Sad news about Grady Matthews.

Grady,

All things are possible. Make sure you ghost this forum. I'll let our friend know and I'm sure he will be sad, as he was when he found out of Denny's passing. You will be missed....but more importantly, I believe every special human being will walk again.
 
Thank You

Thank you Grady for all you have done for pool. You are a true legend and hero, and it wouldn't surprise me if you came with a strong shot and fought off the odds. God Bless!
 
A few fond memories of Grady

I started this thread about my friend Grady and I sincerely hope I'm not going to be the last to post here. I have enjoyed reading all that have posted their fond memories of such a loved man. No bad words here.

In 1983 I left my home in Charlotte to attend a tournament in Columbia, S.C..
Usually when I get to a tournament location, the first thing I do is top off my tank with gas so I don't have to stop when I leave but I was in such a hurry to see a lot of my friends I hadn't seen in awhile, I went straight into the tournament room. During the majority of the tournament, I spent my time sitting in the stands with Grady as he booked and handicapped matches. I placed my bets with the man and was doing pretty well but Grady had a wad of bills in all four of his pockets and each one would choke a horse. The last day of the event I was once again sitting in my spot next to Grady and he looked at me and said, "aren't you going to place a bet on a match today"? I told him I had lost my whole wad the previous night at his pool room betting on Keith Mckready. I said, "as a matter of fact I need to borrow 10 bucks from someone for gas to get home with". Grady handed me a hundred bucks and said "see you at the next tournament". What a guy ! Grady was not only the greatest handicapper I've ever known but also a wonderful human being.

In 2006, my wife and I saw Grady at a tournament in Atlanta and it was my wife's first meeting with the great one. We had diner together and after diner I asked Grady if I could get a picture of him and my wife. Grady was never one to turn down a photo op with a sweet woman so he was happy to jump up beside her a put his arm around her for the picture. I fiddled around with the camera for a few moments and finally had to say, "sorry Grady, I'm going to have to change the batteries in this camera". Grady just looked at me and said, "take your time Jim, I can hold this pose for hours". This is the picture.
GradyandStarlett.JPG


In 1984 I was visiting a friend of mine that owned a small poolroom in Asheville, N.C. and he showed me a cue that he told me he had gotten from Grady Mathews. It was one of the first 100 cues made my Schon Cues. It didn't look like much more than a sneaky peat but with a nice stanless steal joint. I asked him if he wanted to sell the cue and he said "give me 60 bucks and it's yours". So I did. Since that time I have been offered 500 for it a few times, but I'm still hanging on to it. At the end of this month I will be playing in the "Smoky Mountain Shoot Out" in North Carolina and that might just be the last tournament I ever play in. Although I have other custom cues I normally play with, I will be playing with this old Schon in honor of you Grady.
schon_cue01.jpg


Thanks for the memories.
Jim
 
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I have known Grady for almost 20 years. Not really well but well enough that we know each other and say hello affectionately. To say Grady has been a big influence on my pool playing and enjoyment of the game would be an understatement.

I have held off posting these past few days because I want to cry. Grady has given his whole life to the game of pool and served it in every capacity. In so many ways he has been the bridesmaid and not the bride. He can be hard to get along with but like so many people when you really get to know him then he is revealed to be a sweetheart of a man and super gracious.

Grady, I am sure you will read all this and when you do I want to say publicly that I thank you more than I can ever express for welcoming me into the billiard industry when I was a snot-nosed kid trying to sell a couple cases. You have mentored me in a dozen ways without even knowing it.

I hope to God that the prognosis is not true and that you beat this. When it comes to pure heart and the willingness to ship it in you have been and remained the original model for all others to follow. You have always been willing to give up the nuts and then outrun them and this time is no different.

I can't wait for you to be at DCC next year telling us how you gave cancer the six and busted him. And if you get some more bad rolls and not get there then rest assured that you will live forever through your deeds and the memories of your loyal fans like me.

Your friend,

John
 
God Bless Grady

Dear Mr. Grady,
You have been one of the finest ambassadors of our fine sport.
It will forever be better because of you.
You will be missed but never forgotten.
God Bless.
 
The first time I saw Grady play was during his tour with Alison Fisher. It was probably the best exhibition I have ever been witness to and not because of the play (although both played exceptionally) but because of how approachable Grady was. He was asking the crowd for unusual scenarios so he could show us what he would do. We came up with some good pickles and he had a solution each and every time. I was so entertained and I wished I had known how unusual that event would be.

The last time I saw him was at The 14.1 World Championships at Comet in 2009. He introduced himself to me as though to cater to the possibility that I was one of the remaining 5 pool players on the planet that had no idea who he was. Since I was clearly also playing, I appreciated his peer-like attitude toward me even though we probably both knew, I wasn't a peer.

I hope everyone here got to see this man play, not just for his play but to actually meet him. He's a class act and I'll always remember him for that.
 
Grady,

We've never met. For that, I'm sorry and it's my loss.

I'm 37 years old and love the game of pool and billiards. I played for several years in my youth, up to the age of 23 or so.

