William "Billy Mack" Hill performs at Government Cheese reunion. Photo by Paul Needham Photography 2011.

Late in the twentieth century some who lived in the central United States area were fortunate to have been involved in the regional phenomenon of Government Cheese, a band out of Bowling Green, Kentucky and one of the driving forces which propelled the astoundingly important ‘feel-good alternative rock’ into the history books.

I first met the members of the Cheese while I was in the alt-rock/new wave band Herman Nelson in the same area. We frequented many of the same clubs and I found their jubilant energy, along with their power melodies, ferociously fresh – I was an immediate fan.

Forward fast into the new millennium and Government Cheese reunion shows continue to sell out as many use them as a family-reunion type of event. Simultaneously, the quality of the music beckons new people to tap into the clear and distinct feel-good aspect of it, creating ever new unique crowds to share the music with.

Long time ‘Cheese-Head’ Pam Priddy states, “I went to all three reunion shows this year and was completely impressed with how tight they sounded. For me, the Cheese always reminds me of college days and the unbelievably excellent bands that came and went. We were young and all was good in the world.”

Like virtually any successful group, the Cheese have a specific, anticipated repertoire containing many audience favorites such as Camping on Acid, Come on Back to Bowling Green and Marry Me, Yellow Cling Peaches, and even their MTV debut Face to Face. There are many more as well, yet in the midst of all these excellent songs there is one which is so exceptional it could almost be considered to be the Cheese anthem – if there could be only one. The song I am referring to has been covered by other bands and must inevitably take some credit for the longevity of the group… Mammaw Drives the Bus (embedded below).

‘Mammaw’  is an affectionate homage to the elders of our lives who are in part responsible for making it all possible. Mammaw comes to us in the form of a phenomenal, party, alt-rock song with a smooth hook which leaves one savoring more. Its affinity is obvious in the crowds. Long time ‘Cheese-Head’ Ginny Alden explains, “Mammaw is a great song; every Cheese fan knows and loves this song. It is one of the primary ones they are known for. The Cheese t-shirt I chose to get actually has Mammaw on the front of it[!]”

Mammaw was penned by bass player Billy Mack Hill, who is an extremely non-presumptuous, personable being. He was born in Cave City, Kentucky and is humble about being the author of such an absolutely phenomenal alt-rock classic. After the Cheese’s official end-date he created his solo project, Moral Chain of Custody, which, too, is a critical success spawning two albums and many collaborations. His current regrouping with his Cheese colleagues – along with seeing many old friends – has obviously thrilled him.

I am ecstatic that he graciously accepted my request for a 10-question interview about one of the all time most excellent alt-rocks song ever, Mammaw Drives the Bus.

RS:  Thank you, Billy, for agreeing to do this interview about this deliriously excellent song. First, how did Mammaw originally come about, from inspiration to actually writing it?

Billy: Flora Hill, my grandmother, studied music at the Conservatory of Music in Rochester, New York and later taught music in public school. After my grandfather passed [in ‘54], ‘Mammaw’ moved in and lived with us in Horse Cave. That was me, mom, dad, a sister, three brothers and Mammaw under one roof! And with [only] one bathroom!

Our house was a three-ring circus, filled with music and candid disclosures. Mammaw would slap her knee telling stories and entertaining all that enter our home. Dad coined phrases that left me speechless such as, “You need to go camping like you need 40 motor scooters up your ass,” and “run with losers, be a loser.” Mammaw Drives the Bus was written to celebrate her lovable wackiness.

RS:  Did you feel inspired when you wrote it?

Billy:  Not so much at the time. We were rehearsing in Mammaw’s piano studio in Horse Cave and she kept sticking her head in the door and acting silly. The song grew out of those initial encounters with the band and it was really just a goof.  Everyone that met her, including my cheese bandmates, would comment that she had a fun, wacky personality. The song has become endearing to me over the years as I get to share Mammaw stories and pay tribute to a wonderful lady.

RS:  So the verse lyrics were also directly inspired by people and/or events.

Billy:  Yes. The verses describe how Mammaw came to live with my family and the chorus is figurative in that Mammaw never actually drove our bus/van – but was with us in spirit.

RS:  Aahhh – so driving the bus is an analogy – excellent. How long had the band been together when you wrote it, and what was the condition of it at the time emotionally?

Bill:  Not long, less than six months. We were on a high note. I was just getting to know the guys and it was very exciting to be in a band that was getting some attention.

RS:  Did you realize it was awesome when you wrote it?

Billy:  Not really. In those early days we would share songs to consider if they were worthy of playing out. They liked it enough to play it in public and it received a decent reception. I thought that it would fade from the set list within a year of being introduced.

RS:  Did the song morph much from your original version and the final Cheese release version?

Billy:  It really has not changed since we began playing it in Mammaw’s studio.

RS:  Were you personally in a ‘good place’ in your life when you wrote it?

Billy:  I was in good place. I remember thinking that these guys are going somewhere and I’m going to hitch a ride – lol!

RS:  What feedback have you received about the song?

Billy:  All good and humbling to see crowds singing the words during the shows.

RS:  Are there any notable incidences relating to the song that you can recall?

Billy:  We had a show at the Red Barn at U of L on the same day of Mammaw’s funeral. We had flowers from the service on the stage and Tommy gave a very moving life summary tribute before we played the song. That was special.

RS:  Less about the song but – How do you feel about your overall experiences with the Cheese after all these years?

Billy:  The first half was wonderful for me – as well as are the reunions. The second half of our active time together, I had become increasingly dependent on alcohol and slipped into a very, depressing dark place. I contributed very little to the band then. However, after we disbanded I began doing environmental work for the Kentucky Department for Environmental Protection. I also married my wife, Lauren Berman of Nashville’s Sha Sha Boom and we have a beautiful, beautiful girl, Sophie. She’s 8 and shows much musical promise. Some of my best work shows up on my solo records with the Moral Chain of Custody – with the help of many BG and Nashville artists. The Cheese reunion shows have been and are an absolute blast however. We are all still genuinely great friends.

RS: Thank you, Billy Mack Hill.

Mammaw Drives the Bus Lyrics by Government Cheese

Pappaw died in 54 and Mammaw moved in with the family.

I wasn’t even born.

Some grandmas cook and grandmas sew but Mammaw likes to hang around with us.

Now Mammaw rides with us

Up the hills and down the highways

Mammaw drives the bus and we go everywhere

When Mammaw drives the bus we go everywhere

Now Mammaw’s hair is white as snow and she’s become so bored with all that’s real.

Immune to all the thrills.

Now she don’t like that TV stuff

Mammaw likes to hang around with us

Now Mammaw rides with us

Up the hills and down the highways

Mammaw drives the bus and we go everywhere

When Mammaw drives the bus we go everywhere

Well I never thought that I’d see the day when we would be so nuts to trust our gear and all our lives to Mammaw and magic yellow bus.

About the author: Ron Surface is a local Media Producer and has been in local bands such as Herman Nelson and Crack Whore.  www.northernlightsmedia.net/