Grady Mathews, Accu-Stats and YOU

[Terry Ardeno]

Grady Mathews is hosting a "Legends of Bank Pool" event at his room in SC on Sept 26, 27 & 28. He is having a "Legends of One Pocket" tournament at his pool room on December 5,6 & 7, 2008.

As Grady noted in his earlier thread, Nick Varner, Buddy Hall and who knows how many other "legendary" champions will play in these events.

Accu-Stats produces, in my opinion, the greatest product for the following reasons.
1. They preserve these great champions on film for posterity. Can you imagine if our generation could watch Ralph Greenleaf, Frank Taberski, Alfredo DeOro, Erwin Rudolph, Don Willis, Rotation Slim, James Evans, Harold Worst, etc & etc.?
Equally, can you imagine if succeeding generations had NO VIDEO of Earl, Buddy, Nick, Shannon, Efren, Jose, etc & etc.? Well, thanks to Accu-Stats, we can watch these great champions from the comfort of our own home anytime we wish.
2. For those who can not attend these tournaments for whatever reason, we're able to watch these matches with seats as good as, if not better than, had we attended. Add in the expert commentary of the likes of Billy Incardona, Grady Mathews, Danny DiLiberto, etc, plus the close ups, replays, etc and it's easy to see why Accu-Stats is so valued to those of us who really take our great sport seriously.

So, what's my point here?

It costs Pat Fleming lots and lots of money to transport his equipment, set up, record, edit, finish the product to DVD, etc. For him to video a tournament, he almost has to be assured that his products will be of interest enough to sell enough to cover his costs and to make his effort worth while. So far, Accu-Stats has been a staple at the U.S. Open and the Derby City Classic. But not since the Taco Bell sponsored Senior events in 1996 & 1997 has Accu-Stats filmed a seniors event.

My suggestion is for those who would like to see Accu-Stats cover Grady's tournaments to simply call Pat or his staff (Jim, Pete, etc) and express your interest and support in promising to buy the DVDs. This would not only give Pat the info he needs to evaluate whether this would be worth while or not, it would also show great support to Grady and his efforts at hosting senior events.

I'm going to be 50 in April, and, Lord willing, I'll be playing in all his events that I can. But even you younger members here need to remember that soon enough, you too will be an "old timer" and perhaps even more importantly, it is great to have these players preserved on tape so those who come after us can see for themselves what all the hub-bub was about when we speak of the great players of our time.

Accu-Stats number is 1-800-828-0397 for those who would like to express their support.

 

[BVal]

Grady Mathews is hosting a "Legends of Bank Pool" event at his room in SC on Sept 26, 27 & 28. He is having a "Legends of One Pocket" tournament at his pool room on December 5,6 & 7, 2008.

As Grady noted in his earlier thread, Nick Varner, Buddy Hall and who knows how many other "legendary" champions will play in these events.

Accu-Stats produces, in my opinion, the greatest product for the following reasons.
1. They preserve these great champions on film for posterity. Can you imagine if our generation could watch Ralph Greenleaf, Frank Taberski, Alfredo DeOro, Erwin Rudolph, Don Willis, Rotation Slim, James Evans, Harold Worst, etc & etc.?
Equally, can you imagine if succeeding generations had NO VIDEO of Earl, Buddy, Nick, Shannon, Efren, Jose, etc & etc.? Well, thanks to Accu-Stats, we can watch these great champions from the comfort of our own home anytime we wish.
2. For those who can not attend these tournaments for whatever reason, we're able to watch these matches with seats as good as, if not better than, had we attended. Add in the expert commentary of the likes of Billy Incardona, Grady Mathews, Danny DiLiberto, etc, plus the close ups, replays, etc and it's easy to see why Accu-Stats is so valued to those of us who really take our great sport seriously.

So, what's my point here?