I took an almost 15 year hiatus from this game that we all love. For the reasons that many of us quote when we wander away from this pastime. For a wife that didn't last. For "an education" that I never used the degree for. I claimed I didn't have the time, but for the life of me, the years I spent away seemed wasted on much more trivial things.

I've been back to the table for right at a year now. God, I didn't realize how long it takes to shake the rust off. And sometimes I look around the room and wonder how in the heck I could have ever left. Pool was good to me. It made me happy. And I walked away. It almost feels like I cheated on it with other worldly pursuits. There are days that I feel more than a tinge of guilt.

I vow to never do that again. I'm going to try to give back to the game the best way that I can. To try to teach someone that I see that spark of interest and potential in.

About 2 months ago, I played 1-pocket for the first time in my life. Just for a few minutes. It seemed mildly interesting. I told myself I'd try it again sometime. When I had more time.

I played in my league's 9-ball state tournament this weekend. Didn't do too well. Finished middle of the pack. But, the highlight turned out to be after the tournament.

I asked one of the older players if he could show me how to play 1-pocket and really break down the rules and strategy.

In an hour, my best friend and I were enthralled by the game. How could I have gone this long without playing it? Banks, crossbanks, safeties? O, 1-pocket, where have you been all my life?

I wish I had gotten to know you, Grady. The best I can do at this point is to try to play the game.....all the games.....to the best of my ability. To never disrespect it.

And maybe most of all.....to pass on anything I ever learn to someone else, specifically those that are new, young or that have a thirst for pool and billiard knowledge.

So that we're all better players.

From what I've read, seen and heard, Grady Mathews.......we're ALL better players because of you.

Thank you, Professor.





A fan,


Justin Wray

Salem, Arkansas
 
Grady you are a fighter and if the cancer can be outran you will do it as you have outran many a spot in the past. I have enjoyed your company a few times here in Indy and at the DCC for the past few years. This year your voice was missing but your heart was ever present. Keep the faith there is a plan and every thing will work for the good of those that love the LORD.

Good luck Grady I am glad to say I know you.

Dana From Indy
 
Grady,

I really enjoy all of the accu-stats videos with you doing commentary, Professor Matthews. You and Billy Incardona would argue all of the time over shot selection and just silly shit! I also have some of your accu-stats instructional videos. You have a vast amount of knowledge on kicking systems, which is what that 1 video of yours focused entirely on. I've never seen most of that knowledge anywhere else. I actually used one of your 1 rail kicking systems in 2 different matches to kick a ball in. Tremendous knowledge!

You're very articulate too for an old pool hustler. I love the "fraught with peril" catch phrase that you use for difficult shots. You had a lot of crazy, yet very articulate phrases which were entertaining and informative. Your commentary and pool knowledge are second to none.

Thanks a lot for all of the pool knowledge you passed on to me.
 
Good luck Grady, may all our prayers be with you.

All that you are, and all you have achieved, will survive in all those who's lives you have enriched by your dedication and spirit.

May the Lord have one more "8 and out" run left for you, so we all can enjoy your company on this earth a little while longer.:smile:
 
I won't say goodbye, you're a fighter, and you've proved us wrong before.

Do it again.

Kevin
 
Best wishes and prayers for a legend of the game! I think we would all benefit by being a student of the Professor. Thank you for all you've done.
 
Grady Mathews (one T)

I have been putting off this post for a long time.

I just keep thinking if I ignore it - Grady will get better.

I have known Grady over 20 years. Brought him to Alaska back in late 92 for a great time (and treat) for all of the Alaskas players. He really liked it up there! I still cannot remember where I met him, but I am sure it will come to me).

A couple of months later, about 7 of us showed up at his 1993 One Pocket event at the Flamingo in Reno. It snowed so much, they closed the airport! That is where I met Bugs (he arrived late and everyone voted to let him in the tournament).

108 players with an $1,100 entry (But last place payed $1,000).

That is where I met Johnny Ervolino, saw Bill Amadeo (who was just signing his lease on his new room in Tampa called FATS - he was like 80 at the time).

Event was played on Global tables, and Eddie Kelly won - with I think Cornbread coming in second. Steve Cook played well but came up short and there were a LOT of cool players.

And Grady caused it to happen and did it ALL!!!!

Some time in the future, maybe I will ramble on about the famous Mathews vs Reyes One Pocket match at Hardtimes. We (my ex and I) backed Grady against this guy who was just learning one pocket. LOL

It just shows how fearless Grady was. Never afraid of a challenge - and never afraid to tell you where he stood. I also saw his picture in Colorado Springs from when he had the room up there AND ran for City Council!!

I always liked Grady, and I just wanted him to know that he made a difference to me.

Mark Griffin
 
We have met on many occassions, most reciently at your room in Lexington and I wish to send my thoughts and prayers for Grady and his family. Grady is a gentlemen, a scholar and a judge of fine liquor ...there a damn few of us left! So sorry to hear the news.
 
We've never met, Grady, but you've had an influence on my game and my love for it.

May you get all the rolls, sir. You've earned them.

Brian in VA
 
Grady

I wish the doctors are wrong. Grady is so knowledgeable in one pocket and just in pool in general. I learned a lot from his comments. I like his attitude of being humble.
 
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