The Crazy Truth About Hillbilly History that Made Us Rethink Our Opinions

In the 1960s, as hillbilly culture captured the imagination of mainstream America, brands were quick to tap into the trend. Kellogg’s, aiming to marry the charm of rural life with breakfast tables nationwide, launched Sugar Stars cereal. Although the cereal itself bore no direct link to the Appalachian lifestyle, Kellogg’s cleverly enlisted Hillbilly Goat and Huckleberry Hound as mascots.

Huckleberry Hound, known for his laid-back drawl, also promoted his own Emmy-winning Hanna-Barbera show, further entwining the product with popular entertainment. Meanwhile, Mountain Dew became synonymous with its mascot Willy the Hillbilly, who personified the brand’s mountainous origins from the 1940s through the late 1960s.