Remembering Grady Mathews

JAM

JAM

I am the storm
Silver Member
I was going through my photos this morning, looking for a TBT (Throwback Thursday) photo to share on my Facebook page, and I came across this one taken in 1986 of Grady and me. I was working at Champion's in Silver Spring at the time, and Kid Dynomite's father took this photo. I am so glad he did. :smiling-heart:
 
Last edited:
In doing a little research to beef up my FB thread, I found this beautiful memorial to Grady by Jim Mullens. Watch it. It brought tears to my eyes, happy tears ---> HERE
 
Check out this very classy interview of Grady at his pool room in Columbia, SC, right before Grady passed away. It's a short 2-minute video snippet, but it's pure Grady ---> HERE. :)
 
When reading the recent "who's the best" thread about Efren and Scott, I was kind of surprised nobody mentioned Grady. Of course, Grady's prime was in the '60s, most likely long before a lot of members here were born, I guess.

A great interview by Steve Booth of OnePocket.org of One-Pocket Hall of Famer Grady Mathews ---> HERE.
 
I created this Wiki page for Grady. I need to spend more time and add data to it. Grady Mathews was a force to be reckoned with when he was traveling the countryside, from coast to coast. He's owned numerous pool rooms, put on many events and exhibitions, and when he gambled, he bet his own money.

Wiki article about Grady --> HERE
 
Grady and Bob Ogburn produced a very classy senior's tournament in Florida. The Seminole Tribe of Florida (O.B., et al.) funded it with a large donation. Man, I sure do miss the Seminole Tribe. Their contributions to pool was very generous. They not only had a tour, but they sponsored sevearl pro players. Corey and Frankie Hernandez were a couple of the recipients.

Here's Grady with the O.B. and friends at that event.
 
Here's a cute shot of Grady wiuth Keith and Tony Mougey at the 2003 U.S. Open 9-Ball Championship.

It was no secret that Grady had a strong disdain for substance abuse, to include alcohol and cigarettes. Grady did not smoke or drink or do drugs. He was a "straight arrow," I guess you could say. It's kind of comical to see Grady holding his coffee cup on the right and Keith holding his brown bottle and cigarette on the left. Quite the contrast. :o

His only vice was, well, gambling, and he sure was fun to watch when he was in action. :D
 
In the early 2000s, Keith attended a tournament in Las Vegas. I did not go because of work. Well, Keith got lost, and when I say lost, he went off the radar, MIA. I soon because very depressed, so depressed that I could not eat.

Randi, Grady's wife, called me a few times to check on me, and she knew how sad I was, though I tried to put on a brave front like I was going to survive sans Keith. :p

She told Grady about Keith going MIA in Vegas, and I'm not sure how Grady knew how to find Keith, but he sure did locate him that same day. He talked to him, letting him know he was going to lose a "good girl." Keith called me up that same day.

I guess the reason why I will never forget Grady is not because of his pool-playing capabilities and strengths, but because he cared enough about me and my aching heart one day, so much so that he decided to intervene. I also think he knew Keith might have been engaging in some unsavory happenings in Vegas. For this reason, I will always love Grady Mathews. He was instrumental, I guess you could say, in my life. :smile:

RIP, Professor. I hope to see you in the celestial pool room.

Here's a cute shot at the 2002 US Open 9-Ball Championship, from left to right, AzB's HousePro, Grady, Randi, me, and Keith. :D
 
LNCPA said:
Those are frames designed to keep the focal point of the glasses higher on your head for better viewing when you bend over to shoot.
Click to expand...

I did not know that. Thanks for sharing that little tidbit. :)
 
JAM said:
http://vimeo.com/23185551

What is kind of funny about this video is that I think -- and I may be wrong -- Grady is wearing his glasses upside-down. :o
Click to expand...

They're on correctly, just look at the nose bridge. I think the illusion is that they're taller at the top and seem to be made that way for him when he's stooped over at the pool table.

