Overview :

Darrell “Dimebag” Abbott, the driving force and lead guitarist behind the bands Pantera and later Damageplan, was a seminal figure in heavy metal music. Abbott and his brother, Vinnie, who played drums in both bands were influenced by the reach of music education from their father. Abbott was known as an expressive guitarist who brought the fluid dynamics of Eddie Van Halen's technique to Pantera's much harder power-groove thrash. Pantera was one of the Nineties' most uncompromising metal acts and one of the most successful. During Pantera's career they sold more than 7 million records and their 1994 Far Beyond Driven entered the charts at Number One. Darrell Abbott's style was known for its percussive riffing and bluesy, adventurous solos that carried the classic metal flag into the Nineties. He was one of the last great metal guitarists. Born in Dallas on August 20, 1966, Darrell and his brother, Vinnie, were influenced by their father, country songwriter Jerry Abbott, who pushed them to make original music. Darrell Abbott was shot and killed, on December 8, 2004, while performing onstage at a Columbus, Ohio nightclub.

ABBOTT ENDOWMENT FUND

WJJO FM in conjunction with Ballistic Cycles will be auctioning off a custom designed motorcycle in memory of Darrell Abbott to raise funds to create an endowment in perpetual memory of Abbott's contribution to the world of music and heavy metal music in particular. The funds from this Motorcycle Tribute auction, and future fundraising events, that will continue the memory of Abbott's legacy and contribution to music as a seminal metal guitar legend will be housed with the Wisconsin Foundation for School Music (WFSM). The WFSM supports the Wisconsin School Music Association (WSMA) which represents all public and private school music programs in the state.

Annual proceeds from the Darrell Abbott Endowment Fund will be used to provide electric guitar lessons to young men and women interested in pursuing a career in music entertainment. Funds may also be allocated to purchase guitar gear.

Fund Management

The Wisconsin Foundation for School Music (WFSM) will be responsible for the management, in counsel with WJJO FM, of the Darrell Abbott Endowment Fund. Each year 5% of the principal will be provided as gifts for young people, interested in a career in music, to take electric guitar lessons. The WFSM, in counsel with WJJO FM, will develop an investment policy that will create sustainable growth of the Abbott Endowment. WJJO FM's counsel will be sought in the decisions to award all fund scholarships. No portion of the Abbott Endowment will be used by the WFSM for debt retirement. The WFSM will charge an annual management fee of 2-3%.