The Special Consensus is a four-person acoustic bluegrass band that formed in the Chicago area in 1975. The band has released 15 recordings and has appeared on numerous National Public Radio programs and cable television shows, including The Nashville Network and the Grand Ole Opry. International tours have brought the band to Canada, Europe, South America, Ireland and the United Kingdom.  The Special C has appeared in concert with many symphony orchestras and has brought an informative in-school presentation to schools nationally and internationally since 1984. Band leader/banjo player Greg Cahill is the current President of the Nashville-based Foundation for Bluegrass Music and the former President/Board Chair of the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA); he was awarded the IBMA Distinguished Achievement Award at the 2011 World of Bluegrass event in Nashville. Other band members include bass player David Thomas, guitarist Dustin Benson and mandolin player Rick Faris.