The Blue Plate Special, a free midday showcase for live music offered five days a week by Knoxville radio station WDVX, has become a venerable tradition in this music-centric city. No matter whether the artists are established or up-and-coming, the program offers no shortage of great performers within the intimate confines of the Knoxville Visitors [...]
Special Consensus has announced a change in their lineup, with Nate Burie departing from his mandolin position with the band, and Michael Prewitt stepping in to fill that spot. Banjo picker and band leader, Greg Cahill, bid a fond farewell last night to Nate as his tenure with Special C came to an end. "Today [...]
While it's always a tense time for musicians who make major career changes, switching touring acts or launching a new venture, it comes as something of a comfort after such a strange year to report on a story that feels so much like regular life in the bluegrass world. Greg Cahill, who is taking a [...]
In its 45 year history, Special Consensus has served as the launching pad for the careers of many other players who have become instrumental figures in the bluegrass world. Chris Jones played with Special C from 1981-1985. Today he leads his own band, Chris Jones & the Night Drivers, who collectively have won 16 IBMA [...]
Compass Records has today released a new music video from Special Consensus, taken from their current, Chicago-themed album, Chicago Barn Dance. All the songs contained therein are about, or have some connection to, the hometown of founder and bandleader, Greg Cahill, who has helmed the group this past 45 years. The video celebrates perhaps the [...]
It's been a big few months for Rick Faris, guitarist and vocalist with Special Consensus. He saw his own solo project release on Dark Shadow Recording, and a new album from Special C on Compass, with some chart actions for both. Add to that now the birth of his second child. Kent Faris was born [...]
Special Consensus has been getting a lot of attention of late for Chicago Barn Dance, the title track on their just-released album from Compass Records. The song is currently #1 on our Bluegrass Today Weekly Airplay chart, so it's obviously a hit with bluegrass radio, mighty helpful when you can't tour in support of a [...]
We all know that bluegrass music is most often associated with Kentucky, but throughout its history, several other regions around the United States have laid claim to their own special role in the founding of our favorite music. The Washington DC/Baltimore area, with acts such as the Country Gentlemen and Seldom Scene, or Bristol, TN/VA, [...]
Compass Records has released their latest album for Special Consensus, following up on their Grammy-nominated Rivers and Roads project from 2018. And to celebrate, they have offered us the chance to share the title track, Chicago Barn Dance, written by Becky Buller, Missy Raines, and Alison Brown, Compass Records President who also served as producer. [...]
Following the recently announced departure of mandolinist Nick Dumas from Special Consensus, banjo player and band leader Greg Cahill has informed us that Nick's place will be taken by Nate Burie. Nate grew up performing with his family band, The Burie Family, with his brother and two sisters in their native Wisconsin. He has also [...]
The Blue Plate Special, a free midday showcase for live music offered five days a week by Knoxville radio station WDVX, has become a venerable tradition in this music-centric city. No matter whether the artists are established or up-and-coming, the program offers no shortage of great performers within the intimate confines of the Knoxville Visitors [...] 
Special Consensus has announced a change in their lineup, with Nate Burie departing from his mandolin position with the band, and Michael Prewitt stepping in to fill that spot. Banjo picker and band leader, Greg Cahill, bid a fond farewell last night to Nate as his tenure with Special C came to an end. "Today [...] 
While it's always a tense time for musicians who make major career changes, switching touring acts or launching a new venture, it comes as something of a comfort after such a strange year to report on a story that feels so much like regular life in the bluegrass world. Greg Cahill, who is taking a [...] 
In its 45 year history, Special Consensus has served as the launching pad for the careers of many other players who have become instrumental figures in the bluegrass world. Chris Jones played with Special C from 1981-1985. Today he leads his own band, Chris Jones & the Night Drivers, who collectively have won 16 IBMA [...] 
Compass Records has today released a new music video from Special Consensus, taken from their current, Chicago-themed album, Chicago Barn Dance. All the songs contained therein are about, or have some connection to, the hometown of founder and bandleader, Greg Cahill, who has helmed the group this past 45 years. The video celebrates perhaps the [...] 
It's been a big few months for Rick Faris, guitarist and vocalist with Special Consensus. He saw his own solo project release on Dark Shadow Recording, and a new album from Special C on Compass, with some chart actions for both. Add to that now the birth of his second child. Kent Faris was born [...] 
Following the recently announced departure of mandolinist Nick Dumas from Special Consensus, banjo player and band leader Greg Cahill has informed us that Nick's place will be taken by Nate Burie. Nate grew up performing with his family band, The Burie Family, with his brother and two sisters in their native Wisconsin. He has also [...] 