Special Consensus

Chicago, IL – October 1, 2025 – Legendary bluegrass band Special Consensus is entering an exciting new chapter as longtime bassist Dan Eubanks announces his departure after 12 years with the group. Eubanks will continue touring with Special C through November 15, after which he will pursue a solo career in teaching and performing. Stepping into his role will be bassist and vocalist Nico Humby, who joins the band in December.

Band founder and leader Greg Cahill offered heartfelt words about Dan’s contributions and looked ahead with excitement as he welcomed Nico into the Special C family:

Dan Eubanks has been a great friend, a phenomenal musician, a total team player, a brother to all of us, and a wonderful human being. That is why it is so bittersweet that he will be saying goodbye to us Special C fellows after 12 years of riding the highways and byways, the friendly and not-so-friendly skies, all over the USA and many foreign lands as well. While we wish him all the very best as he launches his solo teaching and performing career, it truly will take some time to let his departure sink in. He will play with Special C through November 15, so we encourage all the friends he has made to come out to shake his hand, hug him, or even tell a terrible joke. He appreciates the bluegrass community so much, and he is not leaving; he is retooling. Wishing you all the very best, bro Dan!

Welcome, Nico Humby!
With the departure of our longtime bass player/singer/friend/brother in bluegrass, Dan Eubanks, we are extremely fortunate to have Nico Humby, a class-A musician, join Special C in December. Currently living in Brooklyn, NY, Nico has made his presence known in and around the Bluegrass scene for the last decade. He has had the honor of offering his groove and presence as a bassist and vocalist to groups like Jeff Scroggins and Colorado, the Greg Blake Band, and Jesse Brock & Streamliner. Along with his musical talents, Nico spends his time working as an illustrator and photographer, creating merch, album cover art, and posters for Bluegrass Festivals and bands around the world. Nico spent his formative years living in Alberta, Canada, where he often returns to visit family, sure to play Special C's version of 'Alberta Bound' on repeat during his travels.

As Special Consensus reflects on five decades of music and friendship, the band also celebrates its continued success, including Greg Blake’s recent win of the 2025 IBMA Male Vocalist of the Year Award, his second career honor in that category. With milestones both past and present, Special C invites friends and fans to join them in celebrating a future every bit as exciting as their legacy.

Chattanooga, TN (Sept 18, 2025) - Acclaimed bluegrass artist Greg Blake has been named the 2025 International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) Male Vocalist of the Year, marking his second career win after first receiving the honor in 2023.

The award was presented during the IBMA Bluegrass Music Awards Show on September 18, 2025, at the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Auditorium in Chattanooga, Tennessee, the organization’s first year hosting World of Bluegrass® week in its new home city. The ceremony was hosted by actor, comedian, and banjo player Steve Martin alongside Grammy-winning banjoist Alison Brown of Compass Records, capping a week that also included the IBMA Business Conference, IBMA Bluegrass Ramble, and the IBMA Bluegrass Live!® Festival.

Born and raised in West Virginia, Blake is widely hailed as “a singer’s singer,” praised for a voice that marries tenderness and strength. He is the lead vocalist and guitarist for the Grammy-nominated Special Consensus, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary with the Compass Records release Been All Around the World.

“I’m deeply honored and grateful,” said Blake. “IBMA has been my musical family for decades. Thank you to my bandmates in Special C, my friends at Turnberry Records and Compass Records, the DJs and fans who keep this music alive, and my wife Joy Sue for believing in every note.”

In addition to his band work, Blake’s solo projects, Songs of the Heart and Home and People, Places, and Songs (Turnberry Records), have earned acclaim for authenticity and connection to tradition. A five-time SPBGMA Guitarist of the Year winner, Blake is respected not only as a premier vocalist but also as a skilled instrumentalist.

August 11, 2025 (Chicago, IL) – Greg Cahill, banjo master, IBMA Distinguished Achievement Award recipient, and band leader of the Grammy-nominated bluegrass band Special Consensus, is proud to announce the band’s upcoming 50th Anniversary Celebration in Chicago. This highly anticipated golden anniversary event will take place on Saturday, October 18, 2025, at 6:00 pm CST at the Old Town School of Folk Music (Gary and Laura Maurer Concert Hall), located at 4544 N Lincoln Ave.

