Special Consensus

Description

Special Consensus, formed in Chicago in 1975, is a bluegrass band
that has achieved a contemporary sound in their four decades of
performing, making their music a modern classic. The band tours
nationally and internationally, performing throughout the USA and in
Canada, Europe, South America, Australia, Ireland and the United
Kingdom. Special C has also appeared on National Public Radio, The
Nashville Network, the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Tennessee, and
in concert with many symphony orchestras nationwide. The band has
released 20 recordings that have garnered six awards from the
International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) and two GRAMMY
nominations. Dedicated to preserving their craft and keeping it fresh,
in 1984 Special Consensus initiated the Traditional American Music
(TAM) Program to introduce bluegrass music to students of all ages in
schools throughout the country and in several foreign lands. The 2020
Compass Records release of "Chicago Barn Dance" celebrates the
long-standing connection of country and bluegrass music with
Chicago from the time of the WLS "National Barn Dance" that was a
precursor to the Grand Ole Opry. The songs on this recording either
relate to Chicago and/or are written by artists who once lived in
Chicago and the title song received the 2020 IBMA Song of the Year
Award. Band leader and founder Greg Cahill is a recipient of the
prestigious Distinguished Achievement Award from the International
Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) and was inducted into the
Society for the Preservation of Bluegrass Music in America (SPBGMA)
Hall of Greats.

Work Sample

This is a typical Special Consensus show with two sets of music, performed in 2016 in Grenna, Sweden. The entire show is just about 100 minutes. Special C formed in Chicago in 1975 and has continued to tour nationally/internationally on a full time basis until the present. The band has released 20 recordings, the most recent in May 2020 on the Compass Records label (Nashville, TN). Special C recordings have received a total of six awards from the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) and two Grammy nominations. The band also offers an informative presentation about the origin and growth of bluegrass music, one of our American-born forms of traditional music. This presentation, called the Traditional American Music (TAM) Program, can be presented to students of all ages and general community audiences.

The sets presented are comprised primarily of songs included on band recordings and song requests from audience members.

History

Special Consensus formed in Chicago in 1975 and has continued to actively tour nationally and internationally to the present. The band has released 20 recordings and many have received various awards as well as two Grammy nominations. The band has performed at festivals, theaters, churches, schools, community centers and music venues throughout the USA and most countries of mainland Europe, Ireland and all countries of the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada and South America.

Artistic Vision

Special Consensus presents a repertoire of traditional bluegrass songs and tunes, original songs by band members and favored songwriters and songs from blues, swing and Celtic genres.

Programs for Specific Audience(s) Expertise

We present our Traditional American Music (TAM) Program to primary and middle school students, high school students, college classes (and workshops for music majors and band members) and general audiences to provide an overview of the roots of bluegrass music, the instruments played and their origins and how they are constructed, description and demonstration of harmony singing and songwriting.

Traditional Folk/Ethnic Artform Statement

Bluegrass music is a relatively new, truly American-born from of traditional music that was molded by Kentucky-mandolin player Bill Monroe, known as the "Father of Bluegrass Music" in the late 1930s-early 1940s. It has had major influence on many other genres of American music, evidenced by the fact that Bill Monroe has been inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame, the International Bluegrass Music Association Hall of Fame and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.