The PovertyNeck Hillbillies From Fayette County Pennsylvania

Local teen's Jessica Granato and Joanna Campbell, both from Fayette County patiently wait in line with other adoring fans to get their first real taste of local legends, the PovertyNeck Hillbillies as the entire band is handing out autographs on their newly released CD, “Mr. Right Now” at the Belle Vernon, Pennsylvania Walmart. This is a typical sighting as the PovertyNeck Hillbillies are local celebrities that have managed to not allow stardom to get in the way of their down home way of life. 

These are true Pennsylvanians that will never forget where they came from, and they make that apparently obvious in the way that they deal with the local people that love them so much. The fans can be seen for miles proudly wearing their PovertyNeck Hillbillies or PNH T-shirts that proudly state on the back of the bright T’s, “Hillbilly in Training” or “Hillbilly Attitude.”

Fayette County, one of the poorest counties in Pennsylvania is home to one of the richest talents to hit the area by storm. The PovertyNeck Hillbillies have erupted almost overnight with their raw hillbilly style, and even with their popularity they have never forgotten where their roots are firmly planted. The bands founder, Chris Higbee, a classically trained violinist grew up in Dawson, Pennsylvania on PovertyNeck farm. 

He learned the value of hard work and its pay offs from his father Frosty Higbee who was known as a hard-working businessman. Chris Higbee started the PovertyNeck Hillbillies Band in 2000 with his drummer Ryan Lucotch. Their first gig was held at the Dawson Grange Fairgrounds. Later that year they found one of the best keyboard players right from Uniontown, Pennsylvania, a stone’s throw from Dawson, Pennsylvania. Dave Cramer met Chris Higbee through fate.