- From Chicago, Illinois.
- The name Special Consensus comes from the writings of Carlos Casteneda, an anthropologist who wrote about the mystical and spiritual beliefs of a Mexican Indian tribe. The “special consensus” was a state of mind for the Yaqui Indians where “all the good things in life connect with the good things of the spirit.”
- Led by banjo-virtuoso Greg Cahill, who formed the group in 1975 and has been the one constant member.
- Cahill’s early influences: polka music (he played an accordian at age 8). In the 1960’s, he heard Flatt and Scruggs, fell in love with the banjo. Has been a full time banjo player since 1975.
- Cahill has a master’s degree in social work.
- 1992, Cahill also performed and recorded several albums with mandolinist Don Stiernberg.
- 1993, released Green Rolling Hills
album (Turquoise).
- 1996, released Strong Enough to Bend
album (Pinecastle).
- 1998, released Our Little Town
album (Pinecastle).
- 1998, Cahill played banjo on the John Lithgow Discover Card commercials. Has also played on several Coke commercials.
- 2000, released 25th Anniversary
album (Pinecastle) to celebrate their silver anniversary as a band.
- 2002, survived a serious bus accident in April near Texarkana, Texas. Bus was totaled.
- 2002, released Route 10
album (Pinecastle).
- 2004, released Everything’s Alright
album (Pinecastle)
- 2006, Cahill was elected president and chairman of the board of IBMA. Cahill had previously served as vice-chairman of the board and chaired IBMA’s Bluegrass in the Schools committee.
- 2007, released Trail of Aching Hearts
album (Pinecastle).
- 2008, Cahill appeared on the Jerry Springer Show (NBC) in a hillbilly-themed segment.
- 2009, released Signs
album (Pinecastle).
- 2010, released 35
album (Pinecastle), celebrating the band’s 35th anniversary.
- 2012, released Scratch Gravel Road
album (Compass).
- 2013, released album Country Boy: A Bluegrass Tribute To John Denver
(Compass).
- 2014, won IBMA Awards for Instrumental Recorded Performance of the Year (“Thank God I’m a Country Boy”) and Recorded Event of the Year (“Wild Montana Skies” with Claire Lynch and Rob Ickes.)
- 2016, released Long I Ride album (Compass).
- 2016, won IBMA Award for Instrumental Recorded Performance of the Year (“Fireball” with Rob Ickes, Trey Hensley and Alison Brown).
- 2018, released Rivers and Roads album (Compass).
- 2018, won IBMA Awards for Album of the Year (for Rivers and Roads) and Instrumental Recorded Performance of the Year (“Squirrel Hunters” from the same album).
- 2020, released Chicago Barn Dance album (Compass); won the IBMA Award for Song of the Year for the title song.
- 2021, Rick Faris left the group after 11 years to pursue a solo career. Greg Blake took his place.
- 2023 lineup: Cahill (banjo), Blake (guitar), Dan Eubanks (bass), Michael Prewitt (fiddle/mandolin).
- 2023, released Great Blue North album (Compass).
- 2024, Brian McCarty replaced Prewitt (fiddle/mandolin) in the band.
Special Consensus
