The Povertyneck Hillbillies were founded in 2000 in the borough of Dawson, Pennsylvania by fiddler Chris Higbee. After multiple band members he met future lead vocalist Chris "Abby" Abbondanza, they met and befriended each other after discovering common musical interests. Through the help of other friends, the two musicians found five more members who would complete the band's lineup: guitarist David Guthrie, keyboardist Dave Cramer, bass guitarist Jeff Volek, steel guitarist Bob Crafton and drummer Ryan Lucotch. The seven-piece band then assumed the name The Povertyneck Hillbillies. Povertyneck was a name derived from a small area near Dawson, PA known to locals, near Higbee's grandfather's farm.