Special Consensus

One of the Midwest's leading bluegrass groups, the Special Consensus strike an easy balance between the classic sound of traditional bluegrass and the more progressive approach of newgrass, fashioning a distinctive style of their own. Led by banjo player Greg Cahill, the Special Consensus are also one of bluegrass' most enduring combos, starting out in the mid-'70s and still going strong in the 2020s. They hit their stride on LPs like 1998's Our Little Town and 2005's Everything's Alright, and a small army of talented pickers have helped maintain their reputation for exceptional instrumental skill and stellar harmonies. They've also revealed a knack for geographically themed concept albums, such as 2020's Chicago Barn Dance (honoring their hometown of Chicago) and 2023's Great Blue North (playing tribute to Canadian bluegrass artists); they celebrated their 50th year as a group with 2025's Been All Around This World.