Carousel Stage 200 Ravinia Park Road Highland Park, IL 60035 Website|Map
The Special Consensus sound is grounded in a deep appreciation and understanding of bluegrass music; the infectious band sound reminds people of the past while utilizing the innovations of today. With the foundation of bandleader and founder Greg Cahill’s unique banjo playing style, Greg Blake (guitar), Dan Eubanks (bass), and Michael Prewitt (mandolin) 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.
The band proudly celebrated its 45th anniversary in 2020 with the release of Chicago Barn Dance. This recording also celebrated 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 or are written by artists who once made Chicago home. The album received five 2020 International Bluegrass Music Association award nominations, and the title song “Chicago Barn Dance” was honored as the Song of the Year.