Alison Brown, Grammy Award winner and co-founder of Compass Records, said, “In my opinion, Special Consensus is Chicago’s greatest gift to bluegrass music. It’s been a pleasure to produce their past seven albums, including this year’s golden anniversary release, Been All Around This World, which features some of the band’s most notable alums. I have no doubt that their 50^th anniversary show at The Old Town School will be one for the history books!”

Greg Cahill shared, “We did our first official band reunion concert in 1990, celebrating the fifteenth year of Special Consensus as a full-time touring and recording bluegrass band. We’ve continued doing reunion shows every five years at the Old Town School of Folk Music. This year is very special, as we celebrate 50 years of Special C.”  

Please join current band members Greg Cahill, Dan Eubanks, Greg Blake, Brian McCarty, and numerous band alums for this exciting event. Former Special C members who have confirmed to appear on stage include Chris Jones, Dallas Wayne, Andrea Roberts, Marc Edelstein, Don Stiernberg, Scotty Salak, Justin Carbone, Keith Baumann, Rick Faris, Chris Walz, Tres Nugent, with more to be announced. 

The concert will feature songs from the band’s 22 recordings, performed by the musicians who originally recorded them. Fans can expect to hear songs such as “Chicago Barn Dance,” “Like A Train,” “Dream of Me,” “Squirrel Hunters,” “Alberta Bound,” and their most requested, “Carolina in the Pines.”

Tickets are $61 General Public ($50 + $11 fee) and $59 for Old Town School Members ($48 + $11 fee) and can be purchased at:

oldtownschool.org/concerts/2025/10-18-2025-special-consensus-50th-anniversary-concert/. 

For more information on Special Consensus, please visit specialc.com. 

More about Special Consensus:

Celebrating its 50th Anniversary in 2025, Special Consensus is a Grammy-nominated bluegrass band led by banjo master and IBMA Distinguished Achievement Award recipient Greg Cahill. With twenty-two albums, eight IBMA awards, and two Grammy nominations, the band is known for its distinctive blend of traditional bluegrass drive with contemporary harmonies and songwriting. Current members include Cahill, 2023 IBMA Male Vocalist of the Year award winner Greg Blake (guitar), who is nominated in the same category this year, Dan Eubanks (bass), and Brian McCarty (mandolin). Their dynamic sound continues to earn accolades, including the 2023 IBMA Collaborative Recording and the 2024 inaugural Video of the Year Award for “Alberta Bound.”

Special Consensus tours worldwide and records for Compass Records, most recently releasing Been All Around This World to mark their 50-year milestone. Their legacy includes international performances, symphony collaborations, and the long-running Traditional American Music (TAM) educational program. With a deep respect for bluegrass roots and an ever-evolving creative spirit, Special C remains one of the genre’s most enduring and innovative bands.

##

For media and booking inquiries, please contact:
Penni McDaniel, Hope River Entertainment
770-367-1480, penni@hoperiverentertainment.com

For music requests, please contact:
Compass Records, Radio Promotion: radio@compassrecords.com

Special Consensus Celebrates 50 Years with “Been All Around This World,” A Star-Studded Bluegrass Reunion

By Christian Lamitschka for Country Music News International Magazine

The legendary bluegrass band, Special Consensus, is marking a monumental milestone: their 50th anniversary. To commemorate this golden occasion, the multiple IBMA Award-winners and two-time GRAMMY nominees are releasing “Been All Around This World,” a celebratory album featuring a stellar lineup of current and former band members. The highly anticipated album, also titled “Been All Around This World,” is set to release on June 6th, offering fans a rich tapestry of contemporary bluegrass that honors the band’s storied legacy.

To whet the appetites of bluegrass enthusiasts, Special Consensus has unveiled the album’s lead single and title track, “Been All Around This World,” available now. This captivating track is a testament to the band’s enduring spirit and collaborative ethos, bringing together three of their most notable alumni: Robbie Fulks, Josh Williams, and Ashby Frank, alongside the current lineup of Greg Blake (guitar, vocals), Brian McCarty (mandolin, vocals), Dan Eubanks (bass, vocals), and the band’s founder, Greg Cahill (banjo).

Producer Alison Brown masterfully arranged “Been All Around This World,” crafting a rich vocal tapestry through intricate three-key modulations. The song showcases the individual talents of Josh Williams, Greg Blake, and Robbie Fulks, each taking a turn on a step-out verse, while also highlighting the harmonious duets between Frank and Brian. This track serves as an enticing preview of the album’s collaborative theme, which also features performances from past Special Consensus members Dallas Wayne, Rick Farris, and Chris Jones.

