From playing local gigs at ski resorts in exchange for free lift tickets, the band is composed of Michael Kang (acoustic/electric mandolin, electric guitar, and violin), Michael Travis (drums and percussion), Bill Nershi (acoustic guitar, lap steel guitar, and electric slide guitar), Kyle Hollingsworth (piano, organ, Rhodes, and accordion), and Keith Moseley (bass guitar), and, in 2006, Jason Hann (auxiliary percussion).
The String Cheese Incident has been described as a democratic ensemble rather than a band, since all of the members contribute their own original compositions to the group’s burgeoning library and share the vocal burden on a number of cover versions as well as their own songs. If a de facto leader had to be named, such a title would probably fall upon Nershi, who is responsible for the bulk of the group’s original song library.
From their management, Madison House Inc.:
"The String Cheese Incident has emerged as one of America’s most significant independent bands. Born in 1993 in Colorado's Rocky Mountains, SCI has since released 6 albums, 3 DVDs and countless live recordings from their relentless tour schedule. Their 14 year history is packed full of surreal experiences, epic moments, groundbreaking involvement and huge accomplishments. They have been recognized for their commitment to musical creativity and integrity, for their community spirit, philanthropic endeavors, and for their innovative approach to the business of music.
When The String Cheese Incident’s growth first started gaining momentum over a decade ago, when the internet was just beginning to take hold and the major-label business model was failing, the band decided to make music on their own terms.
Since then, The String Cheese Incident has gone on to carve out a completely different approach to the business of music; they are truly pioneers of a new way of “making a band.” With the World Wide Web as their tool, SCI was among the first artists to disseminate information via the internet, such as tour dates, release information, and other news, to their growing fan base. Rather than doing business on such terms as “the bottom line,” The String Cheese Incident put their music and their fans first, opening companies of their own, including a ticketing company, a merchandise company and a fan travel agency, to best serve their community. The band’s record label, SCI Fidelity Records, has always operated under the same ideals. Even early on, SCI Fidelity embraced downloadable music and file sharing, delivering SCI’s “On the Road” series, where every show the band plays is made available for download on the internet. Whether they realized it at the time or not, The String Cheese Incident was inventing grassroots band development. Today, literally hundreds of bands are using some version of this same approach to building a band.
The String Cheese Incident’s commitment goes well beyond their immediate community, and even beyond the music community as a whole. Early on, the band took a serious interest in giving back to the communities that they visited, and they were among the first performers to encourage “Green” shows and tours. SCI’s support has helped give rise to such not-for-profit organizations as Conscious Alliance, Rock the Earth, and Head Count. In 2002, when the band’s right to sell tickets to their own shows became threatened by ticketing giant Ticketmaster, the band stood strong for the independent music community and filed a lawsuit against the company. All the while, The String Cheese Incident has stayed committed to music as a creative endeavor, not just in their recordings but also in their live performances. The list of SCI’s special guests and collaborators is long and diverse. Their annual events such as Horning’s Hideout, and holiday shows such as New Year’s and Halloween, have helped redefine the concert experience and has garnered the band a reputation as live music vibe innovators."
Some side groups are eoto, zilla with Jamie Janover, Zuvuya, Honkytonk Homeslice, Billy nershi's Plue Planet, Pangaea, The Trancident & Keller Williams with Moseley Droll and Sipe
How Mountain Girls Can Love
The String Cheese Incident Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Get down boys, go back home
back to the girls you love
treat her right, never wrong
how mountain girls can love
Ridin' tonight in the high cold wind
on the trail of the old lonesome pine
wond'rin' why I left you behind
(chorus)
Remember the night when we strolled down the lane
our hearts were so gay and happy then
you whispered to me as I held you close
we hoped that night would never end
(chorus)
The String Cheese Incident's song "How Mountain Girls Can Love" is a bluegrass song that celebrates the virtues of mountain women. The chorus of the song implores the listener to "get down boys, go back home / back to the girls you love / treat her right, never wrong / how mountain girls can love". The song explores the idea that mountain girls are loyal, honest, and authentic, values that are perhaps seen as being harder to find in other types of women. The verses of the song tell the story of a man who has left his mountain girl behind and is now regretting it, thinking of her while he rides through the high cold wind on the trail of the old lonesome pine. He remembers a night when they were happy and in love, but he left her behind and now he's feeling blue.
The song celebrates the virtues of mountain women and contrasts them with city women, suggesting that mountain women are more down-to-earth, honest, and loyal. The song also tells a story of regret and longing, and suggests that the only way to be happy is to be with the one you love. Ultimately, the song is a celebration of mountain life and the values that are cherished in that way of life.
Line by Line Meaning
Get down boys, go back home
Leave your current location and return to your hometown
back to the girls you love
Return to the women you love and care about
treat her right, never wrong
Respect and cherish your partner's feelings, never mistreat or hurt them
how mountain girls can love
A acknowledgment that the depicted love is unique to mountain girls
Ridin' tonight in the high cold wind
Traveling in difficult conditions
on the trail of the old lonesome pine
Following a path through nature, likely feeling lonely
thinkin' of you and feelin' so blue
Missing and longing for the person who the song is directed towards, causing sadness
wond'rin' why I left you behind
Questioning why the singer parted from the person they miss
Remember the night when we strolled down the lane
Recalling a happy memory when they walked together
our hearts were so gay and happy then
Happy and carefree during the memory
you whispered to me as I held you close
Sharing a sweet moment together
we hoped that night would never end
Wishing the positive experience would continue
Contributed by Riley O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Dana Wright
on Water
“Phosphorescent, luminescent, nature’s show astounds me”
Dana Wright
on Water
“Cicadas, in minor, all sing a melody so inventing” 100% correct.