For over a decade, Darrell was a member of the Washburn, Randall and U.S. Music Corp. family and always proved to be a man of great character and exceptional talent. You could always count on Dime to be the life of the party. Darrell’s friendship, humor and brilliant music will be sorely missed by all.

I personally have some many fond memories having a blast with Dime I need my own website to list them all. Not to mention every single one ends in me being so drunk I can barely stand up to receive my farewell hugs & kisses. Dimebag treated us like we were rock stars. Every single time Dime came to town, we received V.I.P access and got treated like we owned the place. From the V.I.P. seating to the Washburn Appreciation Room (guaranteed to be stocked with booze from around the world), Dime made us feel like we were on a pedestal way above the rest.

My most memorable time I had with Dime was definitely Ozzfest 2003. Dime and Vinnie were just about finished rapping up the debut Damageplan record and they wanted to come and have a little R&R. Dime had also just received his Blue Camo Stealth (which he personally named Jenna-Flaug) and was happy as a pig in shit. I was pretty excited myself, because Dime told me it was one of his favorite axes he had received in a while. He said…and I quote “This is one of my favorites because the camo reminds me of me, and the ladies remind me of my brother and anything that reminds me of my brother makes me very happy.” He liked it so much he had us use the same colors and make one for Zakk with Bulls eyes and block inlays. Along with a few more highlight graphics on the back, when Dime opened the case and presented it to him, Zakk literally bowed down and was on the verge of tears. He then stood up, grabbed the guitar from Dime and handed it to his guitar tech, and said “Get this mother fucker ready for the stage tonight.” At that point the bottles of booze where pulled out and unfortunately the rest of the night was a black tooth blur.

If it weren’t for Dimebag Darrell, I would have never started my career as a professional painter. He compared the pride I take in painting his guitars to the same pride he took in making music. Just again showing that we where on the same level and that made every day so east to walk into work with my head up and take pride in the fact I painted guitars for the best ever.

The memories he gave me are priceless!

I love Dimebag!!

Matt “Chewy” Dezynski
Washburn Custom Shop Artist

December 11, 2004

Hey Dime,

Dylan Thomas wrote:

Do not go gentle into that good night,
Old age should burn and rave at close of day;
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Though wise men at their end know dark is right,
Because their words had forked no lightning they
Do not go gentle into that good night.

Good men, the last wave by, crying how bright
Their frail deeds might have danced in a green bay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Wild men who caught and sang the sun in flight,
And learn, too late, they grieved it on its way,
Do not go gentle into that good night.

Grave men, near death, who see with blinding sight
Blind eyes could blaze like meteors and be gay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

And you, my father, there on the sad height,
Curse, bless, me now with your fierce tears, I pray.
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

You were a rock star to the very end, with guitar in your hands and beefy notes charging thru the air in relentless attack, as only you could do, and so many wished they could.
You lived your life as only you had, intensely….lovingly.
You touched many hearts as you played thru the years, giving of yourself to all who asked to be touched.
It was my luck…my fate to have had so much of your time here on earth, sharing business, philosophy and riotous fun in a way that I have never experienced before and will never again. No regrets Dime….lots of smiles.
I loved you as a brother, adored you for the creative genius that you are. Your kindnesses to Jenny, Jordan and Emma are legendary in my heart and home.

I am sending out this photo of you with Mayhem, at that dinner we had in the Hard Rock in Orlando. Its perfect – you with a shot glass raised and Mayhem eating a chicken wing – you both could pack a lot of that away. Say hi to him for me, and thank him for being the protective soul that he is. Jenny just reminded me about how he looked after her while we were doing our usual after the concert. He loved being with the band and looking after folks.

I raise my glass, my Blacktooth to you bro, one more time….get y’a pull.
LE