STAIND's MUSHOK Says Playing 'Ride For Dime' Concert Was One Of Highlights Of Recent Tour

Ace Frehley (KISS),Corey Taylor (STONE SOUR, SLIPKNOT),Aaron Lewis (STAIND),Mike Mushok (STAIND),Vinnie Paul Abbott (PANTERA, DAMAGEPLAN, HELLYEAH),Phil Demmel (MACHINE HEAD),Bob "Zilla" Kakaha (DAMAGEPLAN, HELLYEAH) and Mikey Doling (SNOT, SOULFLY) are among the musicians who took part in an all-star jam on August 16, 2009 at the fifth annual Ride For Dime, an annual charity remembrance ride and concert event held in memory of the victims of the December 2004 Alrosa Villa shooting ("Dimebag" Darrell Abbott, Jeff Thompson, Nathan Bray and Erin Halk).

STAIND guitarist Mike Mushok has issued the following recap of the event:

"One of the highlights [from the recent months on the road] that stand out for me was being able to play the Ride For Dime benefit in Dallas a couple of weeks ago. Let me tell you, though, it was really nerve-wracking and a lot of work. I ended up playing guitar on 'Walk', 'Cowboys From Hell' and 'This Love'.

"It's funny — when they asked us if we wanted to play the benefit, they asked which PANTERA songs we knew and I knew how to play 'I'm Broken' and 'This Love'. Of course, I get 'Walk' and 'Cowboys From Hell'. Needless to say, I spent a few days having to learn them. It gave me a whole new respect for just how great Dime was on guitar. I always knew it, but I wanted to play the songs like he recorded them. I spent a lot of time trying to get it like the record and there are some really challenging parts there. Also, it was so much fun to play it live!! It was also great to be able to play with Corey [Taylor] from SLIPKNOT and Tim [King] from SOIL. They're both really talented musicians. It was fun to be able to hang out and talk guitar with some of the other guys on the bill also — Doc [Coyle] from GOD FORBID and Phil [Demmel] from MACHINE HEAD. Good day. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't happy once the set was over, though. I was a bit nervous seeing as we hadn't played 'Walk' ever as that lineup and only ran through 'Cowboys' once. it came off alright — couple of minor hiccups (as I'm sure you can see on YouTube),but all in all, we made it through.

"It's really cool that people came out to support Dime — he really was one of the best!!! People and musician. It's really important to remember him and the tragedy that happened five years ago.

"We miss ya, Dime!!"

Ride For Dime was first organized in 2005 by local Dallas members/moderators of DAMAGEPLAN's official forum as an event which would not only honor Dimebag Darrell, but also raise money to help with the massive expenses incurred by all of the victims that tragic night. The organizers have since shifted their donations to benefit a charity organization of the Abbott family's choice.

For more information, visit www.myspace.com/ridefordime.