It costs Pat Fleming lots and lots of money to transport his equipment, set up, record, edit, finish the product to DVD, etc. For him to video a tournament, he almost has to be assured that his products will be of interest enough to sell enough to cover his costs and to make his effort worth while. So far, Accu-Stats has been a staple at the U.S. Open and the Derby City Classic. But not since the Taco Bell sponsored Senior events in 1996 & 1997 has Accu-Stats filmed a seniors event.

My suggestion is for those who would like to see Accu-Stats cover Grady's tournaments to simply call Pat or his staff (Jim, Pete, etc) and express your interest and support in promising to buy the DVDs. This would not only give Pat the info he needs to evaluate whether this would be worth while or not, it would also show great support to Grady and his efforts at hosting senior events.

I'm going to be 50 in April, and, Lord willing, I'll be playing in all his events that I can. But even you younger members here need to remember that soon enough, you too will be an "old timer" and perhaps even more importantly, it is great to have these players preserved on tape so those who come after us can see for themselves what all the hub-bub was about when we speak of the great players of our time.

Accu-Stats number is 1-800-828-0397 for those who would like to express their support.

Great! Here is Terry with another wonderful post! Geez! Do you always have to be so wonderful!

BVal

 

[SCCues]

Grady Mathews is hosting a "Legends of Bank Pool" event at his room in SC on Sept 26, 27 & 28. He is having a "Legends of One Pocket" tournament at his pool room on December 5,6 & 7, 2008.

As Grady noted in his earlier thread, Nick Varner, Buddy Hall and who knows how many other "legendary" champions will play in these events.

Accu-Stats produces, in my opinion, the greatest product for the following reasons.
1. They preserve these great champions on film for posterity. Can you imagine if our generation could watch Ralph Greenleaf, Frank Taberski, Alfredo DeOro, Erwin Rudolph, Don Willis, Rotation Slim, James Evans, Harold Worst, etc & etc.?
Equally, can you imagine if succeeding generations had NO VIDEO of Earl, Buddy, Nick, Shannon, Efren, Jose, etc & etc.? Well, thanks to Accu-Stats, we can watch these great champions from the comfort of our own home anytime we wish.
2. For those who can not attend these tournaments for whatever reason, we're able to watch these matches with seats as good as, if not better than, had we attended. Add in the expert commentary of the likes of Billy Incardona, Grady Mathews, Danny DiLiberto, etc, plus the close ups, replays, etc and it's easy to see why Accu-Stats is so valued to those of us who really take our great sport seriously.

So, what's my point here?

It costs Pat Fleming lots and lots of money to transport his equipment, set up, record, edit, finish the product to DVD, etc. For him to video a tournament, he almost has to be assured that his products will be of interest enough to sell enough to cover his costs and to make his effort worth while. So far, Accu-Stats has been a staple at the U.S. Open and the Derby City Classic. But not since the Taco Bell sponsored Senior events in 1996 & 1997 has Accu-Stats filmed a seniors event.

My suggestion is for those who would like to see Accu-Stats cover Grady's tournaments to simply call Pat or his staff (Jim, Pete, etc) and express your interest and support in promising to buy the DVDs. This would not only give Pat the info he needs to evaluate whether this would be worth while or not, it would also show great support to Grady and his efforts at hosting senior events.

I'm going to be 50 in April, and, Lord willing, I'll be playing in all his events that I can. But even you younger members here need to remember that soon enough, you too will be an "old timer" and perhaps even more importantly, it is great to have these players preserved on tape so those who come after us can see for themselves what all the hub-bub was about when we speak of the great players of our time.

Accu-Stats number is 1-800-828-0397 for those who would like to express their support.

This is a great suggestion and i'd love to see Accu-stats do more tournaments. I was a video of the month member for years and I'd definately buy some of the DVD's from Grady's events. Maybe Pat could talk Grady into doing some of the commentary!

James

 

[grandpapkusky]

This is a great suggestion and i'd love to see Accu-stats do more tournaments. I was a video of the month member for years and I'd definately buy some of the DVD's from Grady's events. Maybe Pat could talk Grady into doing some of the commentary!

