Interview with Abby, Chris and Dave
By Janelle Landauer
Who came up with your group name - The PovertyNeck Hillbillies? And, how did the name come about?
Chris: I did. It is the nickname for the farm I live on. A few years back when we were trying to name the band - I found a sign while cleaning out my garage that read, 'Poverty Neck Hillbillies.' I thought, wow! - that would be a great name for the band and we have kept it ever since.
How would you describe your style of music for those who haven't heard you yet?
Abby: The best way I know how to describe it is mainstream with a rock edge.
Chris: Our band is made up of the likes of many artists. We have a way of blending many styles and influences.
At what age did you begin singing? (for the instrument players only: What instruments do you play in the band and at what age did you begin playing?)
Dave: I started playing the piano at age 6 and started singing after joining the Povertyneck Hillbillies. Ryan started playing the drums when he was about 2, Jeff started playing at 4, umm..
Chris: I started playing the fiddle at 7 and Bob "Crafty" started playing at 13, I think..
Abby: I started singing about 8 years ago..
How and when did your first break in the music industry come about?
Chris: When we met Bob Corbin and he took us into the studio.
Dave: He ended up producing our two albums, "Don't Look Back" and "Hillbilly State of Mind". In 2005, we signed with an independent label called Rust Records, which is based out of Cleveland and soon to have an office in Nashville.
Abby: Since then, we have been in the studio, finished an album, released the current self-titled album and have been on tour promoting the album.
Do you have a favorite song on your new CD? If so, what is it and why is it your favorite song?
Abby: "The Hillbilly Way." I really think it sums up and makes a statement about our band.
What kind of songs do you look for (or write) when you go into the studio to record albums?
Abby: I basically do a majority of the writing. I really just try to write anything that will help to capture my true voice and feelings.
How would you describe the whole process of recording your new album and what is a typical day in the studio like for you?
Dave: You really have to change your thinking when you go into the studio versus performing live. It's much more - hmmm - scientific. Choosing (or writing) material, creating that live feeling without the energy of the fans going berserk in the front of the stages - I think it's much harder for us in the studio. We're getting better at it but we have a lot to learn.
One of our favorite songs of yours is: "One Night In New Orleans" How did this song come about and why did you decide to record it on this album?
Dave: We saw Blackhawk perform it live one night at an outdoor show. We instantly fell in love with the song. We thought it might fit us so we put it in our show and got such a positive response from it that we decided to record the song.
You guys have had a lot of success early on with your career. In what ways do you think this success will help to guide your career now that you're signed with Rust Records?
Chris: It will keep our feet on the ground. We have no silver spoon. Everything we have, we have worked hard to get. I feel like signing with Rust we have gained a great team who supports us as well as our music. With this team that has the same vision and motivation, we can only hope that things will continue to move forward.
What goals do you feel you have accomplished so far and what do you still hope to accomplish with your music career?
Dave: Well, just making a living as a professional musician is a huge accomplishment. It's something I love to do. We've played for tens of thousands of people, played in NFL stadiums, done the National Anthem and half-time at a Steelers game, played on television, obviously had our music on radio - that's all very cool stuff. I would really love to be able to go anywhere and sell out large venues, have a few top 10 hits, write with Phil Vassar and put my daughter through college. She's only three so I have some time.
What motivates you to keep striving in the music business?
Dave: Motivation is easy when you do what you love. The lows are low and the highs are really high. When it gets tough, I just think to myself "If it were easy, anybody could do it!"
Who has been the greatest influence in your life? (music related or not)
Chris: My father. He was a businessman and showed me the ropes. He taught me to never give up and never take no for an answer.
If you could collaborate with anyone musically, who would it be and why?
Abby: I personally would like to collaborate with the songwriter Jeffrey Steele. I can relate a lot to his style of writing.
What do you like about touring and what do you dislike?
Dave: I love meeting new people and seeing new towns. I don't even mind the bunk in the bus but its hard being away from my daughter.
Do you have a favorite song to perform live?
Chris: Really we created all the songs as a band (even the covers). They are all our songs. So each is special in its own way. I can really say that I like them all. I am a big harmony guy so anything with thick harmony catches my eye.
What advice would you give to those who plan to get into the music business?
Dave: Be yourself, be ready to work long and hard and think outside the box when marketing yourself.
Songwriter's Spotlight - Questions
Can you tell us about your favorite song that you've written overall? What does it mean to you? Why did you write it?
Abby: My favorite would have to be a new song that I wrote with John Colgin, Gary Duffy and Bob Corbin. It will be on a future project. Its called "Promiseland" and its about me growing up and becoming a man.
Where do you find the ideas and inspirations when writing songs?
Abby: Personal experiences and everyday obvious occurrences.
Who are some of the other artists & songwriters you have written with or for?
Abby: Mark Narmore - He wrote "That's What I Love About Sunday." Gary Duffy who wrote "Paint Me A Birmingham" and Bob Corbin who wrote "Can't Keep A Good Man Down" and "Fire In The Night" for Alabama - just to give a few examples.
Is there anything you would like to say to all your dedicated fans and all our readers?
Chris: Growing up in South Pennsylvania, about 45 miles south of Pittsburgh, doesn't really give you too many advantages in country music. We created a market where there was no market and we're still doing our country music on the Eastern seaboard. If you work hard enough and give 150% everyday, your dreams really can come true! Our fans are the best and they are the reason why our dreams have come true.
Added: July 25, 2006
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