The Hillbilly Way

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The PovertyNeck Hillbillies is a country music band from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States. Chris Higbee (fiddle player, who is a classically trained violin player) found a sign on his grandfather's farm reading Poverty Neck Lane which eventually turned into the band's name.In early 2000, a chance meeting between Chris Higbee and Chris "Abby" Abbondanza led to beginning of The PovertyNeck Hillbillies. Five years later, The PovertyNeck Hillbillies are a six member band formed from the roots of talent, ambition and a genuine passion for country music. Chris Higbee (fiddle), Abby (lead vocals), Dave Cramer (keyboards, vocals), Ryan Lucotch (drums), Jeff Volek (bass), and Junior (electric guitar) are the magic six from the outskirts of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania that make this group unlike any other country act that is out there.

Abby's vocals blend a deep, country twang with a hint of rock 'n roll gravel, and are backed by powerful harmonies in songs such as, "She Rides Wild Horses" and "Mr. Right Now." The six piece band provides the full, articulate sound that makes The PovertyNeck Hillbillies unique in their genre.

As the official band of the Pittsburgh Steelers, PNH has a deep loyalty to their hometown soil, where in 2005 their debut release sold over 2,100 units in the first week of distribution. "Hillbilly State of Mind" sold over 30,000 units regionally, attracting national attention from the Country Music Association, who promptly named the band one of the "top independent artists of 2005."

The PovertyNeck Hillbillies continued on their successful journey when in early 2006, Dave Steele (program director for K105, Youngstown) and Frank Bell (VP of programming for Froggy 98.3, Pittsburgh) directed president of Rust Records, Ken Cooper toward the phenomenon that is The PovertyNeck Hillbillies. In February of '06, Cooper signed the group to Rust Nashville and the band began work on their self-titled album, which features the hit singles, "The Hillbilly Way" and "Mr. Right Now." "Mr. Right Now" has been a huge success including the hit music video featuring Ben Roethlisberger of the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Producer/manager, Bob Corbin (Kenny Rogers, Hank Williams Jr. and Alabama) has been with the band since the beginning and is the songwriter behind some of the album's greatest tunes. The album will hit stores on June 6th, 2006 and will come with a bonus two hour DVD featuring a live concert/documentary, produced by WQED in Pittsburgh. The documentary has been in syndicated rotation on PBS stations in over twenty states nationwide. As regional heavyweights with national radio, television and media attention, The PovertyNeck Hillbillies are rising stars.

The PovertyNeck Hillbillies were the top selling independent act at the 2006 CMA Music Festival.^[1]

"Mr. Right Now" video, featured Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger - was in the GAC Top 20 Countdown for a total of thirteen weeks, eight of which were at the number two position.

The Povertyneck Hillbillies signed with Rust Records in 2006; however, they left the label in 2007 due to financial problems.

Currently the PovertyNeck Hillbillies are working on a new album.

• Povertyneck Hillbillies (2006)
• Don't Look Back (2004)
• Hillbilly State Of Mind (2002)

• Chris "Abby" Abbondanza: vocals, acoustic guitar
• Dave Cramer: keyboard
• David "Junior" Guthrie: guitar
• Chris Higbee: fiddle
• Ryan Lucotch: drums
• Jeff Volek: bass, accordion

• Bob "Crafty" Crafton steel guitar,guitar

• Povertyneck Hillbillies official page

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