Special Consensus Archives - Bluegrass Today

Big switch for Special Consensus – Rick Faris out, Greg Blake in
February 26, 2021 | by John Lawless
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
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Graduating from the school of Special Consensus
December 15, 2020 | by Bill Conger
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
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Video Premiere: My Kind Of Town from Special Consensus
July 13, 2020 | by John Lawless
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
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Welcome Kent Faris!
July 3, 2020 | by John Lawless
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
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Chicago Barn Dance video from Special Consensus
June 1, 2020 | by John Lawless
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
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Chicago Barn Dance – Special Consensus
May 20, 2020 | by John Curtis Goad
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
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Chicago Barn Dance drops for Special Consensus
March 31, 2020 | by John Lawless
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
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Nate Burie to Special Consensus
November 12, 2019 | by John Lawless
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
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Congratulations Nick and Hana!
August 1, 2019 | by John Lawless
Nick Dumas and Hana Rass were married on July 27 at The Fiddler's Farm in Sturgeon Bay, WI. Nick is mandolinist with Special Consensus, and Hana is a two-time Wisconsin state fiddle champion. And yes, they met bluegrass cute. On Nick's
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Special Consensus reporting from Europe
October 26, 2018 | by Guest Contributor
As promised, Special Consensus is sharing their European tour with our readers. Here are a couple of brief reports. We were about to drive through Denmark to get to Oslo, Norway, where we played last night, and thought it would be
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