The group featured Sam Bush (mandolin), Jerry Douglas (dobro), Béla Fleck (banjo), Mark O'Connor (violin, guitar, mandolin), and Edgar Meyer (bass).
The group, minus Fleck, played on "Nothing but a Child" from Steve Earle's 1988 album, Copperhead Road under the name "Telluride".
The catalyst for their progressive approach to bluegrass was Sam Bush's group, New Grass Revival, in 1971.
The music of Strength in Numbers is influenced by the bluegrass virtuoso music of earlier artists Bill Monroe and the Bluegrass boys, and Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs.
This music uses core bluegrass instrumentation with rhythmic features and solo playing styles of jazz.