Question for JAM (of Keith)

K

KMRUNOUT

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
JAM,

I was reading through the Keith thread on here. I remember going to a Joss event in Quincy, MA about 5 years ago. I had never seen Keith play but knew he existed and saw his "character" in The Color of Money. So I rememebr hearing some commotion across the room. I wander over and get my first taste of teh Keith McCready show. I don't remember who he was playing (what does THAT say? ha ha). I just remember being mesmerized the way he narrated the action and just fired in rediculous shots like they were hangers. Since then, every time I have the chance to see him play, I consider it a real treat. He may not be near the same form now that he was back in his prime, but it is still obvious that pool seeped into a deeper level within Keith than most other living humans. I saw him playing at Valley Forge a year or two ago on the bar boxes. That is just outrageous to watch.

SO...my question: do you know of any video at all of Keith in his prime? I am 34, so I will never be able to go back to the 70's and 80's and see what he could do in person. I sure would love to see it on tape though. I realize not everyone was walking around back then with a video camera. Still, do you know of anything? I would happily pay to copy tapes, postage, etc. if you happen to have some of this laying around. Feel free to PM me. Keith ranks up there with the greatest of the greats-I want to SEE all the things people were talking about in the other thread!!

Thanks,

Kerry

PS-I guess I can't edit the title of my thread? I meant to say (or Keith)
 
Thanks so much for acknowledging Keith as a great player.

It is quite a compliment to Keith that his style of play is appreciated. When he connects with the audience, with folks like you, this is the fuel which ignites his pool engine, and whoever is on the other side of the table better watch out because Keith will be transformed into his Ether with the Keither mode. :D

I'm pretty sure who Keith was playing was Billy the Kid at Quincy in the back room, if memory serves me right. We've been there twice, and so I can't remember which time it was he played Billy the Kid. Billy shot his wad at Keith and came up empty, leaving poor Billy busted and disgusted. :(

Keith admired Billy the Kid's gamble. The two of them soon became friends after the match-up. I think Keith ended up giving him back a C-note, as well as paying for Billy's drinks the rest of the evening, which was a strange concoction of about five different liquors.

There aren't too many videos of young Keith. The ones I do know about are:

Keith versus Gary Nolan a/k/a "Bushwhacker" - Accu-Stats x-rated version
Keith and Harry Platus versus Ronnie Allen
Keith versus Earl Strickland in 1984
Keith versus Mike Sigel in 1984

If you PM me your postal address, it would be my pleasure to send you a personally autographed photo of Keith. I have to get some made up at the photo store soon, and your name will be included on the list of my deliverables as soon as I get time to follow through! :)

JAM
 
s'portplayer said:
TAP TAP for JAM and Keith.

Do you two make it to Louisiana anymore?
Click to expand...

If and when I can ever retire, I am definitely headed to Beautiful Dixie. :)

I love the South, the people, the cuisine, and that sweet Southern charm that can't be experienced anywhere else in the world.

Someday, I sure would like to meet some of the folks that Keith speaks so kindly of.

JAM
 
Dana Bufalo said:
Keith McCready (.943) def. Jose Parica (.818)

This may not be Keith at a young age but Accu-Stats lists this as one of it's, "most entertaining match that it has ever offered. Keith steals the show and the audience approval".

http://www.accu-stats.com/Qstore/Qstore.cgi?CMD=011&PROD=1069616386&BACK=A0004A1
Click to expand...

That's a real beauty, Keith at his finest. I love that video! If they had played the finals that night, Keith would have won it. He was on fire.

That match ended at 3:00 a.m. in the morning. Keith couldn't get to sleep, said he couldn't stop seeing pool balls in his head. :D

JAM
 
The "Keith Show" was/is a great show, not only could he play DUH, he was/is so fun to watch, his antics, words, etc. in the movie he wasnt acting the was keith, I said that during the movie, they should have given the casting director a Oscar for picking him for that part, someone did their homework. And keith was just being Keith, isnt that great?

I would love to see keith play a Action Match like SVB and Cory. Earl and Keith race to 100 playing 9 ball, with mic's on each player, forget the commentators, just listing to them or nothing at all would be a great match, it would sound like 2 drunkin sailors onb leave with all the 4 letter words but that would make it cool, not only would you see great pool but be connected with both players, even a race to 120 would be good, as they both could catch a gear and put together some 6-8 packs, I promis that match would have a larger audience that any match I can think of right now.

