Special Consensus, marking its 50th anniversary in 2025, continues to deliver a vibrant contemporary bluegrass sound deeply rooted in tradition. The band released a brand-new album, Been All Around This World, on the Nashville-based Compass Records label in June, 2025. Led by founder Greg Cahill, a recipient of the prestigious International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) Distinguished Achievement Award and an inductee into the Society for the Preservation of Bluegrass Music in America (SPBGMA) Hall of Greats, Special Consensus has been a cornerstone of the bluegrass community for five decades. The group has released 22 acclaimed recordings, earned eight IBMA awards, and received two Grammy nominations – a testament to their enduring artistry and innovation.
Special Consensus’ sound is grounded in a deep appreciation and understanding of bluegrass music, incorporating both the drive and harmonies of the traditional sound with the more contemporary sounds and repertoire of today. With the foundation of Greg’s unique banjo playing style and the vocal prowess of the 2023 IBMA Male Vocalist of the Year Greg Blake (guitar), Dan Eubanks (bass) and Brian McCarty (mandolin), these musicians effortlessly support each other and consistently maintain their bluegrass center whether they’re playing a jazz-tinged instrumental or a song from any of their award-winning recordings. These four talented vocalists and instrumentalists follow their creative desires without straying too far from their roots.
Scratch Gravel Road was the second band recording released on the Compass Records label and it received a nomination for the 2012 Best Bluegrass Album Grammy.
Rivers and Roads, the band’s 19th recording, was nominated for the 2018 Best Bluegrass Album Grammy and was awarded 2018 IBMA Album of the Year. The tune “Squirrel Hunters” from that recording received the Instrumental Recorded Performance of the Year award.
The band proudly records for Compass Records and celebrated its 45th anniversary in 2020 with the release of Chicago Barn Dance. This recording also celebrates the long-standing connection of country and bluegrass music with Chicago from the time of the WLS “National Barn Dance,” which 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. The title song “Chicago Barn Dance” received the 2020 IBMA Song of the Year Award.
Compass Records released Great Blue North, the 21st Special C recording, in May of 2023. The band has been touring in Canada for decades and this recording was made as a tip of the hat to all the friends and fans made throughout the country over so many years. All songs featured on the recording were written by Canadian writers and numerous Canadian musician friends of the band made guest appearances. The Gordon Lightfoot song “Alberta Bound” received the 2023 IBMA Collaborative Recording of the Year award, and the video received the first-ever 2024 IBMA Video of the Year award.
Been All Around This World was released by Compass Records in June, 2025 in celebration of the band’s Golden Anniversary and included very “special” appearances by band alums Rick Faris, Ashby Frank, Robbie Fulks, Chris Jones, Dallas Wayne and Josh Williams along with current band members Greg Cahill, Dan Eubanks, Greg Blake and Brian McCarty. This recording is truly a celebration of the music of Special Consensus over the past 50 years!
