Metal guitarist / horror author Jeremy Wagner donates entire Illinois farm to no-kill animal rescue

[Miles Archer]

http://www.examiner.com/article/death-metal-guitarist-saves-lives-donates-his-farm-to-no-kill-animal-rescue

Recently, founding member and guitarist for heavy metal band Broken Hope, Jeremy Wagner, announced he donated his entire rural Illinois farm--the buildings and land--to an animal rescue and rehabilitation organization. The noted fiction horror writer and metal musician stated on his Facebook fan page:

Today I made the biggest donation of my life. I signed off and gave away my entire farm to the animal rescue/rehab group I've been working with since I purchased the property last summer. I'm too busy to manage and enjoy the place, but it does my heart & soul good knowing I have now given a refuge and paradise for many animals who will be given help and love and new homes for many years to come. My generosity and goodwill for the benefit of animals will never stop. Giving my farm away for free was a super-huge sacrifice, but it was an awesome one, and it won't be the last time I do it. In this life, money doesn't mean shit if you don't do good with it. So I do as much good as I can before I leave this rock. Cheers!

Wagner’s generosity was celebrated by fellow Metal maniac and animal advocate Donald Tardy (drummer of Metal band Obituary), via Obituary’s Facebook page:

Our good friend Mr. Jeremy Wagner of Broken Hope did something yesterday that deserves recognition and praise. He donated his entire farm and land to an animal rescue group… As animal lovers ourselves we found this to be one of the kindest and coolest things someone in the Metal music world has ever done for a great cause. Jeremy is one of just a few people that helps us out by donating to the Metal Meowlisha and our efforts. For that, I say thank You Mr. Wagner for being an amazing person and such a good friend. You rule Brother!

[Xyzse]

1. Good on that guy... Even if I don't listen to his music, I am now his fan.

[ProfessorGAC]

2. Well Cool For Him

Pretty generous and caring on his part.

[marym625]

3. Wow! Actually gave the farm away for free!

Pretty damn awesome!

[BlancheSplanchnik]

4. Wow, that's the best!!!

I shall check his books. I love horror stories!

[SoapBox]

5. Very cool...

The world needs a lot more compassion like this.

[cantbeserious]

6. Wonderful Man - Great News

eom

[winterwar]

7. Lesson

Don't stereotype metal heads. Or fans of any music for that matter. Sometimes hard core artists/fans will surprise you with their honorable actions. And sometimes polished pretty boy pop stars are horrible. Looking at you Chris Brown and Justin Bieber. Those guys are terrible.

[m-lekktor]

15. one would think (or hope) you wouldn't have to explain this

on this site, but you never know!

[packman]

8. Well done, my good man

Going out and buying a heavy metal CD - or maybe not.

Shows his heart, "In this life, money doesn't mean shit if you don't do good with it. So I do as much good as I can before I leave this rock. " Message needs to be sent out to the 1%.

[City Lights]

9. Way to go!

This is great news!

[navarth]

10. Most probably I would not like this guy's music

but as a human I think he's first class. We need more like that.

[murielm99]

11. I don't know a thing about him.

I am going to find some of his music and listen to it. He is a horror fiction writer, too. I will look for some of that as well.

If I don't like his work, I still like him and what he is doing for animals.

[Miles Archer]

12. From his Website:

[HughBeaumont]

13. Broken Hope was an awesome live act at MDF 2013.

They surprised me.

Good on Jeremy.

[blackspade]

14. Metal Rules!

[IcyPeas]

16. I love this guy

I don't know who he is.... but how generous of him to do this.

What future plans does the organization have for utilizing the property—what kind of animals, how many, petting farm, adoptions, organic farming other than animal rescue, etc.?

The future plans will continue with the mission to aid all creatures great and small. In my time with the farm since last summer, we've been able to save some 40 + dogs, dozens of cats, rats, raccoons, and a rooster. I had new stalls, new electric, water, and heat installed in the barn, so now it looks like horses, cows, and other livestock destined for death will be saved and plug in there as well. Like I said, all creatures--a mole to an elephant--are welcome there, as long as the "Animal Farm" can do their work professionally and within the law.

Will you be involved with their efforts in the future, lend a hand at your old farm?

Yes. The organization won't let me go. Ha ha ha! That's okay, I love the luxury of now visiting the farm to see the full-time animal residents there, to breathe country air, and doing it all as a guest. I'll always support them, too. As long I have the means, others in need will have my help in any capacity I can offer. This applies to 4 and 2-legged friends.

[calimary]

17. Love this guy!

His band's page:
https://www.facebook.com/brokenhopeofficial/timeline

I'm not into death metal but I am CERTAINLY a fan of THIS guy now! He's gonna go to Heaven when he dies.

Btw - I messaged him on Facebook just to say thank you, and he messaged me back! I did not mention any band involvement. Didn't want to seem like I was trying to hustle him. Not much point anyway - ACIDIC's music style is not compatible with death metal so we wouldn't be a workable tour match in the first place. This was strictly animal-lover to animal-lover.