James

I would like to see T.A.R. start doing the tournaments that accu-stats won't cover. Competition in this area may be good for pool.

 

[MisterBanker]

Accu-Stats produces, in my opinion, the greatest product for the following reasons.
1. They preserve these great champions on film for posterity. Can you imagine if our generation could watch Ralph Greenleaf, Frank Taberski,

From what I've read about Taberski they wouldn't have had enough tape to film him. I think it was Billiards Digest that said he would take 2-3 minutes to shoot in a hanger.

As far as Grady's tournaments and Accu-Stats, one of my favourite tapes is Grady vs. Mike Gulyassy from Grady's Back Pocket 9-ball tournament way back in the '90s. I prefer the older Legends of One Pocket matches over the DCC One Pocket matches now.

I would definitely buy all the Bank matches that interest me, just the same way I do with the DCC matches.

 

[wahcheck]

pat does need support

I agree that Pat needs the support of people buying the DVD's if he is going to go to the expense of shooting video at this tournament..... it is just simple economics.....However, how many people have to buy a DVD of the matches in this tournament before Pat would make money? The last time I ordered a bunch of DVDs from Accu-Stats, I was told that business had been slow....and subsequently I posted a thread asking AZB'ers to support Accu-Stats by purchasing his videos.....I don't know how much that helped....

 

[Fatboy]

Terry,

Pat's work/business has been great for us all and wont be truely appericated for along time.

for some reason they are not keeping up with the times and moving to digital formats, DVD, or downloadable matches. If they charged $1 to watch a match on the computer when you wanted to, they would be selling aton more matches than VHS tape's. Somebody needs to remind Pat its 2008 and Tapes are history. The delivery of media is as important of the content of ther media. You cant watch what you cant see. I dont have aVCR in one of my houses. I truly hope that they take their inventory and move it to a CURRENT format.

best eric

oh yeah and happy 4th too.

 

[Fatboy]

I would like to see T.A.R. start doing the tournaments that accu-stats won't cover. Competition in this area may be good for pool.

or working collectivally and cross marketing the Brands, TAR has the right idea for delivery of the meia and Pat has the equipment, if they worked together it would be great for everyone.

 

[jay helfert]

Terry,

Pat's work/business has been great for us all and wont be truely appericated for along time.

for some reason they are not keeping up with the times and moving to digital formats, DVD, or downloadable matches. If they charged $1 to watch a match on the computer when you wanted to, they would be selling aton more matches than VHS tape's. Somebody needs to remind Pat its 2008 and Tapes are history. The delivery of media is as important of the content of ther media. You cant watch what you cant see. I dont have aVCR in one of my houses. I truly hope that they take their inventory and move it to a CURRENT format.

best eric

oh yeah and happy 4th too.

Everything Accu-Stats has done since 2003 is available on DVD. And many of the most popular matches from prior years have been remastered to DVD format. I'm looking at the 2008 Accu-Stats catalog now.

 

[Terry Ardeno]

Terry,

Pat's work/business has been great for us all and wont be truely appericated for along time.

for some reason they are not keeping up with the times and moving to digital formats, DVD, or downloadable matches. If they charged $1 to watch a match on the computer when you wanted to, they would be selling aton more matches than VHS tape's. Somebody needs to remind Pat its 2008 and Tapes are history. The delivery of media is as important of the content of ther media. You cant watch what you cant see. I dont have aVCR in one of my houses. I truly hope that they take their inventory and move it to a CURRENT format.

best eric

oh yeah and happy 4th too.

And Happy 4th to you as well, my friend.

Personally, I would prefer to have the matches on DVD. I am really dumb & behind in computer know how. I have never bought a streaming video because I honestly would have no idea how to save it to DVD. I've watched the IPT free matches, so if that's all they are, then maybe it's not as hard as I imagined to purchase & view one. Nonetheless, unless I could somehow copy it clearly to DVD, it wouldn't really interest me. I like reviewing my collection every so often. I watch all my tapes & DVDs over & over.
So for me at least, Accu-Stats still offers something very valuable to me. A permanent DVD of whatever match that interests me.

