Grammy-nominated bluegrass band The Special Consensus returns to Fish Creek on Weds., December 6 to perform at the White Gull Inn. Because the first night sold out immediately after being announced, a second performance has been added the following night, Thurs., December 7. Tickets for the 8 pm concerts are $23.
Formed in the Chicago area in 1975, The Special Consensus is a four-person acoustic bluegrass band with a repertoire that features traditional bluegrass standards, original compositions by band members and professional songwriters, and songs from other musical genres performed in the bluegrass format. The band has released 17 recordings and has appeared on numerous National Public Radio programs and cable television shows, including The Nashville Network and the Grand Ole Opry at the historic Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Tennessee. International tours have brought the band to Canada, Europe, South America, Ireland, the United Kingdom and Australia.
The Special Consensus has appeared in concert with many symphony orchestras nationwide and has brought informative in-school presentation to schools nationally and internationally since 1984. Band leader and banjo player Greg Cahill is the former President and Board Chair of the Nashville-based International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) and the former Board Chair of the Nashville-based Foundation for Bluegrass Music. He was awarded the prestigious IBMA Distinguished Achievement Award in 2011. The band recently released “Long I Ride,” its 18th recording, featuring songs from current band members and band alums Robbie Fulks, Justin Carbone and Ron Spears. The 2012 band release “Scratch Gravel Road” (Compass Records) was Grammy-nominated for Best Bluegrass Album. Cahill’s current band consists of guitarist Rick Faris, bass player Dan Eubanks, and mandolinist Nick Dumas. All members of the band share vocals.
An optional pre-concert fixed price dinner will be served each night at 6 pm. The Wednesday night menu consists of Chicken Enchilada Verdes, Mexican rice, black bean tomato salsa, guacamole and tortilla strips, plus green salad with romaine, jicama, citrus, mango and cumin lime dressing: and flan for dessert. The menu for Thursday night is Pappardelle Bolognese topped with shaved parmesan and served with French bread, Caesar salad, and cranberry pie for dessert.