Cornbread Red is gone.

eddieindetroit

eddieindetroit

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I was hitting some balls around lunch time today (Feb. Fri. 13th) at Hall of
Fame Billiards outside Detroit when (I believe it was the manager Cass)
announced over the PA that Cornbread Red had died this morning of heart
failure at his home in Kentucky. Red was known and loved by many of the
players in my area. He will be missed. Sorry I don't have any more
information.

Eddie in Detroit
 
I was privileged to watch Cornbread in action in Kalamazoo at the US one pocket open. He was not at the top of his game but he was still hitting em pretty good. I regret not taking him up on his offer to play him some. I am sure I would not have stood a chance but at least I could have learned a thing or two. May you rest in peace.
 
I got to see him play quite a few times when I was a kid living in Michigan. He is one of the more memorable "characters" that I've been around. I don't know if this is a true story or not, but I heard it a few times back around the time that I would see him around. So, here it is ... Red was doing a little woofing somewhere, trying to get in some action, so he ends up asking some big, mean looking guy, "what's your best game?". The guy hits Red right in the mouth and floors him. Red gets back up, walks over to the guy, looks him straight in the face and asks, "what's your second best game?". As the story goes, the guy laughs about it, agrees to a game, and proceeds to go broke.

Like I said, I don't know if that is a true story or not, but I've heard it a few times, and it's been one of my favorites ever since.
 
I was fortunate enough to see Red play, although I probably didn't see him at the top of his game. He was still a top notch player. I always heard stories about him coming thru a town about 20 miles from me from some of the guys a little older than me. They said he was absolutely incredible. God bless you Red and may you rest in peace. My sympathies to your family.
 
The book, "Cornbread Red" by Bob Henning is a great read. Very enjoyable.
 
I was at a tournament a few years ago at Bogarts in Detroit, looking in the display case I see that book. I turn around and see Red standing 3 feet away, bought the book, asked him to sign it, and you're right it is a great book.
 
corn

Cornbread was one of the most colorful people of all time. Many great tales have been told of Corn.

One of the best one pocket players of all time.
god bless Corn and Bernnie.
Leonard and Janice Bludworth
 
Red was a great guy

:) We will all miss Cornbread a whole lot, I've known him for many years.
God Bless Ms. Bernie and the entire Burge family, I know Cornbread is now in pool heaven. :p
 
Cornbread was at Grady's 1 pocket event in Reno early 1993. He came in second (I think) and Ed kelly came in first. That was out 110 players or so. He was a hoot!

He also stopped by the Derby City Classic a couple of years ago. Also a pretty scary crap player.

Someone needs to record the old timer's stories before hey are all gone. May Cornbread rest in peace.

Mark Griffin
 
Respects to a Legend

My sympathies and prayers go out to his friends and family. The world has lost a true billiard legend with his passing.

I really don't know how to put down in words my feelings about Cornbread. On the one hand, I had the privilige of witnessing a true billiard legend in action for a number of years, for that I am grateful. On the other hand, Reds constant banter and call to gamble could drive me crazy, especially if it was aimed in my general direction. I spent many of my early pool days riding the losers bracket or running out to the bank for more cash; that was the cost of being around Red. He could really put on a show.

I hope the good Lord has a sense of humor, because thats what you need if your going to be around Red. And Lord, if Reds having a good day, don't even think about playing Red with three hit and the pick in one pocket.

Rest in Peace,
David Krenzel
 
My best regards

My dearest condolenses go out to Ms. Bernie and the entire Burge family.
May he rest in peace and play his best game in heaven and have alot of fun doing it against the legends who had left us before him.
I never met him, but from what I can gather, his real name was "correct me if I am wrong" Billy Burge alias "Cornbread Red". His stagename, Cornbread Red is well known to me as a fiercely respected one pocket player. Nobody here in Germany likes to play one pocket with me, I usually always win or they don't understand or know the game. I'll keep trying to promote it, now even more "In memory of this legend", who by way of hearsay, taught me a shot that I will never forget and love to make.
I don't know who originally invented it, but I know Red made this shot to win a game! Back in 1975 or 76 this story was told to me by a guy named McCleary, a U.S. Soldier stationed with me in Schwabach, by Nuernburg Germany.
Stand 7:7, only one ball left to make. It lays on the head rail and roughly 1" to 2" from opponents corner pocket. The cueball lays roughly 1.5' behind this and just a little more than 2 ball widths from the head rail. A kick shot would be dangerous because the pocket is in the way and the "tit" would have to be judged perfectly. So...Red aims for a thin cut on the objectball into the head rail, rebounds the cue ball "off" the side rail and "time kisses" the ball into his pocket. Done right, its a rocket shot! Red must have said something like "Watch me shoot my pocket off the table with this!"
Those of you who knew Mr. William Burge personally are very envied by me! I only learned one shot, but that "one shot" taught me how to love the game of "One pocket". I only wish I were better situated to play the game more often....
"Rest in peace Cornbread Red"
Sincerly
SkipN
 
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For anyone who is interested, there will be a gathering in memory of Cornbread Red at Hall of Fame Billiards in Warren, MI March 6th at 4pm. You can call Hall of Fame Billiards at (586) 604-4588.

