     To all of Zac's "Family" and friends. You have no idea of how much you touched me and my family with your outpouring of love, kindness, and generosity towards my family during this past week. I know my parents couldn't have gotten though the week without you. Through stories, and talking to his friends both before and after the funeral, I got to know about a side of Zac that I never knew existed. He was truly blessed to have lived his life on his own terms, and to have been privileged to have shared it with so many wonderful people. All of you have my deepest gratitude and respect. If there is anything that I can ever do for you, just ask. I have attached thoughts I and my wife were able to choke out at Zac's funeral. I would be honored if you would share them with those friends of Zac's that were unable to be there.
Thank you, again for all of your love for Zac.
Mark Weil

     It has been almost 25 years since Zac's and my life became intertwined, not by choice, but by the love of two wonderful parents who were trying to bring two very different families together. Unfortunately, Zac and I were never really close, as there was 8 years between our ages, and we were at very different stages in life. It was not too long after are lives came together, that we were separated, both in distance and life. I never had the opportunity to understand the life Zac lived and the experiences that meant so much to him. Therefore, most of what I know of and about Zac is what my family has shared with me. It has only been in the last couple of years that the two of us started to discover who the other person was. I came to know a person who was a real gentle soul. I discovered a very creative young man who loved art, was totally immersed in music, and truly was able to live life on his own terms. This is something that most of us can only dream about. Zac was a very special person who touched more lives than we knew. He was a very caring person, who really cared about those around him. He didn't speak much and was very reserved, but you just knew how he felt. I will miss Zac tremendously. Zac, I love you, rest in peace.....
Mark Weil

     What I remember about Zac is the first time I saw him, six years ago, I looked up and I said "Oh My", I never saw someone so tall. I was thinking to myself, he will come in handy someday as I am so short. Well, as time went on, we became family and that was very important to me. Zac stood up at Mark and my wedding. We became close and joked around and talked on the phone a lot. My husband, Mark, and I moved to Atlanta and I remember coming over to our place, and sure enough, I needed Zac to reach something on top of the cabinet. We laughed and he said "You're a short Weil". I told him that he was my gentle giant. Well Zac, my gentle giant, rest your body, your memories will live on and your soul will be with us forever.
Love,
Your Short Weil, Carole

And so the curtain falls. The news of Zac's passing was like a steel-toe kick in the teeth. It ripped my heart out as Danny, Eric, Crumpy, Ash, Brian, Bentley, and I helped Mr. & Mrs. Weil pack up Zac's belongings and clean out his apartment (one day after) containing childhood photos, family albums, memorabilia, records, equipment, clothes, instruments, furniture, and all the worldly possessions we must leave behind when we're called by the angel of death... The looks of sadness and grief on his parents' faces almost sent me to my knees as we were closing down a place where we spent so many good times. It will take, perhaps forever, to understand the savage reality of never seeing Zac again...it's an unalterable stab in our hearts with poison sorrow flooding all the memories of what was, and what shall never be again. Now all we're left with is the void of a great soul burned up in the ashes of ruthless time. And the memory of his glorious grin when he heard that right note... Zac had a heart of gold. He ran hard. He was a warrior. And an irreplacable friend. We're gonna miss him. And it hasn't even sunk in yet....... Adios Zac, we love you........... James Calemine...April 5, 2000

I first met Zac last May before 1999 Atlanta Music Midtown, in which Bloodkin played at Smith's Bar. I contacted Zac when I was an intern at Capricorn Records in the Legal/Business affairs Department. I heard that Bloodkin was playing in Athens on the Friday of Music Midtown and talked to him w/the intent of getting more info on that show and if it was worth while for me to go to Athens for that gig. I was willing to make that trip since being in the Midwest for 1995-99, I had not seen Bloodkin in over 3 yrs. He told me about the show at Smith's and kindly put my wife and me on the guest list. Our mutual interest in the band developed into a friendship, although I did not get to see him all the time since I live in Atlanta and put in a pretty long work week. He is one of the most generous and non-judgmental person's I ever met. I felt like I was just getting to know him and there is a lump in my throat for being frustrated when Zac did not return my call Monday afternoon. I am sure my voice is still on the answering machine that he owned!. I am shocked, saddened, and angry! Zac was a clas act! I am honored to have become friends w/him. Everytime I listen to Bloodkin I will remember the joyous look he would have on his face whenever the boys would be playing like the toughest and best band in the world! Zac and his family will always be in my thoughts and prayers! Sincerely, Bernie Jocuns