 

[Fatboy]

And Happy 4th to you as well, my friend.

Personally, I would prefer to have the matches on DVD. I am really dumb & behind in computer know how. I have never bought a streaming video because I honestly would have no idea how to save it to DVD. I've watched the IPT free matches, so if that's all they are, then maybe it's not as hard as I imagined to purchase & view one. Nonetheless, unless I could somehow copy it clearly to DVD, it wouldn't really interest me. I like reviewing my collection every so often. I watch all my tapes & DVDs over & over.
So for me at least, Accu-Stats still offers something very valuable to me. A permanent DVD of whatever match that interests me.

Terry it easy, i'm the WRONG guy to give advice on this topic(its right up there with spelling) but if they get them to a digital format DVD they could stop there and sell them, that would be great, mission accomplished.

If they wanted to go a step farther or further they could do like propoolvideo, where the matches are stored on a computer you could just click on one and pay $1 or $2 (i dont know what the best price would be) and just watch it when you wanted to, They dont have to put all the matches up like this, if they did 20 of them for a test to see the interest level, then add 5-10 more a month I bet Pat would make $$$, drive more traffic to his site and sell more matches on DVD, hawking tapes is gonna be the death of Accu-Stats, and none of us want that. Pat was rightfully entred into the HOF this year. But time marches foward and 8 trac tapes are history.

best regards

eric

 

[Terry Ardeno]

Let's not forget Grady in this plan...

As a long time supporter of Accu-Stats, Pat Fleming & his staff (Pete, Jim, etc) I really appreciate all the words of support shown to Accu-Stats. Not enough good things can be said about all the good they've done for pooldom.

But it's also my hope that we could also help give Grady a little boost as well, with him hosting all these senior events now. In my first post in this thread, I mentioned much about Accu-Stats needing a show of our support. Please, let's not forget to show equal support to Grady. Us older guys can hopefully have several tournaments every year where we can not only enter & play, but the stroll down memory lane is of equal value.

Most of us know about Grady's winning the World One Pocket Championship on 4 separate occasions, his placing 2nd in the World 9 Ball Championship, his abilities as an elite 14.1 and banks player and his accomplishments as an instructor, author, etc. Not even mentioning that he may be the premier pool commentator in the world (along with Bill Incardona). But here's something else about Grady that many may not be aware of.
Pat Fleming and Accu-Stats came and filmed a senior event that Grady hosted in Portland, Maine and wouldn't you know it, it was the worst few days of weather in all of New England that year. Attendance was low due to the terrible weather. Grady lost $10,000 in the event and Pat probably about half that. Grady said that for the first time in his life, he was unable to get a table company to furnish the equipment. One of his friends who owns Spot Shot Billiards was gracious enough to allow Grady to take four Gold Crowns out of his pool room for the tournament. Grady and a couple of his friends had to take the tables apart, carry them up the two long flights of stairs into a waiting truck and off to the Radisson Hotel. If you've ever carried slates from a 9 ft table around for any distance, you'll know what I mean when I say it's tiresome.
****After all of this, Grady completely paid the tournament off. Grady has said time and again that he remains proud of the fact that when his name goes on a poster, ALL MONIES GET PAID.

I don't know how many tournaments exactly the Professor has promoted. I think it's between 18-25, somewhere around there. And to have lost money in several of these and yet STILL plan on hosting more events...well, that's someone special right there. Any and all fan support shown towards Grady and his efforts may help him decide to continue sticking his neck out.

I know that Jay Helfert has the same reputation as Grady. They ALWAYS paid out, even if it meant digging in their own pocket.

And think of this...if a legend like Grady Mathews, with all his knowledge and experience, decides to stop promoting pool events, what kind of ripple affect could that have with other promoters? What if, one by one, the lack of fan support causes them to think twice before hosting tournaments. Then what?

So the bottom line is hopefully, Grady & Accu-Stats can each benefit, and if THEY do, then WE do as well.

