BLACK LABEL SOCIETY's CATANESE Remembers DIMEBAG DARRELL

BLACK LABEL SOCIETY guitarist Nick Catanese recently spoke to Glam-Metal.com writer Deb Rao about the one-year anniversary of the death his close friend "Dimebag" Darrell Abbott. In this special tribute to Dimebag, Catanese remembers the first time he met Dime, the special BLACK LABEL SOCIETY Dimebag tribute that they performed on the "Mafia" tour, and how Dime's family is surviving through this terribile tragedy:

Glam-Metal.com: Nick, December 8 will mark the first anniversary of your brother Dimebag Darrell Abbott's tragic death. What was your reaction when you first heard the news?

Nick: "I know I was simply in shock when I turned on the TV that day and saw the news. It was was such a tragedy. I was in denial, then it hit home and I had all the emotions, crying, mad, asking 'Why him?' It just plain out sucks."

Glam-Metal.com: When did you first meet Dime? Do you have any special memories that you would like to share with us?

Nick: "I met him during the CROWBAR tour with us. He came out and hung. My best memory I have of Dime is the last time i saw him was when we opened for JUDAS PRIEST. Dime and Rita [Dimebag's longtime girlfriend] came out and we had a blast. After the show he put arm around me and complimented the show and said, 'Man, I watch you up there playin note for note with the boss. Don't you EVER quit and mark my words you will be one of the best.' That about had me in tears. Here is one of my idols telling me something like that. That was just the kinda person Dime was. Such a giving and caring person."

Glam-Metal.com: I know Dime loved BLACK LABEL SOCIETY. Did you ever perform live with him on stage together?

Nick: "No never did, but he watched us a bunch. That was always awesome for me, to have Zakk on one side and Dime there too."

Glam-Metal.com: What was it like playing in Texas at Ozzfest this summer? Did you receive one of Dime's special guitars? It must be a honor to play his guitar. You are keeping his memory alive every night when you perform.

Nick: "I got a guitar that was made for Dime by Washburn. It's one of one — there will never be another one made, my black-and-red confederate. He would have had that. But I donated one of my ET guitars to the Dime Foundation and Washburn and Boogiestreet gave me that. And it is an honor playing it."

Glam-Metal.com: The BLACK LABEL "Mafia" tour had a special segment every night when BLACK LABEL SOCIETY would perform "In This River". What was it like playing lead while Zakk performed the song on the piano. The energy of the room was so intense in Boston. Everyone chanting Dime for twenty mintues. Was the response like that at every show? It was simply amazing, the love that the band and audience showed at all of the New England shows for Dime.

Nick: "Well, I guess by 'lead' you mean being the only guitarist onstage. I'm used to it. I wouldn't solo though, that's Zakk's area. And the Dimebag chants are always great. It doesn't matter where we are, they always happen. Dime is and always will be around."

Glam-Metal.com: Now Dime had such a big heart. How did he help get you your first Washburn signature guitar endorsement? How did Dime break the news to you? You must have been so excited?

Nick: "Dime helped. He gave his word, I guess, about me and my playing. I remember him calling and saying, 'Hey, Twin!! Welcome to the Washburn family.'"

Glam-Metal.com: Will BLACK LABEL SOCIETY be performing a special tribute show for Dime this week? Is there a special memorial planned? How is his family holding up?

Nick: "No, we won't be doing any shows. And everytime I see Rita, she is a ball of sunshine, just like Dime. I've seen Vinnie a few times. You can still see the pain in him. I can't even imagine what he is going and went through. December 8 will never be the same for anyone of us, let alone Vinnie or Rita."

Glam-Metal.com: Thank you so much for doing this special interview and Dimebag tribute with me for Glam-Metal. Our prayers and thoughts go out to you, BLACK LABEL SOCIETY, and Dimebag's family. Dimebag memory will live on forever through his BLACK LABEL brothers.

Nick: "Every night we know he is watchin', doin' some double doubles, and blowing it up at gods tavern, as Zakk says, wearing his colors, his BLS hat and just throwin' down the way Dime only knew how. GETCHA PULL."

A special Dimebag Darrell Abbott tribute will be posted at Glam-Metal.com soon.