Cornbread will surely be missed. What a character!


Alice Rim
 
Sorry, I put the wrong number for Hall of Fame Billiards. The correct number is (586) 939-8880.
 
Cornbread Memorial 3/6/04 at 4 PM

eddieindetroit said:
I was hitting some balls around lunch time today (Feb. Fri. 13th) at Hall of
Fame Billiards outside Detroit when (I believe it was the manager Cass)
announced over the PA that Cornbread Red had died this morning of heart
failure at his home in Kentucky. Red was known and loved by many of the
players in my area. He will be missed. Sorry I don't have any more
information.

Eddie in Detroit
Click to expand...

Billy Joe "Cornbread Red" Burge died of heart failure (a first for Red) on Friday, Feburary 13th. He had retired to Prestonsburg, Kentucky after living in the metropolitan Detroit (MI) area for most of his pool-playing career. Cornbread is survived by his wife "Bernie" (Bernadette), two children and two grandchildren.

Red traveled all over the country as a road player - best known for his one-pocket game, his dry sense of humor, and his ability to make and win high-stakes matches. At the famous Johnson City tournaments in the 60's it's been rumored that he had difficulty finding anyone to play.

There will be a memorial celebration of Cornbread's life at Hall of Fame Billiards in Warren, MI on March 6th at 4 PM, with proceeds being donated to his wife to help cover the expenses they incurred for Red's medical care and funeral. You can call the room for more details: 586.939.8880 and ask for Cass. Be sure to double-check on the date and time with the room before you come. If you can't make it but have any stories about Red's exploits that you would care to share, you can post them below or email them to me and I'll make sure they're told: SnookerSandy@msn.com. Thanks.
 
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SnookerSandy said:
Billy Joe "Cornbread Red" Burge died of heart failure (a first for Red) on Friday, Feburary 13th. He had retired to Prestonsburg, Kentucky after living in the metropolitan Detroit (MI) area for most of his pool-playing career. Cornbread is survived by his wife "Bernie" (Bernadette), two children and two grandchildren.

Red traveled all over the country as a road player - best known for his one-pocket game, his dry sense of humor, and his ability to make and win high-stakes matches. At the famous Johnson City tournaments in the 60's it's been rumored that he had difficulty finding anyone to play.

There will be a memorial celebration of Cornbread's life at Hall of Fame Billiards in Warren, MI on March 6th at 4 PM, with proceeds being donated to his wife to help cover the expenses they incurred for Red's medical care and funeral. You can call the room for more details: 586.939.8880 and ask for Cass. Be sure to double-check on the date and time with the room before you come. If you can't make it but have any stories about Red's exploits that you would care to share, you can post them below or email them to me and I'll make sure they're told: SnookerSandy@msn.com. Thanks.
Click to expand...


My name is Carol Burge and I'm the oldest dauther of Cornbread Red. My father did die on Feb 13 of heart failure, however, I would like to make a correction regarding his family. He is survived by two STEP CHILDREN and four biological daughters: Carol Burge, Leslie Burge Storey, Claudia Burge and April Burge, as well as seven biological grand children and five biological great-grand children. We al will be attending the Hall of Fame Billiards for his memorial on March 6th.

Thank You,
Carol Burge
Hazel Park, MI
 
Cornbread Red is gone

My name is Carol Burge and I'm the oldest dauther of Cornbread Red. The reason for this post is mainly because I'd like to clear up a few misconceptions I've been reading all over the place, including the article printed in The Monday, February 23, 2004 edition of the Detroit News.

It's ture, my father did pass away on Feb 13, 2004 of heart failure, however, I would like to make a correction regarding his family. Along with his wife, Burnnie and his two step children, He is also survived by four biological daughters: Carol Burge, Leslie Burge Storey, Claudia Burge and April Burge, as well as seven biological grand children and five biological great-grand children. We al will be attending the Hall of Fame Billiards for his memorial on March 6th.

Thank You,
Carol Burge
Hazel Park, MI
 
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