TALENT PROFILE

The Special Consensus

The Special Consensus

Celebrating the Heart of Bluegrass, One Note at a Time!

The Special Consensus is a four-person acoustic bluegrass band that originated in the Chicago area in 1975. Since their formation, the band has released 19 recordings and made numerous appearances on National Public Radio programs and cable television shows, including The Nashville Network and the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Tennessee. Over the years, their international tours have taken them to Australia, Canada, Europe, Ireland, South America, and the United Kingdom.

In addition to live performances, The Special Consensus has collaborated with many symphony orchestras, enriching their sound with a unique orchestral blend. The band is also committed to music education, offering an in-school presentation called the Traditional American Music (TAM) Program. Since 1984, this program has brought the essence of American bluegrass to students both nationally and internationally, fostering a love for traditional music.

The band is led by Greg Cahill, a celebrated banjo player who has served as the former President/Board Chair of the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) and the former President of the Foundation for Bluegrass Music. Cahill received the IBMA Distinguished Achievement Award in 2011, highlighting his significant contributions to bluegrass music. The band also includes guitarist Rick Faris, upright bass player Dan Eubanks, and mandolin player Nick Dumas, all of whom contribute to the band’s distinctive sound.

Throughout their career, The Special Consensus has earned recognition for their recordings. Their 2012 album Scratch Gravel Road was nominated for a GRAMMY for Best Bluegrass Album. Their 2014 release, Country Boy: A Bluegrass Tribute to John Denver, won IBMA awards for Recorded Event of the Year and Instrumental Recorded Performance of the Year. In 2016, Long I Ride featured a track that received another IBMA award for Instrumental Recorded Performance of the Year.

The band’s 2018 album, Rivers And Roads, continued their streak of acclaim, receiving IBMA awards for Instrumental Recorded Performance of the Year and Album of the Year, along with a GRAMMY nomination for Best Bluegrass Album. With each project, The Special Consensus remains dedicated to pushing the boundaries of bluegrass music while honoring its roots.

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The Special Consensus

The Special Consensus is a renowned bluegrass band formed in Chicago in 1975, known for their vibrant acoustic sound and dedication to traditional American music. Led by Greg Cahill, an IBMA Distinguished Achievement Award recipient, the band has released 19 albums, earning GRAMMY nominations and multiple IBMA awards. Their performances have reached audiences worldwide, and they frequently appear on NPR and at prestigious venues like the Grand Ole Opry. The band also offers the Traditional American Music (TAM) Program, sharing bluegrass with students nationally and internationally. With each release, The Special Consensus continues to celebrate and evolve the bluegrass genre.

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Celebrating the Heart of Bluegrass, One Note at a Time!

The Special Consensus is a four-person acoustic bluegrass band that originated in the Chicago area in 1975. Since their formation, the band has released 19 recordings and made numerous appearances on National Public Radio programs and cable television shows, including The Nashville Network and the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Tennessee. Over the years, their international tours have taken them to Australia, Canada, Europe, Ireland, South America, and the United Kingdom.

In addition to live performances, The Special Consensus has collaborated with many symphony orchestras, enriching their sound with a unique orchestral blend. The band is also committed to music education, offering an in-school presentation called the Traditional American Music (TAM) Program. Since 1984, this program has brought the essence of American bluegrass to students both nationally and internationally, fostering a love for traditional music.

The band is led by Greg Cahill, a celebrated banjo player who has served as the former President/Board Chair of the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) and the former President of the Foundation for Bluegrass Music. Cahill received the IBMA Distinguished Achievement Award in 2011, highlighting his significant contributions to bluegrass music. The band also includes guitarist Rick Faris, upright bass player Dan Eubanks, and mandolin player Nick Dumas, all of whom contribute to the band’s distinctive sound.

Throughout their career, The Special Consensus has earned recognition for their recordings. Their 2012 album Scratch Gravel Road was nominated for a GRAMMY for Best Bluegrass Album. Their 2014 release, Country Boy: A Bluegrass Tribute to John Denver, won IBMA awards for Recorded Event of the Year and Instrumental Recorded Performance of the Year. In 2016, Long I Ride featured a track that received another IBMA award for Instrumental Recorded Performance of the Year.

The band’s 2018 album, Rivers And Roads, continued their streak of acclaim, receiving IBMA awards for Instrumental Recorded Performance of the Year and Album of the Year, along with a GRAMMY nomination for Best Bluegrass Album. With each project, The Special Consensus remains dedicated to pushing the boundaries of bluegrass music while honoring its roots.

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Decades of hits, deep cuts, and nonstop fun!

 

Panic At The Costco is a high-energy, crowd-pleasing band hailing from the North Shore of Chicago. Since their debut in 2015, they’ve been entertaining audiences with their fun, engaging performances and an undeniable passion for live music. Their unique style and vibrant stage presence make them a favorite for music lovers of all ages.

Drawing from decades of hits, Panic At The Costco’s setlist spans the 60s, 70s, 80s, and 90s, delivering a nostalgic journey through some of the greatest eras in music. From iconic classics to those surprise deep cuts you didn’t realize you missed, their performances always strike the perfect balance of familiarity and excitement.

Whether playing at local venues, private events, or festivals, Panic At The Costco brings an infectious energy that gets everyone dancing and singing along. With their eclectic song choices and dynamic sound, they guarantee a memorable experience that keeps fans coming back for more.

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What You Can Expect to Hear:

A-Ha – AC/DC – Aerosmith – Avril Lavigne – Beastie Boys – Beatles – Billy Idol – Black Crowes – Black Keys – Blind Melon – Blondie – BoDeans – Bon Jovi – Bryan Adams – The Cars – Cheap Trick – The Clash – The Cure – Cyndi Lauper – David Bowie – Duran Duran – The Eagles – Elvis Presley – Erasure – Foo Fighters – Franz Ferdinand – Freddy Jones Band – Green Day – The Go-Go’s – INXS – J. Giles Band – John Denver – Johnny Cash – The Killers – The Kinks – The Knack – Lenny Kravitz – Madonna – Matthew Sweet – Men At Work – Metallica – Modern English – MotorHead – Neil Diamond – Nirvana – Pat Benatar – The Pixies – Poison – The Psychedelic Furs – Queen – The Rolling Stones – Radiohead – Ramones – Red Hot Chilipeppers – REM – Rick Springfield – RUSH – Shania Twain – Simple Minds – Steelers Wheel – Steve Miller Band – Stevie Wonder – The Strokes – Talking Heads – Tom Petty – U2 – Van Halen – Violent Femmes – Walk The Moon – Weezeer – Wild Cherry – Zac Brown Band – ZZ Top  – and more!