I hope Keith would be willing to play it, Earl has one comming up so he is ready to go, JAM give Keith a swift kick in the bum and make it happen, He would get a good payday, and the fans would love it. Everyone wants to see keith play for big $$$, even if he dosent play like beforeso what? he is fun and Earl is too when he dosent lose his cool, and honestly I dont think he would playing Keith.

lets get it on!!!!!
 
Fatboy said:
The "Keith Show" was/is a great show, not only could he play DUH, he was/is so fun to watch, his antics, words, etc. in the movie he wasnt acting the was keith, I said that during the movie, they should have given the casting director a Oscar for picking him for that part, someone did their homework. And keith was just being Keith, isnt that great?

I would love to see keith play a Action Match like SVB and Cory. Earl and Keith race to 100 playing 9 ball, with mic's on each player, forget the commentators, just listing to them or nothing at all would be a great match, it would sound like 2 drunkin sailors onb leave with all the 4 letter words but that would make it cool, not only would you see great pool but be connected with both players, even a race to 120 would be good, as they both could catch a gear and put together some 6-8 packs, I promis that match would have a larger audience that any match I can think of right now.

I hope Keith would be willing to play it, Earl has one comming up so he is ready to go, JAM give Keith a swift kick in the bum and make it happen, He would get a good payday, and the fans would love it. Everyone wants to see keith play for big $$$, even if he dosent play like beforeso what? he is fun and Earl is too when he dosent lose his cool, and honestly I dont think he would playing Keith.

lets get it on!!!!!
Click to expand...


Damn straight, I'm thinking a little two shot roll out and we're in business
It's time to get the colonel's troops out of the hot sun :D
 
Cmon

JAM said:
If and when I can ever retire, I am definitely headed to Beautiful Dixie. :)

I love the South, the people, the cuisine, and that sweet Southern charm that can't be experienced anywhere else in the world.

Someday, I sure would like to meet some of the folks that Keith speaks so kindly of.

JAM
Click to expand...

CMON DOWNNNNNNN!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We'd love to have ya down here and yes be ready to receive all the Southern Charm you can handle.

I've never met Keith, but have heard a few stories about when he came to town and played Buddy Hall. Too bad we don't have that kind of action too much anymore.
 
JAM said:
That's a real beauty, Keith at his finest. I love that video! If they had played the finals that night, Keith would have won it. He was on fire.

That match ended at 3:00 a.m. in the morning. Keith couldn't get to sleep, said he couldn't stop seeing pool balls in his head. :D

JAM
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LOL LOL LOL

I could just see him now, counting pool balls in his sleep. LOL LOL
 
Fatboy said:
...lets get it on!!!!!
Click to expand...

Keith and Earl have played many times in the '80s on the American tournament trail when Earl the Pearl was at his peak. Keith said he was the bride's maid to Earl on more than on occasion. However, Keith did score a noteworthy win against him on St. Patrick's Day at The Maverick Club, the Lexington Open in 1983 (subject to check on the 1983).

In recent times, the two of them ended up in the finals at a Joss event in Rochester at Classic Billiards, and the place was packed, standing room only. Earl marched in with his three pool cases and was wearing his game face. Keith was waiting for him, holding his one and only cue, looking like an Amazon warrior. :D

When the match commenced, Earl was a little uptight, but Keith wasn't going to let that happen. So he brought the best out of Earl, getting him to smile between shots. The two of them actually seemed to be having fun, but then things got real serious when it came down to the double hill, with Keith breaking. :eek:

You could cut the air with a knife, the tension was so thick. Now, anybody who knows Keith realizes he doesn't have the best break in the world. I was biting my nails, praying Keith could make a ball on the break, just this once, dag nab it. :(

Keith fired at the rack with all his might, and much to my delight, he made three balls on the break. I was on my feet, cheering, but the balls hadn't quite come to a stop yet, and I soon watched in horror as the cue-ball swooped in the side pocket for a scratch. Earl couldn't get to the table quick enough and ran the rack out for the big win. It was still a great match, though, even if Keith had to be Earl's bride's maid once more. :o

Picture, courtesy of PoolPics by Hoppe, taken at the 2003 Joss Tour event at Classic Billiards of Winner Earl Strickland and Bride's Maid Keith McCready! :D

JAM
 

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I think I was there.

JAM said:
Keith and Earl have played many times in the '80s on the American tournament trail when Earl the Pearl was at his peak. Keith said he was the bride's maid to Earl on more than on occasion. However, Keith did score a noteworthy win against him on St. Patrick's Day at The Maverick Club, the Lexington Open in 1983 (subject to check on the 1983).