I think maybe that "normal- framed" glasses would hinder his vision somewhat,but not in perseverance. <<--that's my Grady-esque impersonation. :grin:
 
seven_7days said:
They're on correctly, just look at the nose bridge. I think the illusion is that they're taller at the top and seem to be made that way for him when he's stooped over at the pool table.

I think maybe that "normal- framed" glasses would hinder his vision somewhat,but not in perseverance. <<--that's my Grady-esque impersonation. :grin:
Click to expand...

LOL! Good one! :grin-square:

You're right, of course, about th glasses. :wink:
 
StraightPoolIU said:
Except for the occasional "Drambuie and potato salad" ;)
Click to expand...

Listening to this memorial, I pushed it up to the end when Grady and Billy Incardona start bantering back and forth. It is so nice to hear his voice, but the two of these guys really complemented each other. They were GREAT together when they commentated, and Grady loved to commentate so much. He was passionate about it.

This is so funny ---> HERE. :thumbup:
 
Thank yo for posting the video's and pictures of Grady. We seem to forget the greats much too quickly. Johnnyt
 
JAM said:
I was going through my photos this morning, looking for a TBT (Throwback Thursday) photo to share on my Facebook page, and I came across this one taken in 1986 of Grady and me. I was working at Champion's in Silver Spring at the time, and Kid Dynomite's father took this photo. I am so glad he did. :smiling-heart:
Click to expand...

Great photo JAM! Taken not long after he had wrapped up shooting "The Color of Money" with a great cast of actors/players. I was fortunate enough to speak with him by chance over the years at different tournaments and exhibitions. Always the consumate gentleman and he was very approachable. The man was a great player, a terrific advocate for the sport and just a really nice guy...RIP.
 
JAM said:
Here's a cute shot of Grady wiuth Keith and Tony Mougey at the 2003 U.S. Open 9-Ball Championship.

It was no secret that Grady had a strong disdain for substance abuse, to include alcohol and cigarettes. Grady did not smoke or drink or do drugs. He was a "straight arrow," I guess you could say. It's kind of comical to see Grady holding his coffee cup on the right and Keith holding his brown bottle and cigarette on the left. Quite the contrast. :o

His only vice was, well, gambling, and he sure was fun to watch when he was in action. :D
Click to expand...

Is that Tony Mougey from Ohio? Havent seen him since the early 80's.
 
decent dennis said:
Is that Tony Mougey from Ohio? Havent seen him since the early 80's.
Click to expand...

Yep, that's Tony. He's a fairly good player, from what I remember.

Here's a cute shot of Tony, Keith, Jerry Slivka, and Frankie White at the Joss Turning Stone in, I think, 2006.
 
Great

JAM said:
In the early 2000s, Keith attended a tournament in Las Vegas. I did not go because of work. Well, Keith got lost, and when I say lost, he went off the radar, MIA. I soon because very depressed, so depressed that I could not eat.

Randi, Grady's wife, called me a few times to check on me, and she knew how sad I was, though I tried to put on a brave front like I was going to survive sans Keith. :p

She told Grady about Keith going MIA in Vegas, and I'm not sure how Grady knew how to find Keith, but he sure did locate him that same day. He talked to him, letting him know he was going to lose a "good girl." Keith called me up that same day.

I guess the reason why I will never forget Grady is not because of his pool-playing capabilities and strengths, but because he cared enough about me and my aching heart one day, so much so that he decided to intervene. I also think he knew Keith might have been engaging in some unsavory happenings in Vegas. For this reason, I will always love Grady Mathews. He was instrumental, I guess you could say, in my life. :smile:

RIP, Professor. I hope to see you in the celestial pool room.

Here's a cute shot at the 2002 US Open 9-Ball Championship, from left to right, AzB's HousePro, Grady, Randi, me, and Keith. :D
Click to expand...

This is a great story JAM it is always interesting to find out kind things people do that are not openly publicized . Not knowing Grady personally it makes me appreciate him not only as a legend in Pool but also as a man with a kind heart. I love the photo of not only seeing your group but also seeing the USOpen venue. Happy memories.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top