Special Bluegrass

Since The Special Consensus bluegrass band came together in 1975 the four-person acoustic group has expanded its musical experience and audience. Not long after they began touring nationally in 1979 the Chicago-based band appeared in Boonville in a "Thespian Hall Tonight" concert. They created a program for bluegrass music in schools across the country. They toured for three seasons in the musical "Cotton Patch Gospel" written by Harry Chapin. With orchestral arrangements of some of their repertoire, the band has performed with symphony orchestras since 1993. They have toured internationally and appeared as featured guests on the few national television and radio shows which include bluegrass music. Greg Cahill, banjo, is the founding member of the group; Colby Maddox plays mandolin; Andrea Roberts plays bass; and Chris Walz plays guitar. Their repertoire includes both original and traditional music in the style, as well as bluegrass renditions of country and Broadway music, bridging the gap between traditional and progressive styles.