Pittsburgh's biggest country band, the PovertyNeck Hillbillies, has broken up.

Founding member Chris Higbee released a statement Jan. 14 saying that four members, including singer Chris "Abby" Abbondanza, have left the band. [ Read story ]

We asked readers their reaction to the news. Below is a sampling of their comments.

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Hello, my name is Kristina Gerstner, I'm 20 and I live in Butler, Pa. I am sooo upset the Povertyneck hillbillies split up! :( This whole past Summer and just this past weekend (Jan. 5th, 2008) consisted of me and my best friends, including my boyfriend who Hates country, going and supporting our favorite band!! I am in love- by heart- with this band!

Sometime in December 2007, Abby came into my work at Dingbats to eat with his wife, before performing in Slippery Rock that night. I'm a server there and I went crazy running back to the kitchen screaming that Abby from PNH was there! My friend Made me walk over to his table and get his autograph.... after my face was red as a santa hat, I breathlessly walked over and shook his hand. He asked me my name and wrote on the back of my schedule "To Tina, lots of Love! ~Abby '07 PNH~" :) I was so excited that I called my BEST friend Amanda to come in and see him... we're both obsessed with Abby. Haha! I had just made a shirt last week with Abby and I's individual pictures looking at each other smiling. It's so cute!

On January 5th, my boyfriend and 3 of my very Best friends took 2 cars and drove almost 4 hours to go and see the Povertyneck Hillbillies in Maryland at the Wisp Ski Resort. It was a night full of fun that I will Never forget!! It was so exciting because before the concert I had gotten pictures with each individual band member- HOW EXCITING!! Not only that, but all 5 of us stood front row and listened to the boys' talents! I had gotten 2 guitar picks thrown to me (One from Abby and one from Jeff!!) and my friend Amanda had one thrown to her. My boyfriend sang in front of everyone as Abby pointed a microphone to him to help sing "I might not be Mr. Right". Boy was that so funny! We had a blast!!

During the last song that night, Abby was singing and Amanda's camera battery died, so she was snapping up close pictures of Abby with her cell phone. As Abby was singing, he reached down to grab her cell phone, and was taking pictures of us with it! AHhh! we were ecstatic!! I have so many memories going to their concerts and words can not describe how sad it is that we will not be able to see them perform in the future.

Best of luck Povertyneck Hillbillies!! We all love you and wish you the best of luck!!!! Please come back!

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This is like Elvis dying, Lennon being shot, Cobain killing himself, and realizing that Ashlee Simson lipsynchs all rolled into 1. What a sad day...

Greg Waskowiak, (Carrick)

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I just hope the local radio stations stop playing their two and only songs every hour.

Ed Adams

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I have been to several PNH concerts and I was always happily entertained. I think that Chris Higby is an "amazing" talent and will take the band to a new level. The other band members were great, however Chris stood out above the others. I get chills when I hear him play. I saw a PNH concert at Seven Springs Ski Resort and was very impressed with his interactions with the fans. He was greeting folks when they entered the room before the concert. It was obvious that he was so dedicated to PNH. He was also the only band member doing this. You could feel his strong passion for his music, band and all of the fans. I think that the break up is a good thing because the band was sort of stuck. Good luck to all of the band members and I hope that Chris will continue to move forward to find band members as passionate as he is. I am certain that he will do this and look forward to his success.

Johanna Weber

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I agree with Tim too...WHO THE HECK CARES...They were nothing to crack up about anyway. Unless you wanted to crack up laughing.

Pam T., Pittsburgh

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I am really frustrated about this and I feel for all of your burning hearts.

IM a PNH fan from the start and it will live on.

I've known the guys for awhile and I actualy got a small "PNH forever" on my ankel about a month ago.

What am I going to do now???

Miss you guys - PNH forever in my heart.

Ryan Ireland, Sturgeon, PA

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This no shock. They have been slowly going downhill ever since their label folded. Let's face it, they weren't very good anyway. They used tuners on their vocals during live shows, and had Nashville studio musicians play most of their parts on their latest recordings. All they really ever did was record a bunch of old Bob Corbin songs, and then remake a Michael Stanley Band song, "My Town," and claim it as their own. For all you Pittsburgh fans that don't know any better, "My Town" is really a song written about CLEVELAND!

