Another forthcoming CD release from the folks at Pinecastle Records is Signs (PRC1169) from Special Consensus.

Greg Cahill, with the band on tour in Ireland, took a few moments away from preparing for RTE Radio’s Mooney Show last week to speak about the songs on the album. ‚Ķ.

“The songs on Signs include many original selections; Justin wrote three of the songs and Ashby wrote three, including the title song Signs. I wrote the one instrumental (with some help from Ashby), which means that six of the twelve songs were written by band members.

We always include a swing song and a quartet song on every Special C recording and this one is no exception. Ashby brought in the old Statler Brothers classic I’ll Go To My Grave Lovin’ You and we thought that would be a great quartet to include since many of the country music fans might recognize it.

We were very fortunate to have two songs given to us by Ronnie Bowman, a phenomenal Nashville songwriter and musician, who co-authored the swing song (Simply) Talkin’ About It Just Don’t Get It Done and a beautiful gospel song Footprints. That song featured the very first ever guest female vocalist on a Special C recording; Sonya Issacs singing the high baritone part.

Too Late Now is a great song by the Wrights – a somewhat “funky groove” type of selection – and What A Beautiful Day (for the Lord To Come Again) is a traditional gospel song Justin brought to us.

And finally a great traditional song by Jake Landers’ Mountain Girl.

We enjoyed recording this album and hope our friends and fans enjoy the music!”

Signs consists of a dozen songs in all. After just one play of the CD, I am very impressed; it contains some of the best love songs collected on one album in a long time. Ashby Franks’ title song cleverly alludes to the interpretations of messages from the opposite gender. A timeless issue. Franks also penned My Heart Breaks Again. While Justin Carbone’s collaboration with Becky Buller, Gone To Carolina and his Lonesome Lesson Learned also demonstrate that Special Consensus has two excellent songwriters in its midst.

Here’s a sample of Gone To Carolina…

Listen now:

David Thomas, the third lead vocalist, does a fine job on the afore-mentioned Talkin’ About It Just Don’t Get It Done and Mountain Girl.

The CD, which is due for general release on 24 March, is a cert for lots of airplay and perhaps some tangible recognition by those that decide to whom the industry’s awards go.

Word had reached us about a banjo player being featured in a number of recent episodes of The Jerry Springer Show – the notorious “reality TV” show based in Chicago. The banjo picking was intended not as a performance, but to add a flavor to a hillbilly-themed episode.

When we further learned that the banjo player in question was Greg Cahill, founder of Special Consensus, President of the International Bluegrass Music Association and long-time Chicago resident, I knew there had to be an interesting story behind the Springer appearances.

When I reached him a few days ago, his first reaction was “I was hoping to keep this under the radar, but it seems the word is definitely out.” Knowing Greg to be a serious musician and a truly dignified gentleman, I asked him to fill us in on the back story, which he has graciously agreed to do.

“I have been involved in the Chicago studio scene for about 30 years ‚Äì which is a primary reason for not moving to Nashville years ago (in addition to having family here). I have played on countless commercial jingles, recordings and radio and television shows in Chicago studios over the years, but the majority of commercial studio work began moving to Los Angeles at the beginning of the New Millennium (as it had moved from New York City to Chicago in the 1990s). There remain a small number of quality studios in Chicago and I am very fortunate to continue to maintain my position as a first call banjo player (in spite of spending about 150-160 days a year on the road with The Special Consensus). My studio connection has afforded me the opportunity to play the banjo on various television show soundtracks (including the Oprah show); it is because of this connection that I was contacted to play the banjo on the Jerry Springer Show, which appears on the NBC network.

I was very reluctant to accept the offer at first because I find it extremely offensive when people make fun of people publicly (and I never watch the show for that reason). But a producer of the Springer show contacted me personally to assure me that the folks who appear on the show are fully aware of the presentation of the show and are happy to be part of it; the purpose of the show is simply to have fun. My primary concern was that I would jeopardize my studio connections, especially with NBC, if I refused to appear on the show so I agreed to make an appearance. Part of my agreement with the producers was that I would wear a hat and that my name would not be listed in any show credits. (more…)

Tonight is a special night for Greg Cahill and the guys in Special Consensus.

When they perform tonight at The Livery in Benton Harbor, MI they will not only throw down some solid bluegrass for the listening audience, they’ll also be throwing down a few of the venue’s newest offerings. The Livery is both a micro brewery and a music room, and they have just debuted a special brew called Special C.

It’s a dark Czech lager in honor of Special Consensus’ long career in the bluegrass business.

"For over 30 years banjo player and good friend Greg Cahill has led the world famous Bluegrass band Special Consensus. Always featuring the best up and coming talent, this beer is named in their honor! Deep mahogany in color, this lager has a rich malt flavor balanced by an assertive hop character."

Mandolinist Ashby Frank also passed along that they will start work on a new CD as soon as they return from this weekend’s trip.

Niall Toner will be on Ireland’s RT?â Radio 1 this week with the first two installments of his Nashville Sessions series, recorded while he was in attendance at the IBMA World Of Bluegrass convention earlier this fall.

These shows will air at 1:00 p.m. (EST – 6:00 p.m. local UK time) on December 27 and 28 and feature interviews with several performers, songwriters and instrument builders Niall caught up with in Nashville. Guests include Greg Cahill, Pete Wernick, Barry and Holly Tashian, Steve Huber, Goldheart, Broken Wire, Steve Kaufmann, Keith Sewell and a number of others.

Additional shows to be broadcast in 2008 will be announced shortly after the new year.

RT?â Radio 1 broadcasts over the air at 88-89 FM, and listeners worldwide can tune in online via live audio streaming.

Niall is also hard at work finishing up his latest CD, We Believe In Clean Endings. He says it will feature 13 of his new songs, and a release date for next year should be announced by February.