Poverty Neck Hillbillies to open for Clint Black at golf event
The Poverty Neck Hillbillies feel just like Dorothy in “The Wizard of Oz” – there’s no place like home. Since signing a five-record deal with Rust Records in Cleveland and Nashville in the spring, the group has put their touring bus to good use.
One of their biggest thrills was performing at the Jamboree in the Hills in Ohio during July.
“It was amazing,” Abby (Chris) Abbondanza said, “coming out in front of 90,000 people. It was absolutely amazing.”
On the upside, Abbondanza, who writes many PNH songs, said their schedule keeps them extremely busy.
“But I wouldn’t change a thing,” he said. “We get to see new places we’ve never been before and meet new people.”
But there is a downside.
“We only get home a day or so every week,” said Abbondanza in a recent phone interview.
He said they appreciate home more and more.
“We know where we are from, and we always want to keep that hometown flavor to the group,” said Abbondanza, who performs vocals and guitar.
After spending so much time on the road, the past few weeks have been like an extended vacation.
PNH headlined the Fayette County and Westmoreland fairs and committed to play at the 84 Lumber Golf Classic, opening for country music star Clint Black at 6 p.m. Sept. 15 at Nemacolin Woodlands in Farmington.
“We always like to work around here,” Abbondanza said. “This is where we got our start.”
Clint Black is no stranger.
“We’ve worked with Clint Black before in Ohio, and it was great,” said Abbondanza. “We are really looking forward to performing with him again. He is really a nice guy.”
But for PNH, Frosty’s Hillbillie Jamboree will draw them back every year, no matter how famous they become.
“You know, Chris’ father, Frosty (Higbee), died a couple of years ago from cancer,” Abbondanza said. “So this project is close to our hearts.”
Held at the Fayette County Fairgrounds in Uniontown, the jamboree opens at 2 p.m. All profits will benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.
There is other news.
“The video just came out on the GAC (Great American Country network), and the feedback we are getting is good.”
“He’s great,” Abbondanza said of Ben Roethlisberger, quarterback of the Pittsburgh Steelers, who performed along with Gio Abbondanza (Abby’s young son) in the self-titled video.
“He made it all so great,” said Abbondanza of Pittsburgh’s Big Ben. “He is nice to deal with and fun to be around. He, Chris (Higbee) and I have developed a friendship. We really enjoy just hanging out.”
Abbondanza admits being on the road is tough.
PNH recently completed a radio tour in Los Angeles and spent time doing radio shows in New York City as well. They are scheduled to do a radio tour in Las Vegas during September.
“When you’re living out of a suitcase, it gets really hard,” he said, “especially with those of us who have kids.
“Staying in shape is the only thing we can really do to work off the stress of the constant traveling. When we get to a venue, we find the nearest gym. And that is helping us stay healthy, too.”
But he is not complaining.
“It gets tiring, but I’m not complaining,” he said. “I wouldn’t change a thing.”
Abbondanza admitted their faces are becoming better known.
“That’s one thing about you press,” he concluded. “We’re being recognized a lot more. And that is a good thing.”
The 84 Lumber Classic at Nemacolin Woodlands Resort in Farmington is sure to be an affair to remember. From the first practice rounds that begin early on Sept. 11 to the last putt on Sept. 17, a field of nearly 150 golfers will seek their fortune on the Pete Dye-designed Mystic Rock Course.
One big draw is the $4.6 million purse with first place taking $828,000. Jason Gore will return to defend his PGA 2005 championship title. Michelle Wie is slated to play, as is favorite John Daly and local celebrity Rocco Mediate. But they aren’t the only show in town.
One of the largest charity events in the tri-state area, the 84 Lumber Classic will also feature a fall festival that will coincide with the tournament.
Also on the agenda will be a Friday night concert featuring Clint Black. A country music veteran, Black received an ACM (Academy of Country Music) award for Top Vocal Event of the Year (2000) for “When I Said I do” with Lisa Hartman Black and TNN Award for the same vocal duet.
He’s also been nominated for both a Grammy and a CMA award. With a career that kicked off in the early 1990s, Black has had an outstanding career writing, singing and playing country music. His latest hit is “Drinking Songs and Other Logic.”
Opening for Black will be the PovertyNeck Hillbillies.
Saturday night the nationally known Grammy Award-winning “funky foursome” the Black Eyed Peas will take the stage and perform their hip-hop magic.
The Black Eyed Peas dates back to 1989. The group’s breakout album, “Elephunk,” was released in 2003. “Elephunk” won worldwide success and went gold and platinum.
The song “Let’s Get Retarded” was restyled as “Let’s Get It Started” for an NBA Finals worldwide commercial. New, less offensive lyrics gave the tune a basketball theme in place of the original’s theme dealing with getting heavily intoxicated and partying. The song earned the group a 2005 Grammy for Best Rap Performance By a Duo Or Group.
There are a variety of ticket packages available for the 84 Lumber Golf Classic, which may be obtained on line at www.84lumber.com/store/default.asp.
The profits go directly to the charity of your choice. Children under 17 are admitted to the grounds at no charge if accompanied by an adult.