I sent you a text on your phone number yesterday morning. After doing so, I was thinking you might have a phone like my brother, which does not have text capability, but here's what happened. I'm now on antibiotics and steroids and feel much better. Thought I quit cigarettes more than 16 years ago—been so long I can't remember—my doctor said complications from smoking like COPD can cause one to suffer more and longer with respiratory ailments like a simple cold, which I'm hoping that's what I have. I do not know if I have COPD, but that's why she's having me get an X-ray of my chest tomorrow and then a CT scan next week, knowing that I am an ex-smoker. Meanwhile, Keith caught it from me and is also sick with the same symptoms. He also is an ex-smoker. Thankfully, we don't have COVID or any other virus or flu.
Now back to Gary Nolan aka Bushwhacker. Keith and I were talking last night about Gary after his wife and I had a chat. He said Gary was one of those unsung heroes in our pool world. He enjoyed flying under the radar during pool's golden years, before the internet, of course, and not very many people knew how strong he really played. He later owned Lucky Break Billiards in Pennsylvania during the latter part of his life. Subject to check, I think I remember hearing he bought it from an undercover action man from PA named The Jeweler.
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Then there's the infamous, the one and only, X-rated Accu-Stats video of a match between Gary and Keith, commentated by none other than Grady Mathews and Keith's backer. Billy Incardona makes a cameo appearance in the booth, AzHousePro said he may find this video and share it for all to enjoy. It's a hoot to listen to, but there is a reason why it's X-rated. Grady lets loose with a few words that may not fall easy on some ears, but that's Grady. Anybody ever read his book, "Bet High and Kiss Low"? The commentary has a similar vein.
A little background. Keith had been up all night gambling and engaging in other nefarious activities. His stakehorse is in the commentator's booth with Grady sweating his cheese. Gary and Keith play a race to 11. Gary jumps ahead of McCready, but Keith comes back, and the match goes down to the wire. Literally. One shot to win the set. They both dog it! Keith gets back up and blasts the 9 ball in at warp speed, just barely pulling through, much to the delight of his stakehorse.
Here's a snippet of the words spoken in the first 2 minutes, and they're just getting wound up:
GRADY MATHEWS: And we're here live. Accu-Stats Video Productions proudly presents championship 9-ball. In today's feature match, we have Gary Tallywhacker–I mean Bushwhacker Nolan from parts abode versus Keith McCready. With me in the booth here today is Jackie, who does not wish to reveal her true last name, Barry Shaw from New York City, and Ken Taylor, all the way here from Fresno.
And Bushwhacker has won the lag. Now, we might be surprised here this afternoon, fellows. We do have two of the playing-est mother-f*****s I've ever laid eyes on in my life. And Bushwhacker has crushed 'em. He pocketed a ball on the break and has a nice shot on the lowest-numbered ball.
KEN TAYLOR: You know, Grady, if Keith misses one f*****g ball in this match, I guarantee you that I'm hanging his underwear out, and he's going to be in them in the snow because what he's pulled here this week. There ain't a son of a b**** in the world would fade the s*** that I've faded here.
GRADY MATHEWS: Well, you know, Keith's backers usually take an extended leave of absence.
KEN TAYLOR: Well, I guarantee you that I've left my absence because this guy has put me in just a dead-f******g coma. I mean, this guy is–look, if he scratches, I'm going to–well, okay. Here we go.
GRADY MATHEWS: Well, let's watch him. Let's see if the patented little sachet strut comes into play. You know how Keith will walk around that table.
KEN TAYLOR: Did you see that shot, Grady? That looked like a 3-year-old girl picking her nose. I can't believe it. This guy, you know, he couldn't get a h***-on if he had to.
GRADY MATHEWS: Well, you know, that does bring up another interesting subject.
Gary Nolan passed away in 2018. Grady Mathews, also known as "The Professor" or "Mr. One Pocket," was the first inductee into the One-Pocket Hall of Fame in 2004. He promoted pool throughout his career, particularly the game of one-pocket. He passed away April 18, 2012, at the age of 69.
As an aside, 2025 took my sister, several well-known pool buddies, and three of my closest friends. What remains are the memories, and today, those memories are our blessings, carrying the love of family and friends long after they’ve met their maker.
