I've known Hennessee from Tennessee for over 20 years, and off the table, he's the coolest pool cat in the room. Ready for action and has enough firepower to back it up.
He used to hang at the late Professor Gilbert's Southern Billiards in Starkville, Mississippi. He and the Professor's daughter were an item for a while.
When I told Keith McCready how well Hennessee was doing in the one-pocket event, Keith's reply was, "I taught Hennessee a lot about one-pocket when we used to play scotch doubles together." The world according to Keith.
At the 2003 U.S. Open 9-Ball Championship in Chesapeake, VA Keith's shaft got messed up. I can't remember what happened to it, but it didn't work to Keith's liking. Hennessee lent Keith a shaft, and Keith loved it, shot quite will with it, coming in third place.
I've always been a fan of his. If you're shooting against him in a tournament, he's a pit bull. Like Kid Delicious and Kaci, Jonathan has been known to shoot slowly and methodically, taking his time between shots, but he most definitely can go into beast mode and win. He does not like to lose because he puts his heart and soul into every single shot. I won't say he's a graceful loser, but who is? Show me someone who likes to lose, and I'll show you a loser, as the saying goes. It must have been challenging to go up against Tony Chohan in the finals with the crowd rooting for Tony. All players have experienced this, and it's tough to fade, but it's part of the sport, I guess.
Since I've known him, he's never been afraid to step up to the plate against anyone on the planet. I've always liked that about him. He's not one of these players who hems and haws and is looking for somebody to drop their wallet. If you want action, Hennessee is always ready, willing, and able.
When I saw him on live stream this week. I noticed a little gray in his hair. Me speaking as someone who is 6 months older then Efren Reyes, I think Hennessee still looks great, in good shape, and easy on the eyes. I wish him luck in 2023, and if he makes the Cup, I'll be rooting much harder for Team USA. And that's a lot.
I've got quite a few photos of Hennessee from Tennessee, but here's a couple.
In the parking lot at a pool tournament. I won't say what we're doing.
At the Carolinas Open, Keith and Michael Coltrain in the middle of a bankfest for action, as Hennessee listens intently.