The bottom line on Zac which we will all remember him for is the fact that he was all about the music. I remember him calling me to go to the GA Theatre early in my freshman year to go see a band called 'Phish' There were only about 100 people there as this was before the flood gates opened for this up and coming band. This was in fact my first visit to the GA Theatre and I now expected every show in the future to be as exciting and comfortable as this initial offering was... of course that would not be the case but my initial thoughts after this experience was that this big guy named Zac...knew good music. Zac and I attended dozens of shows together over the next several years as my love for live music grew larger and larger during my time in Athens. Although some of my most fond memories of him will be the time we spent going to shows, I think I'll remember more than anything, his incredible sense of humor and that bone-jarring laugh of his which in itself could shake the house down. Our friendship did lie heavily on our interest in music, but I think our mutual sense of humor fueled our friendship. News of his death struck all of us who knew him like a shot in the heart, but his memory will last longer and grow stronger as each passing day goes by. So long as the music continues.....Zac will live forever. We love you Zac and you will surely be missed. ALG.

Zac - I miss you. Your funeral has just begun, and I am thinking of you. I am so glad that we got to spend time together the last time I was in town over New Years. Too much fun at the Italian resteraunt and later speed skiing at your house. Once you finally told Bryan all the rules, he actually took a few games from you. I think you may have still been up in the final count. Winston Salem was the last time I saw you. Now as an afterthought, I am so incredibly glad I went for just that one night if only just because I had the chance to see you smile (after the instruments had arrived) again. I was so proud of you in recent weeks at how hard you seemed to be working on things, and only wish that I would have gotten you that name at GMR before you had to go. I am sure that wouldnt have made a difference, but coming accross your resume yesterday made me think about it. I feel so lucky to have a copy of this... a summary of you. Our last conversation found us talking about everything from Rotgut/Mercy Train, (because you told me Quarter Tank of Gasoline was too slow), to you driving from North Carolina to meet me in Nashville and Memphis for my birthday shows. We had it all figured out (and so far in advance too). I know that you wont let me down, and you will be there to spend it with me. I will bring your picture with me.. You know the one from Denver with the boxers, when you spent the afternoon at our place?..... That will make me smile. Zac, you were a good friend to me, and I can only hope I was as good of a friend to you. The picture on the web site, makes me smile just when I need to smile most. I feel kind of hallow inside. I am sure I am not the only one. I know that we will all need eachother and have to take care of eachother. I know you will help us from above. I dont think any of us will ever get over the idea of not seeing you again, but we will all work at getting through this. Together I know you always be alive in our hearts. I hope you are at peace, and resting well. I miss knowing that you are here, that I can just pick up the phone and call you.... I just plain miss you I've been working all day I've been shaking it loose It's been raining for hours I've been spilling my juice Nothing means nothing I couldn't care less And now that you're gone, I can't even guess Love, Tracy

