I grew up listening to Pantera. I never thought in a million years I would ever meet him and actually become friends. I was blessed to be able to meet him.
I Moved to Texas to start a Custom Motorcycle Company. The first week I was there I meet a guy who owned a local club (Matt). He was one of the guys backing our company. I heard Pantera over the speakers and started banging my head to the music. The Matt said " you like Pantera?" I answered " Fuck ya best Metal Band Ever"!!!!! He smiled and said you know they used to play here right. I had no Idea.
So anyways a few weeks go by and every night I was at the bar. Matt kinda made me Security and his right hand man. I walk into the bar just like I had been doing and Matt looked kinda wierd. I asked him if he was ok and he said he was but I wasnt going to be in a few. I had no idea what he has talking about. I thought I was going to get fired or jumped. The night kept going like any other night. I heard someone laughing in the back ground at me. I hear " The Fucker does look like me"!!! I turn around and I'm face to face with Darrell Abbott!
Darrell looks at me and says " Matt tells me you love our music"! I must have been in shock because Im speachless. Darrell says "whats the matter cant talk to me". I was just shocked to see you is all. He put is hand out and say's " welcome to Texas Cody". I shack his hand and Darrell yells out to Matt give this guy a beer and a shot looks like he needs one. That night we hang out for like seems forever. Darrell and his crew asks if Matt and I want to go to Vinnies bar so we go. So we load up in the trucks and we go. Everyone piles in all the trucks and I have my old 1977 chevy 4x4 with primered flames on the side. I jump into my truck and I hear a rap on the door. It's Darrell !!! Cool Fuckin truck Cody let me in. I unlock the door and he jumps in. This truck is fuckin aswome. I had a really loud system in it with a Pantera CD in the player. The song Walk was playing on it. We halled ass to catch up with the rest of the group and arrive at Vinnies bar.
That night we drank and partied hard. I go home that next morning around 4 am. I passed out and woke up around 7pm. I get a call and it's Matt and Darrell Get up fucker and get your self down to the bar. I shower throw cloths on and fly down to the bar. Another night of raising hell.
So anyways I got to know Darrell like only a few did. He called me Brother like most Bikers and friends he had. One night we all hanged out again and Darrell grabed me by the shoulder looked me in the eyes and said " Your one of us your my brother Celt and I love you man". I looked at him and said " Celt"? Ya your Celt to me my Irish Bastard! We laughed and became Brothers! I can still see his eyes to this day! The honesty in them. The actual look of a true Brothers.
Before he left for a tour we got togeather and had a few beers. He told me when we got back we would hang and He would tell me how the tour went. He said " I love ya Bro remeber that and we shock hands and I said our good byes.
I get a call from a friend and he is so upset. I asked whats wrong. Im so sorry I am so sorry. Sorry for what I said. Darrell was killed tonight. I was like what the fuck stop jokein that not funny. I turn on the news and its all over the news. I got a call from the crew and they told me what happened. The worst feeling ever. My cell phone didnt stop ringing for 3 days. I guess everyone knew how tight Darrell and I got.
Me and his friends started doing shows to remember Darrell. I couldnt stay in TX much longer so I move to Reno. Theres alot more I could say but I guess I'll leave it at that. God Thinking back on this really has brought back good and bad memories.
God bless you Darrell ! My Brother ! My Friend ! I miss you and Love ya Man. R.I.P I'll never get over you and Will never forget you! See ya Soon but not to soon your friend Celt the Irish Bastard " Cody"
