An American Success Story-Mike Massey

JAM

JAM

I am the storm
Silver Member
It's that time of year again, two people of great distinction to be inducted into the BCA Hall of Fame in 2005! :)

As per the BCA website: "The purpose of the BCA Hall of Fame is to honor outstanding people who, through their competitive skills and dedication, have enriched our sport and industry. Two categories have been established in BCA's Hall of Fame. The Greatest Player category shall be reserved for outstanding players who have been active in national or international competition for at least 20 years and have won at least one national or international championship. The Meritorious Service category shall be reserved for those who have made lasting, memorable and important contributions to billiards."

I read an article on CCB about World Renown Trick-Shot Artist Mike Massey recently, which indicated: "...While driving in his car Monday afternoon, Mike Massey received the phone call most billiard enthusiasts only dream of getting. He had been named to the sport's Hall of Fame...."

I admire Mike Massey. He has risen to fame in this pool world the hard way, traveled the road circuit from yesteryear when action was prevalent but fraught with peril, then mastered his game winning many pocket billiard championships along the way, and is now the most recognizeable trick-shot artist in modern times.

Keith McCready considers Mike Massey one of the great ones, a straight-shooter with a warm heart who never forgets his friends. One of his favorite acts is when Mike does "finger pool." I like those pool vests Mike wears when he's doing an exhibition. When he makes an appearance at any event I have attended, all eyes dart towards him. He is surrounded by fans and pool enthusiasts, always friendly and greeting everybody with his trademark smile!

He sometimes travels with his loved ones in tow, a beautiful supportive wife and two little doggies. World Boxing Champion Evander Holyfield has been quoted as saying "It is not the size of a man, but the size of his heart that matters." Mike Massey fits the bill on both accounts, a big man with a heart of gold, and I can't think of anyone who is more deserving to be inducted into the BCA Hall of Fame. He is an American success story!

JAM
 

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Mike's a quality guy and a great ambassador for his sport.

Between the ladies final and mens final of the 1992 US Open 14.1 championshis in NYC, Mike Massey gave an exhbiition, and I was lucky enough to be in attendance. For most of his fellow pros, it was the first time they got to see his act. Watching guys like Mike Sigel, Dallas West, and Nick Varner go nuts over some of the stuff Mike Massey did that night is something I'll never forget.

A fitting entrant to the BCA Hall of Fame. That's for sure!
 
JAM said:
It's that time of year again, two people of great distinction to be inducted into the BCA Hall of Fame in 2005! :)
Mike Massey a big man with a heart of gold, and I can't think of anyone who is more deserving to be inducted into the BCA Hall of Fame. He is an American success story!

JAM
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Hi JAM,
``Tennessee Tarzon``Mike Massey is also an Aries like Keith.Mike is a great guy.Mike`s wife also is very nice lady.I am happy to know that he is named for BCA`s HOF.
 
I had the good fortune of playing Mike in an exhibition match a number of years ago, of which I luckily was the winner, a week later I received an autographed cueball in the mail which read; To Jim, "I want a rematch" Mike Massey.
Great keepsake and very unexpected.

You'd be hard pressed to find a more deserving player, as well as a representative of the sport of pool.
 
I saw Mike 25 - 30 years ago and at that time his adhering english shot just flipped me out. To this day it had more impact than any other trick (magic) shot I have ever seen. After seeing him perform tons of superhuman draw, follow and finger pool shots I started to think this guy can do anything! And then to bust out with that shot …WHEW! Everything stacked just right for a very memorable moment.
 
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What great news. Mike is an absolute gentleman and always treats everyone as a friend. Congratulations Mike. Sam
 
Congratulations to Mike! He definitely is deserving of this honor. When I was 16 my dad and I attended a tournament at Buddy's billiards in Jackson MS. Mike was there playing and also did an exibition that Saturday night. I introduced myself when he was in between matches and he gladly autographed one of his pages in Robert Byrnes Treasury of Trick Shots for me. Before his show he said he needed my help on one of his trick shots during the show. I was so excited and nervous especially when I found out he was going to shoot a ball out off of my mouth while I layed on the table. I was shaking so hard that the ball kept falling off of the chalk before he could take aim! He finally shot it and made it on the first try. The local news crew was there filming and I contacted them when I got back home. It cost me $75, but now that tape is one of my most prized possessions. Keep on strokin' Tarzan!
 