Greg Cahill, the heart and soul of Special Consensus, shared his enthusiasm for the project: “It was such a joy to be back in the studio with the band and a cast of former band members to make this recording. Dan, Greg, Brian, and I so appreciated Robbie Fulks, Josh Williams, and Ashby Frank for joining us on ‘Been All Around This World’! They were each in the band at different times over the past decades, so bringing them together at the same time with us was indeed very ‘special.’ The song also felt very appropriate for us since 2025 is the 50th anniversary of Special C as a professional touring and recording band.”

For half a century, Special Consensus has been a driving force in elevating bluegrass music, consistently pushing the genre’s boundaries while staying true to its roots. Hailing from Chicago, the band has garnered numerous accolades, including GRAMMY nominations and multiple IBMA awards, solidifying their status as a cornerstone of the bluegrass community. Their ability to seamlessly blend classic sounds with contemporary influences has not only earned them critical acclaim but also inspired generations of musicians and fans alike.

Special Consensus’s impact on bluegrass music is undeniable. They have played a crucial role in preserving the genre’s rich history while simultaneously exploring new sonic territories. Their dedication to musical excellence and their unwavering commitment to the bluegrass community have made them a respected and enduring force in the industry.

“Been All Around This World” is more than just a song; it’s a celebration of a legacy, a testament to the power of collaboration, and a heartfelt tribute to the enduring spirit of bluegrass music. Available now on all digital platforms via Compass Records, this single offers a glimpse into the magic that awaits in the full album, set to release on June 6th. As Special Consensus embarks on their 50th year, they continue to inspire and captivate audiences with their timeless music and unwavering dedication to the art of bluegrass.

Our Alberta Bound video won the first-ever IBMA Video of the Year award! We actually tied for the honor with Authentic Unlimited, and we are all very happy to have received this award. We thank all of our Canadian friends who appeared on the video with us - it truly was an international effort.

Change is in the air for the band as our great friend and longtime booking person, Maria Nadauld, has decided to retire. We have had a wonderful 11-year working relationship, and we thank Maria profusely for all the great work she has done for us to keep us in business for the past 11 years.

We welcome Penni McDaniel of Hope River Entertainment. She is our friend and a highly respected publicist and booking person who has been booking bands for over 20 years. We are very happy to be on the Hope River roster and look forward to working with Penni.

ALBERTA BOUND IS 2023 IBMA COLLABORATIVE RECORDING OF THE YEAR AND GREG BLAKE IS MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR!

 

What a wonderful 2023 IBMA Awards Show event it was for Special C! Alberta Bound, from our 2023 Compass Records release Great Blue North, won the Collaborative Recording of the Year Award, and our esteemed lead singer/guitar player, Greg Blake won the Male Vocalist of the Year Award. We were genuinely honored, very surprised and most thankful to have this support from the bluegrass community. Special thanks to our phenomenal producer Alison Brown, to our Compass Records team/family, to all the DJs who play our music and to all our friends/fans who support and vote for us! 

We must also thank our booking person Maria Nadauld for keeping us working and our families for always supporting us throughout our musical journey.

We were honored and very pleasantly surprised to receive the 2020 IBMA Song of the Year Award for Chicago Barn Dance, the title song from our 2020 Compass Records release. Thanks to Becky Buller, Missy Raines and Alison Brown for composing such a great song, thanks to our superb producer and friend Alison Brown for always raising the bar for us, thanks to the Compass Records team/family for working so hard for all their artists, thanks to the IBMA for working so hard to keep us connected even in these difficult times, thanks to our booking person Maria Nadauld for keeping us touring and thanks to our wonderful families and fans/friends for always supporting Special C throughout our journey and for giving us the voter support that has enabled us to receive IBMA awards. Sincerest thanks - we could not do this without all of you!

While Rick’s leaving is bittersweet, we feel extremely fortunate that our good friend and fabulous singer and guitar player Greg Blake is joining us for the next chapter of the Special C journey. Greg is very well known in the world of bluegrass music, having played with several midwestern bands, his Greg Blake Band and, most recently, with Jeff Scroggins and Colorado. He has a new recording about to be released on the Turnberry Records label and Dan, Nate, and I are very much looking forward to touring and recording with Greg as we begin to emerge from the pandemic. Greg will begin appearing with us at our next scheduled performances in Florida in April.