The last time I saw Zac was Saturday, April 1st, 2000 @ the Georgia Theatre while attending the Derek Trucks + Susan Tedeschi performance after the April Fool's Panic show. It was my birthday. I gave Zac a big hug since it was the first time I had seen him since Orlando in January & only the 2nd time to see him in the last few years since moving to the West Coast after college. Zac bought me a b-day beer; I reciprocated with Shiva. He was grinnin' from ear to ear & was eager to share some Bloodkin insight with me, us all, regarding song histories, interpretations, etc. in the upcoming months. I'll never forget that particular grin or that hearty laugh on April 1st, 2000. We paused to enjoy Derek's sinister slide. I told him about the April Fool's Panic performance including Chuck Leavall. Zac had not attended & he commented that there have not been many occasions when he has failed to attend a performance including Chuck Leavall within reasonable proximity. He offered a hint that Danny & Eric would perform with Panic on Sunday eve. We talked about old times, old friends, the future. He gave me his business card to keep in touch & I looked forward to rekindling a mutual love for live music that was conceived so many years ago. Zac & I had known each other for a fairly long time. We graduated from the same high school in Rome, GA, although Zac was 2 years older than I, & met through mutual friends once I moved to Athens after high school. That was 10 years ago. Since that time I have experienced all flavors of music with Zac from Widespread Panic to Pink Floyd, Aquarium Rescue Unit to Santana, from Allman Brothers to Govt. Mule, & countless acts in between. Zac was absolutely one of the biggest Athens, GA music fans that ever graced the Classic City. And he was without a doubt one of the most gracious souls I have ever been blessed to befriend. We miss you Zac & your love of live music will always be with us, Brother. LONG MAY YOU (-8SMILE8-) ZAC WEIL......WEB

Zac, You know all too well the pain that many of us feel through this sad time, as you had just spent four months helping me through another very tough time. As I was in Athens through a healing period, you could feel my pain; and you were there. For the second time in our lives, our mutual love of music had led us to work for the same band. You however didn't just work for the band. You were one of them, the fifth band member. Your loyalty to the band had seen you outlast several members. You had an undying sense of commitment and honesty, even if the truth wasn't so pretty. One of the best times we ever had together was on a Tuesday night back in December. School was out but Schools' band Barbacue Pants was playing at the High Hat. As the band thrashed through heavy metal favorites from Black Sabbath to Led Zeppelin, we were drinking like we were in one of those bands. Half way through the night we looked like Beavis and Butthead headbanging and yelling the whole time. I don't remember how we got home (I hope I didn't drive) but I remember being home, still headbanging and yelling as we couldn't get the music out of our heads. We played video games until you passed out in your chair and I wasn't far behind. Maybe we had too many similar nights for our own good, but I wouldn't trade any of them and I know you wouldn't either. The last time I saw you was Sunday night at the Classic Center. It was after the show had been over for a while and you were getting on the elevator to go up while I was just getting off. I asked you where you were going and you said "Somewhere you're not." I just laughed at the time, but now I know how right you were. What a great last night to have spent on this earth. "Your Boys" sharing the stage with Panic that night, and getting to hang out with the whole Brown Cat family and so many close friends. It's what you lived for. I miss you already. The music family suffers a big blow. You will live on through the music forever and your soul will always shine. I love you Zac...... Brian

Daniel, Crumpy, Bentley, and Eric, We send our deepest regrets and much love to you all. We were shocked to hear about Zac's death. Unfortunately our time with him only entailed one night, a night I am happy to say was full of good music, lots of smiling faces, and new friends. Even more special was that we got to celebrate Zacs's birthday with him. Unfortunately is was to be his last but we feel privileged to have been part of it. We send our respects and love and hope that you are all as well as can be expected. We all look forward to seeing you in May. We will have to celebrate once more in memory of Zac.
Ben Isenberg
BenchWarmers
Salisbury, NC

To you Eternal Friendship. Zac; my fellow music lover, big brother in the frat, and especially my friend, you will be sorely missed. I had known Zac for almost 10 years and not another concert will I see without thinking of him. He brought me to my first "Panic" show and I have been hooked ever since. His genuine love for the music transcended styles and eras and allowed him to find his place in this world. Although I would see him less frequently as the years passed, I could always count on him to be at a few of the very special shows each year. His presence seemed to mean that I had picked the right show.
To his family I offer my deepest sympathies and have you in my thoughts/prayers.
Michael Aaron

Soul Evolution - a para-gram by paramahansa yogananda