JAM said:
It's that time of year again, two people of great distinction to be inducted into the BCA Hall of Fame in 2005! :)

As per the BCA website: "The purpose of the BCA Hall of Fame is to honor outstanding people who, through their competitive skills and dedication, have enriched our sport and industry. Two categories have been established in BCA's Hall of Fame. The Greatest Player category shall be reserved for outstanding players who have been active in national or international competition for at least 20 years and have won at least one national or international championship. The Meritorious Service category shall be reserved for those who have made lasting, memorable and important contributions to billiards."

I read an article on CCB about World Renown Trick-Shot Artist Mike Massey recently, which indicated: "...While driving in his car Monday afternoon, Mike Massey received the phone call most billiard enthusiasts only dream of getting. He had been named to the sport's Hall of Fame...."

I admire Mike Massey. He has risen to fame in this pool world the hard way, traveled the road circuit from yesteryear when action was prevalent but fraught with peril, then mastered his game winning many pocket billiard championships along the way, and is now the most recognizeable trick-shot artist in modern times.

Keith McCready considers Mike Massey one of the great ones, a straight-shooter with a warm heart who never forgets his friends. One of his favorite acts is when Mike does "finger pool." I like those pool vests Mike wears when he's doing an exhibition. When he makes an appearance at any event I have attended, all eyes dart towards him. He is surrounded by fans and pool enthusiasts, always friendly and greeting everybody with his trademark smile!

He sometimes travels with his loved ones in tow, a beautiful supportive wife and two little doggies. World Boxing Champion Evander Holyfield has been quoted as saying "It is not the size of a man, but the size of his heart that matters." Mike Massey fits the bill on both accounts, a big man with a heart of gold, and I can't think of anyone who is more deserving to be inducted into the BCA Hall of Fame. He is an American success story!

JAM
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He has been selected or nominated?
 
macguy said:
He has been selected or nominated?
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Macguy, the article about Mike Massey stated: ""...While driving in his car Monday afternoon, Mike Massey received the phone call most billiard enthusiasts only dream of getting. He had been named to the sport's Hall of Fame...."

Last year in November, I believe, the BCA asked for the pool public's input in the form of a press release for prospective candidates to the BCA's Hall of Fame.

Some folks responded via e-mail to the BCA with a choice on who should be considered for induction. After the public input, the BCA's press release stated the BCA Industry Members get the opportunity to submit nominees, and thereafter a list goes to the BCA Hall of Fame Committee for a vote.

It looks as if the BCA did not seek the public's input this year. However, Mike Massey is a very popular choice (IMO). I think he could qualify for both the Greatest Player and Meritorious Service categories.

Another person I think is worthy for consideration is Allen Hopkins, who holds national/international titles and continues to contribute to the sport in the form of the Super Billiards Expo and now the exciting new format of the Skins Billiards Championship.

You can't pick up a pool mag from the '80s and '90s without seeing Allen's name. He definitely was a top contender in any tournament he played in. Another quality I like about Allen Hopkins is that he goes out of his way to make sure his competitive events, even the UPA-sanctioned tournaments, are OPEN TO ALL. He believes that all pool players should be given the opportunity to play. Having seen him recently competing in PA, he's still got game, too! ;)

In my NEVER-ENDING data gathering about pool, I discovered these little factoids about Allen Hopkins. In 1978, he beat Paul "Jew Paul" B. in Detroit for a paultry 110,400 jellybeans -- this is 1978! -- and how he did it was hilarious. Ah, the good old '70s and '80s, when the action was ripe and ready for the pickings! I hate to say it, but the Top 10 players from that era sure seems like a lot tougher field than today's players, having been around long enough to see both. Luther Lassiter has been quoted as saying Allen's straight pool is the best he ever saw. He picked up his first cue stick at the age of seven, played in his first tournament when he was 12, and the rest is all uphill.

Mike Massey rubs everybody the right way, a very popular fixture in today's pool world. Wherever he goes, he's a crowd-pleaser. I have never heard a negative comment out of his mouth. He's just a very positive upbeat kind of guy and a lot of fun to be around. He's an excellent choice for inclusion to the BCA Hall of Fame (IMO).

