Dallas, 2009- A day with Rex Brown

We got a call about a month ago from a friend in the business that went, "You guys know Rex Brown"? Lee looked over at me and said, "You know Rex Brown"? After I got up from falling out of my chair, the answer was an authoritative "Hell yeah I do". These two questions led to what was one of the happiest days of my life- meeting the bassist for the multi- platinum selling bands Pantera and Down. I've seen every Pantera show that hit Atlanta since the "Cowboys From Hell" tour, have every Pantera record ever put out and the first two Down records, Down and Down II. I guess that makes me an official fan. So, we set up a meeting with Rex to discuss consigning a few basses from his personal collection and on the very day we were supposed to meet, I decide to contract a stomach virus and a 100 degree fever. We roll up to his house and he greets us at the door- I'm delirious by this point, but I recognize the Master of Metal immediately and we take a tour of his crib and chat for a while. He introduces us to his gorgeous, 8th generation purebred English Bulldog, Dixie and we start looking at some of the most historical bass guitars in recent Heavy Metal history. I would be lying if I said I didn't get chills on my arms holding some of Rex's basses and after tidying up the business at hand, Rex, his old buddy Ricky, Lee and I eased on over to the nicest Brazilian restaurant in the state of Texas. I can't say I did much damage, considering the state I was in, but our host was gracious and understanding- he may play like a beast and look like a menace onstage, but in person, Mr. Brown is one of the most down- to- Earth people we've ever met and as a tip 'o the hat to him, I'm playing "Vulgar Display of Power" as I write this. Fever aside, it couldn't have been a finer day......