That said, they managed to catch some lightning in a bottle, and they rode that as far as they could. I'm sure it was quite a ride. Good for them.

Desmond Hume, Pittsburgh, PA

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Hey Tim - obviously YOU cared enough to read the article and respond! I hate to see them split, but I can understand the effect it had on their personal lives. Remember, they quit their jobs and dedicated everything to PNH. Eventually, someone has to pay the bills and plan for the future! Good luck gentlemen!

Keith, South Hills

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So, PHN breaking up is "...on the same level as Lennon being shot..."? That has to be the most ridiculous and pathetic statement I've seen made in this paper in the last month or so. It is absolutely unbelievable that someone actually believes that; no wonder the music scene today is in such a sad state of continuing decline.

Richard Hall, Washington

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WHO CARES!

Tim Ross, Pittsburgh

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I am not at all surprised. I would say that about a year ago, right around the time they sent Crafty packing, the attitude of the group seemed to change. That is when my friends and I stopped going out to see them. I was so upset that Crafty, the most musically talented member of the band, was cut from the group. I inquired with RUST Records and they said it was the bands decision, further follow-up had the band blaming the label. Who knows! The band just seemed to lose sight of why they were on-stage. They got too caught up in the business and stopped enjoying what they were doing. You could see it in their faces and actions, I knew it would not be long before we would receive this news. I am sorry too see it happen though. When they were having fun they put out wonderful performances that had the quality of some of the national acts I have seen.

A.J. McGivern, Hickory, PA

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It's a shame they are breaking up. They are really a wonderful band and very loyal to their fans. It would be wonderful for them to have that last "hurrah" so we can all show them how much we will miss them and how much we appreciate them. Love you PNH!!! Thanks guys!!!!

Diane Lacey, West Mifflin, PA

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PNH breaking up is on the same level as Lennon being shot. We can only hope and pray that they rethink this break up and what it's doing to all the fans. PNH RULZ!!!!!!

Gary Jackson, The Rocks

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It sounds like "Abby" and "JR" got an offer to go out on their own that they could not refuse.

Brian, Fayette County, PA

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I am so sad to see that PNH have broken up, I was a true fan for the past 6 years, following the band wherever I could, dragging along my 2 kids, which in turn loved the band as well. I was so disappointed to hear this news, so much of my time, dedication, $ and loyalty went into PNH, what a let down from them. I guess the fans really didn't matter, It was just a easy fast ride for the boys... Good luck to all of you in the future. You will be truly missed, PGH will be back to its boring routes again...

Tina, Pittsburgh

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I would have to say very disappointed at least. I understand that they can not be together forever but a farewell concert or farewell tour is not a unreasonable request for the loyal fans, like my wife and myself. It sounds like they parted on a bad note (if you read in between the lines) and I guess that nixes the tour idea. But I still feel that they owe something to all of the little people that made them who they are today. I am now and always will be a PNH fan. I just wish that I could have seen them one last time. Without exaggeration I have seen them play at least 45-50 times over the years and it would never get old. All I have to say to the guys is that I wish them all luck with whatever they decide to do and I can not wait till Chris Higbee puts together PNH (the second coming). I will welcome that with open mind and open arms. Chris H is PNH all the other guys were just part of the band. He did it once I have complete faith that he can do it again. I just wish I could thank him myself for all of the happy memories that he and PNH have given me.

Tom Olzak, Shaler

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I'm not surprised at all. The last few times I've seen them, they didn't really care about the fans, only about drinking and jacking around on stage.

Karen McGuire, McMurray

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This came as a total shock to me. I adored this band. I spent alot of money I didn't have on concert tickets and merchandise. I supported them through thick and thin. I am extremely upset. I do love Chris Higbee to death. He was always my favorite and I will follow and support him wherever his musical career leads him.

Staci Kohler, Mt. Pleasant

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This is such a shame, they were delightful to listen to. I thought they would be together for a long time.

Audrey E. Faessel, Bethel Park

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I was supremely disappointed. I had tickets to see them Saturday, January 19th, in Wheeling. I had never seen them play live and was really looking forward to it. I think it was extremely unprofessional of them to not honor commitments to shows that were just days away. If I quit my job I would be expected to work out a 2 week notice. My opinion of all the members, whether solo or continuing with the band, will never be very high.

Dulcie Cattrell, Weirton, WV