A Mike Massey factoid. Mike played in a marathon in Europe (Innesbrook) to raise money for an orphanage and was hoping to get in the Guiness Book of World Records with the most consecutive number of 9-ball racks in a 24-hour period. His goal at that time was to run the table 500 times, but here's the good part, no combos, no 9's on the break, just run the complete stack. His personal best at home was 20 racks an hour, but in this competition because of the venue conditions, he was only running 14 an hour. During that 24-hour period, though, with 57 minutes for breaks, he ran the table 330 times! :eek:

BTW, if any of you get a chance to see the DVD version of "The Hustler," you'll see Mike Massey providing instruction, displaying how some of the movie shots are executed. It is kind of cool.

That wonderful Tennessee accent of Mike Massey's must be catching. Keith grew up in California, but lived in Tennessee for 6 or 7 years and still has a Tennessee accent to this day. :p

JAM
 
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Wow running a table 330 times in an 24 hour period is simply amazing, I know some players that couldn't run the table 24 times in a 330 hour period LOL!
It's great to hear that Mike will be getting into the BCA Hall of Fame he's probably the most deserving player I can think of. Allen Hopkins certainly deserves a spot as well and I wouldn't mind seeing Jose Parica get the nod either, geesh so many players and so little spots.
 
sniper said:
Wow running a table 330 times in an 24 hour period is simply amazing, I know some players that couldn't run the table 24 times in a 330 hour period LOL!
It's great to hear that Mike will be getting into the BCA Hall of Fame he's probably the most deserving player I can think of. Allen Hopkins certainly deserves a spot as well and I wouldn't mind seeing Jose Parica get the nod either, geesh so many players and so little spots.
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Ditto on Jose Parica, the first to lead the Philippino Invasion! ;)

At this stage, Mike Massey and others may be on a Best Qualified List. I do not know if the actual inductee has been chosen, reading that he has been "named," as stated in the article.

Gotta like Earl Strickland, too. I mean, a six-time world champion and five-time U.S. Open winner (over a 16-year span) is pretty noteworthy.

Personal favorites of mine, the colorful Ronnie Allen, Pioneer Pat Fleming of Accu-Stats, U.S. Open Champ Smiling Tommy Kennedy who keeps the Southern pool world alive and well, just to name a few. :)

JAM
 
Let's don't forget Grady. The guy has a lifelong dream of seeing pool where it should be {complete matches televised and rated with golf and bowling at the very least}. I agree a lot of people overlook Pat Fleming. Sam
 
JAM said:
... Mike Massey fits the bill on both accounts, a big man with a heart of gold, and I can't think of anyone who is more deserving to be inducted into the BCA Hall of Fame. He is an American success story!

JAM
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I don't particular enjoy "Artistic Billiards", but that is beside the point. Mike Massey clearly belongs in the BCA Hall of Fame. He is as you say a great guy and a great ambassador for pool in all it's forms. I never saw him play any "normal" competition, but from everything I've been told he was pretty "sporty" at that too. He certainly has the stroke for it.
Let's hope he gets his just rewards.
 
JAM said:
It's that time of year again, two people of great distinction to be inducted into the BCA Hall of Fame in 2005! :)
Click to expand...
So far as I know the ballots have not been sent out yet and the vote has not taken place. There is no press release on the BCA web site about who was nominated this year.
.... I just called the BCA. They are in the process of finalizing the ballot. It has not been printed yet, so there certainly has been no vote. They cannot state at this time all of the names that will be on the ballot.
 
Bob Jewett said:
So far as I know the ballots have not been sent out yet and the vote has not taken place. There is no press release on the BCA web site about who was nominated this year.
.... I just called the BCA. They are in the process of finalizing the ballot. It has not been printed yet, so there certainly has been no vote. They cannot state at this time all of the names that will be on the ballot.
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Several days ago, I read a post related to Mike Massey on CCB. I couldn't get the link to work, so here's the cut-and-pasted version! :)

His tricks are a treat
Pro overcomes rough past to achieve fame in billiards

By DAVID FILKINS, Staff writer
First published: Tuesday, December 14, 2004

LATHAM -- While driving in his car Monday afternoon, Mike Massey received the phone call most billiard enthusiasts only dream of getting. He had been named to the sport's Hall of Fame. Not bad for a man whose future was dimmer than pool hall lighting for many years.

Massey used to wander the country, hustling in bars and casinos for his only source of income. On a few occasions, his victims later put guns to his head, demanding their money back and threatening his life. He once had $5,000 stolen from him -- by a police officer.

