JDB said:
Nope probably not the right Tony. Tony was an average guy, not overweight at all. He was an extremely strong player. I am sure you would know him if he was still around. I think I have heard Jam mention before, as well.
Thanks for the information.
Tony Long was good bar action, and he did attract quite a few road agents to Pulaski Highway about 3 to 4 years ago. Hot Shots was hopping all night long. I think Tony used to work at Hot Shots, but for whatever reason, I believe he and Sonny had a misunderstanding, resulting in Tony's termination of that job.
Sonny is a good guy, as is his whole family. They were very kind to my boyfriend, before he became my boyfriend.
I hear Piano Man is back in town, and if he's around, I'll bet the action is beginning to spark up again. Pool rooms need players like Piano Man and Tony Long. It makes the room fun and does draw in the crowds.
I think I will have to take a trip to Baltimore sometime soon and hang out in Hot Shots. I have enjoyed many a night there, sweating all the action games. It was a railbird's dream, to sit right there in the middle of it, seeing Cigar Tom, West Virginia Frank, Punky, Pooky, Ryan McCreesh, White Max, Black Henry, Bobby Hawk, Fat Wayne, Piano Man, Squirrel, Duck, and road agents galore. The people who work behind the counter are very nice to the patrons too, serving up homemade delicacies, like that ambrosial Maryland crab soup! YUMMIE!
I remember one night when I was there, every table was going, and there were about five or six action games. I was on a backers committee for one game, but I was sweating another one that my boyfriend was playing.
Lo and behold, one of the local young men got into a fight with another local young man over a girl. Of course, everybody stopped playing, and there was a little bit of a commotion. Within minutes, things resumed back to normal. Sonny walked in after the fact and was told about the uprising. I happened to be sitting there at the soda fountain, and when I looked to Sonny to see his reaction, he goes, "Just another day in paradise." I don't know why, but that tickled my funny bone, the way he said it, with a grin on his face. He is not only a good businessman, family man, but he is a very nice person.
Long live Hot Shots, the last of action rooms in my area! The only thing I wish would change is, well, that Regal Inn next door. If you've ever been to Hot Shots late at night, then you know what I'm talking about!
JAM
