ENTERTAINMENT: Chicago bluegrass band are Westport bound

Westport is getting ready to welcome celebrated Chicago bluegrass band Special Consensus, who will be performing in Matt Molloy’s Yard Bar, Bridge Street, on Sunday, January 19.
Special Consensus have released 21 records since forming in 1979 and received seven awards from the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA), as well as two Grammy nominations. The band’s leader and founder, Chicago-born banjoist Greg Cahill, has received IBMA’s prestigious Distinguished Achievement Award and has been inducted into the Society for the Preservation of Bluegrass Music in America Hall of Greats.
The other current band members are Dan Eubanks (bass), Brian McCarty (mandolin) and 2023 IBMA Male Vocalist of the Year Greg Blake (guitar). Together, these musicians effortlessly support each other and consistently maintain their bluegrass centre whether they’re playing a jazz-tinged instrumental or a song from any of their award-winning recordings.
Special Consensus’ sound is grounded in a deep appreciation and understanding of bluegrass music, incorporating both the drive and harmonies of the traditional sound with the more contemporary sounds and repertoire of today.
‘Rivers and Roads’, the band’s 19th recording, was nominated for a 2018 Grammy and was named 2018 IBMA Album of the Year. The tune ‘Squirrel Hunters’ from that recording received the Instrumental Recorded Performance of the Year award.
Their 2020 release, ‘Chicago Barn Dance’, celebrates the long-standing connection of country and bluegrass music with Chicago, from the time of the WLS National Barn Dance that was a precursor to the Grand Ole Opry. The title song received the 2020 IBMA Song of the Year award.
The album ‘Great Blue North’, released in May of 2023, was made as a hat tip to Canada, where they have toured for four decades. All the songs featured on the recording were written by Canadian writers and numerous Canadian musician friends of the band make guest appearances. Their take on Gordon Lightfoot’s song ‘Alberta Bound’ received the 2023 IBMA Collaborative Recording of the Year award, as well as the first-ever 2024 IBMA Video of the Year award.
Beyond Canada, international tours have brought the band to Australia, Europe, South America and the UK. Their current tour will see them play several dates around Ireland and the UK before they return to the US in February, where they will continue to tour for the rest of the year.
The January 19 gig in Matt Molloy’s Yard Bar starts at 8pm (doors open 7.30pm). To book tickets (€25 each), visit www.ticketsource.eu and search for Special Consensus.