Jerry Bob Abbott was an American country music songwriter and record producer.
11 Facts About Jerry Abbott
1.
2.
Jerry Abbott was the father of heavy metal musicians Vinnie Paul and Dimebag Darrell, both formerly of Pantera and Damageplan.
3.
Jerry Abbott began playing the piano at age eight and took up the guitar aged 15.
4.
Jerry Abbott joined a local band at the age of 18 and spent a few years touring Texas, then began working as a member of resident bands in numerous nightclubs.
5.
In 1973, Jerry Abbott was hired as a sound engineer by the owner of a local recording studio.
6.
Jerry Abbott's sons co-founded the heavy metal band Pantera in 1981, and Abbott was the band's first manager.
7.
Jerry Abbott produced the group's early albums Metal Magic, Projects in the Jungle, I Am the Night and Power Metal, at his recording studio Pantego Sound.
8.
In Texas, Jerry Abbott served as a producer for Texas blues artist Bugs Henderson.
9.
Jerry Abbott then moved to Nashville to become a country songwriter and founded a new studio, Abtrax Recording.
10.
Jerry Abbott was successful as a songwriter and received songwriting credits for songs recorded by artists such as Emmylou Harris and Freddy Fender.
11.
Jerry Abbott died at a caregiving facility in Denton, Texas, on April 2,2024, at the age of 81.