VINNIE PAUL Talks About Honoring DIMEBAG: Audio Available

Several audio clips of former PANTERA/DAMAGEPLAN drummer Vinnie Paul talking about running his new record label, Big Vin Records; honoring his late brother "Dimebag" Darrell; and on the possibility of being in a band again, among other topics, can be found at DallasNews.com.

Speaking to The Dallas Morning News, Vinnie Paul said that his will to work completely ceased to be when Dimebag was shot to death by a deranged fan during a DAMAGEPLAN gig on December 8, 2004.

"I spent about eight months in a really, really, really dark place, just having no clue where to turn, what to do, what I was supposed to do next," he said. "Me and Dime were like that [crosses fingers]; I mean that in more ways than I could ever explain.

"I felt like the music in my heart was just gone; it had just went away," he added. "Then I got a really cool letter from Dave Grohl (of FOO FIGHTERS),who went through something similar to me with Kurt (Cobain) and NIRVANA. He said the same thing. He said, 'I didn't think I was ever going play again. Just stick with it, because music is probably what will end up healing you in the end.' "

Vinnie Paul said he plans on playing in a band again, and his cameos and gigs in the Dallas, Texas area such as the traditional New Year's Eve all-star party act GASOLINE will continue. But his energies are focused on the business side of music now, with many of his old-guard posse involved in key areas. The sudden loss of a brother was tremendous, but he's gained a new career and, he says, strength.

"It's just really hardened me, a lot," he said. "I used to be a free-loving, free-caring person with no worries. We lived with no fear, you know? That night when he was on stage playing, he wasn't scared of anything; neither one of us were.

"I'm busy right now, and it's been good for my head. Too much time sitting around thinking about this will [expletive] drive you crazy. Of course, I didn't know I was going to get this busy, but it's good."