto Motel) on slide guitar, “Drivin’ Me” tips its hat to the southern rock lineage that helped inspire the band in the first place.
CANYON LIGHTS 2025 TOUR DATES:
* opening for George Thorogood & The Destroyers
Aug 26 Tue – Texas Trust CU Theatre – Grand Prairie, TX *
Aug 27 Wed – House of Blues Houston – Houston, TX *
Aug 30 Sat – Frederick Brown Jr Amphitheater – Peachtree City, GA *
Sep 2 Tue – Lillian S. Wells Hall at The Parker – Ft Lauderdale, FL *
Sep 5 Fri – Charleston Music Hall – Charleston, SC *
Sep 6 Sat – The Paramount – Charlottesville, VA *
Sep 7 Sun – The Grand – Wilmington, DE *
Sep 10 Wed – H. Ric Luhrs Performing Arts Center – Shippensburg, PA *
Sep 14 Sun – St. George Theatre – Staten Island, NY *
Sep 17 Wed – Paramount Theatre, Rutland, VT
Sep 19 Fri – Lynn Auditorium, Lynn, MA *
Sep 20 Sat – Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom, Hampton Beach, NH *