 

[Fatboy]

I consider Grady a friend and was lucky enough to go to his 1P tournment in Reno 1993 where Ed Kelly beat Corn Bread Red in the finals, man that is such a shame that match didnt get taped, I promis you that it would be in the top 5 1P matches of all time, ?Jay and I were talking about it. What a tournment that was. Grady does know how to put on a event thats for sure, but he has the room going and i'm sure there will be a annual event there after he gets the "New business headaches" ut of the way and can concentrate on that instead of the day to day stuff that ordinarly takes a year or so to resolve.

there are alot more great events to come in the future, despite tough times, pool in one form or another will survive.

 

[Terry Ardeno]

I consider Grady a friend and was lucky enough to go to his 1P tournment in Reno 1993 where Ed Kelly beat Corn Bread Red in the finals, man that is such a shame that match didnt get taped, I promis you that it would be in the top 5 1P matches of all time, ?Jay and I were talking about it. What a tournment that was. Grady does know how to put on a event thats for sure, but he has the room going and i'm sure there will be a annual event there after he gets the "New business headaches" ut of the way and can concentrate on that instead of the day to day stuff that ordinarly takes a year or so to resolve.

there are alot more great events to come in the future, despite tough times, pool in one form or another will survive.

To be honest, I was real surprised when Ed Kelly came out of "retirement" and won that event. And very happy also! I didn't under-estimate him, I just factored wrong about the rust that may have been on his arm. I was wrong and I'm so glad he won. Ed Kelly is one of the most under-rated and non talked about pool champion ever. Him and Dallas West are two guys that, to me, never got enough credit.

Your words of encouragement about pools future is appreciated. I hope you're right.

 

[asbani]

Thanks to Grady & Accu-starts and all of the Staff that work there, for giving us all what we had. I own like 50 DVDs from accu-stats, Maybe more. mostly earl Matches. but To tell the truth, these people are great for our game. They are the best, thanks for what they already gave to our game, and I'm sure there is so much more.

 

[Grady]

Thanks

Thanks for all the great comments and support, guys. Terry is a much valued friend and one of the most knowledgeable pool men in our sport. I'm certainly no saint but I always loved pool more than me. So I tried to put on tournaments of the kind I would have wanted to play in.
If things end up ok after our first year, I'd like to have two senior events, a Back Pocket 9 Ball, two Bank Pools, two One Pockets and a 14.1. Right now it's all we can do to get through the summer.
I had one other tournament that went down to the last ball and Accu-stats does have it on film. It was when Shannon and Steve Mizerak played in the finals. I won't tell you who won so if you'd like to get it, it'll be a mystery as to who prevailed.

 

[SCCues]

I had one other tournament that went down to the last ball and Accu-stats does have it on film. It was when Shannon and Steve Mizerak played in the finals. I won't tell you who won so if you'd like to get it, it'll be a mystery as to who prevailed.

I have the video of Shannon and Steve Mizerak and the match was just outstanding. The commentary was great also. I really liked Jimmy Fusco as a one pocket commentator with his very knowledgeable comments.

I won't say who one either, but it's one of the most exciting one pocket matches i've seen.

James

 

[enzo]

Thanks for all the great comments and support, guys. Terry is a much valued friend and one of the most knowledgeable pool men in our sport. I'm certainly no saint but I always loved pool more than me. So I tried to put on tournaments of the kind I would have wanted to play in.
If things end up ok after our first year, I'd like to have two senior events, a Back Pocket 9 Ball, two Bank Pools, two One Pockets and a 14.1. Right now it's all we can do to get through the summer.
I had one other tournament that went down to the last ball and Accu-stats does have it on film. It was when Shannon and Steve Mizerak played in the finals. I won't tell you who won so if you'd like to get it, it'll be a mystery as to who prevailed.

Grady,

Was there a little banter after that match between the two??? In the video it always seemed there was something heating up a little before cutting out. Can you elaborate, or was it really nothing??

Thanks!