The most trying time for the 57-year-old Tennessee native came in Denver in 1970. He was hustling in a bar and had a large dose of LSD slipped into his drink. Not only did he lose his money, he nearly lost his mind. For the next two years he thought he was dead. He heard voices, wandered railroad tracks while talking to himself out loud and couldn't identify members of his own family.

Massey's life story reads like a fiction novel. Fitting then, that his profession is as unusual as his past. Massey is a professional trick shot pool player. He has traveled more than 3 million miles and visited 35 countries putting on demonstrations and entering competitions.

His path led to upstate New York on Monday night, where the "Tennessee Tarzan" put on a demonstration at Diamond Eight Billiards in Latham.

Of the 100 or so in attendance, 29-year-old Albany resident Aaron O'Connor found out first hand that Massey possesses more than just trick shot magic. O'Connor practices 9-ball more than 20 hours per week. He once defeated professional pool player Tom Rossman and considers himself a student of the game.

Massey defeated him in nine shots.

"I thought if I could break and make a run out I would be OK," O'Connor said. "But I missed, and I knew I was in trouble. Mike Massey is awesome, it was an incredible experience either way."

Massey was the national 9-ball champion in 1982. He has won professional tournaments in straight pool, 8-ball, snooker and one pocket. He turned to trick shot pool while putting on demonstrations at detention centers, senior homes and prisons.

His second career proved more successful than his first. Massey is a three-time world artistic pool champion and has won the ESPN Trick Shot Magic championship four times since its inception five years ago. He has been on television 80 hours this year alone.

"My faith has guided me. God has blessed me with talent and ability," said Massey, a devout Christian. "When things were bad (from the LSD) it was worse than hell. When you see people wandering and talking to themselves, they have it good compared to how I was. I was in terrible physical and mental shape. God pulled me out of it."

Some of the shots Massey made Monday night could only be explained by divine intervention. He pocketed 10 balls on one shot, caused the ball to curve in unexplainable ways and displayed pinpoint accuracy, shooting the ball off the table and into a cowboy boot 12 feet away. For added difficulty, he made the shot one-handed.

"Mike Massey is top-notch; he's a world champion," said Frank Majewski, a billiard instructor and manager at Diamond Eight. "He is absolutely one of a kind. Very few players can master every aspect of the game like he has."

Massey has expanded his horizons beyond the pool hall. He's the author of "Mike Massey's World of Trick Shots," and has appeared in five movies.

He recently met Paul Newman, who appeared in two of the most famous billiard movies ever, "The Hustler," and "The Color of Money." Massey got an autographed DVD and said he had a pleasant meeting with the man who mirrored his life on film.

But from the way Massey has shredded adversity and devoured his foes, the pool shark seems more like "Jaws" than anything.

[End of article.]

JAM
 
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> His tricks are a treat
> Pro overcomes rough past to achieve fame in billiards

> By DAVID FILKINS, Staff writer
> First published: Tuesday, December 14, 2004

Mike deserves to be in, but the voting has not taken place yet and I believe he will have very stiff competition this year. What was apparently a newspaper column (in the Albany Times Union of Albany, NY) is in error.
 
Bob Jewett said:
> His tricks are a treat
> Pro overcomes rough past to achieve fame in billiards

> By DAVID FILKINS, Staff writer
> First published: Tuesday, December 14, 2004

Mike deserves to be in, but the voting has not taken place yet and I believe he will have very stiff competition this year. What was apparently a newspaper column (in the Albany Times Union of Albany, NY) is in error.
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Those little media leaks sure can cause quite a stir at times, nothing quite as bad as the media releasing the early Florida election results, a mere 4 years ago, before all the votes were tallied! :D

I read the article in the Albany Times Union to mean that Mike Massey was "NAMED" as one of the candidates "to the sport's Hall of Fame," not so much that he's in like Flynn.

It is curious that the BCA did not request input from the public this year, as it was done last year about this time.

Whether Mike Massey gets in the BCA's Hall of Fame or not, just being nominated or NAMED is a very prestigious honor. He is the closest thing pool has to name-brand recognition and is distinguished as an industry expert by his peers! :)

JAM
 
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Congrats to Mike Massey!

Bob Jewett said:
...What was apparently a newspaper column (in the Albany Times Union of Albany, NY) is in error.
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Looks like the Albany Times Union released the info that Mike Massey was nominated when they published "He had been named to the sport's Hall of Fame."

He's got some stiff competition for sure, but no matter who wins, it is truly an honor to be nominated/named!

JAM
 
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