Special Consensus (L-R) David Thomas, Ashby Frank, Greg Cahill and Justin Carbone

Soon after taking down their Christmas decorations, Special Consensus band members will be packing their bags for a trip across the Atlantic Ocean.

“We are preparing to embark on our bi-annual tour of Ireland and the United Kingdom,” said band leader, Greg Cahill of Chicago.” I have been completing this tour (which has grown considerably in the past decade) since the early 1990s and always look forward to seeing our many friends and fans in the region.

Special C will play 21 days of the 22 the band will be in Europe. Cahill laughingly calls the schedule ” a rather full dance card.”

The band will be gone from Jan. 14 to Feb. 3.

Despite the hectic performing schedule, Cahill considers the bi-annual trip a sheer treat.

“We enjoy visiting with everyone in every town and village, and we always have wonderful after-concert jam sessions with the local musicians,” he said. “The only real problem is that we stay up way too late and then have to get up way too early to drive to the next town, while the local musicians who stayed up with us get to sleep in!”

Cahill has lost count of his band’s trips across the sea, but he believes this will be either the 10th or 11th time for the venture.

The tour includes shows in Ireland, England and Scotland.

“We are very pleased that on this trip we will have the opportunity to perform at the famous Celtic Connections festival in Scotland, along with the likes of Abagail Washburn and Bela Fleck and Casey Driessen,” he said.

Special Consensus has finished recording a new CD for the Pinecastle Record label. It should released in late winter or early spring.

Members of Special Consensus include: Greg Cahill, Justin Carbone, Ashby Frank and David Thomas.