In recent times, the two of them ended up in the finals at a Joss event in Rochester at Classic Billiards, and the place was packed, standing room only. Earl marched in with his three pool cases and was wearing his game face. Keith was waiting for him, holding his one and only cue, looking like an Amazon warrior. :D

When the match commenced, Earl was a little uptight, but Keith wasn't going to let that happen. So he brought the best out of Earl, getting him to smile between shots. The two of them actually seemed to be having fun, but then things got real serious when it came down to the double hill, with Keith breaking. :eek:

You could cut the air with a knife, the tension was so thick. Now, anybody who knows Keith realizes he doesn't have the best break in the world. I was biting my nails, praying Keith could make a ball on the break, just this once, dag nab it. :(

Keith fired at the rack with all his might, and much to my delight, he made three balls on the break. I was on my feet, cheering, but the balls hadn't quite come to a stop yet, and I soon watched in horror as the cue-ball swooped in the side pocket for a scratch. Earl couldn't get to the table quick enough and ran the rack out for the big win. It was still a great match, though, even if Keith had to be Earl's bride's maid once more. :o

Picture, courtesy of PoolPics by Hoppe, taken at the 2003 Joss Tour event at Classic Billiards of Winner Earl Strickland and Bride's Maid Keith McCready! :D

JAM
Click to expand...

I believe I was there. I have a really crappy memory after a car accident but besides the point. I have seen Mr. Personality (Keith) at Classics in Rochester (where I live) but not sure if that was the year or not. I have lots of video of him. I have never seen him before and the camera just kept pulling in his direction LOL.:D

He is very funny and I have him waving at the camera numerous times with that quirky smile. He's great. I wish I had the gull to go up and meet him at the time. He kept drinkin all the Bud and there was none left for me!!! Great guy and if you guys are to be at Classics in Rochester again for the Joss in March I would love to know. I will have to meet you guys!!! Please let me know. thanks
 
For those that don't know

The Color of Money is on ESPN Classic (ch 246 on Cox) on Sunday night at 8 pm (I think that is Eastern Time).
 
one of the best keith matches ever is an old ESPN tuxedo match of him and Efren. The format was a race to 9 i believe and Keith is young and chirping the whole match. Some of the one liners in that match are priceless. Keith is my all time favorite and if he reads this she if he remembers this.----Efren shoots a ball left "winged" and the ref calls a foul and keith knows its not a foul but the ref called it anyway and takes the cue ball and makes one ball and sets up a combo and fires it in lol. "you have to see it to understand"
My point being that their are so many lone liners he uses i crack up the whole match. It is circa late 80 early 90's. Best line keith shooting the 9 hill hill very tough thin cut and cant reach it and says "how you like shooting this ball left winged for your money" and one strokes it in lol PRICELESS
 
frankwhite said:
LOL LOL LOL

I could just see him now, counting pool balls in his sleep. LOL LOL
Click to expand...

Usually, when he hits the sack, he falls out like a log, but not this time at the Open. He could not get to sleep. Actually, he was pretty excited thinking he might have a chance to win the Open. I think it is ever pool player's dream. We were getting phone calls from friends around the country, giving Keith good wishes. He was really hoping to play well.

What was brutal was the next morning, we had to rise and shine by at least 10:00 a.m., and Keith had to be ready to play Jeremy Jones at 12:00 noon. Keith was starved, and I went downstairs in the Holiday Inn to get him some breakfast. He couldn't wait and ate some luncheon meat we had in our fridge. Because of a 2-day power outage in the area due to Tropical Storm Isabel, the meat and mayonnaise was bad, giving Keith an immediate case of food poisoning. So off we went to the Chespeake Conference Center, and Keith was sick as a dog.

Jose Parica played Rodney Morris in the loser's bracket match. Keith and Jeremy were in the winner's side. Rodney's match the night before didn't end until 4:30 a.m.

These were difficult conditions to play under for all players, I think. Jose demolished Rodney. Jeremy steamrolled over Keith. Then Jose gave Keith a payback for beating him the night before and proceeded to knock Keith out of the tournament.

The finals match was between Jeremy and Jose. Of course, Jeremy Jones triumphed. Those who were there will probably always remember this finals. It wasn't very pretty, but a win is a win, no matter how you get there. :)

Check out this picture of Earl Strickland trying to get some items out of his car during Tropical Storm Isabel, courtesy of Poolpics by Hoppe. After losing power in the whole area for 2 days, promoter Barry Behrman miraculously got a generator big enough to give power to the Chesapeake Conference Center so the Open could progress. :p

JAM
 

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