Speaking of Jack White
- Thread starter NewStroke
- Start date
Dan...Jack White is very much "for real"! He has probably done more for getting pocket billiards played by college students, and military personnel than almost anybody (and certainly more than anybody in the past 50 yrs). He toured the U.S. (doing his shows & clinics), and the entire world, traveling under the Dept. of Defense. He has done command performances in the White House, for the President; and Buckingham Palace, for the Queen of England. Sometime back, Jack even had an opportunity to play pool (and get a photo op) with none other than the Dailai Lhama! What other poolplayers have done those things?
Originally from Pittsburgh, Jack was a full time gambler, in his 20's, and went on many road trips, including some with notable players like Luther Lassiter, Don Willis, and several others. In his 30's he began doing trick shot exhibitions in colleges and military bases, and travelled the world, for more than 40 years (he is 77 now). Pool & Billiard Magazine did a story on Jack, for their "Legends of the Road" series of articles. Many AzBr's here are familiar with Jack, through their college or military experiences. I took over his tour in 1995, and am still traveling the country 200 days a year.
Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com
Originally from Pittsburgh, Jack was a full time gambler, in his 20's, and went on many road trips, including some with notable players like Luther Lassiter, Don Willis, and several others. In his 30's he began doing trick shot exhibitions in colleges and military bases, and travelled the world, for more than 40 years (he is 77 now). Pool & Billiard Magazine did a story on Jack, for their "Legends of the Road" series of articles. Many AzBr's here are familiar with Jack, through their college or military experiences. I took over his tour in 1995, and am still traveling the country 200 days a year.
Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com
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He got me started in pool in 1972 while in the USAF. He is only one of two players that I have seen that can "float the cue ball" around the table (the other being Steve Mizerak). Absolutley world class speed and a great trick shot artist.
Scott, do you know which issue of P&B Mag the Legends feature was in?
ragbug74...I have the issue somewhere!...mid 90's I think. I believe you can go to www.poolmag.com, and search Jack White. That should turn it up. If not, let me know, and I'll email Tom Shaw...he wrote the article.
Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com
Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com
Scott are you doing anything or have some one for the Miltary ? I emailed someone that has to do with the all Army sports program and asked why there was not an All army pool team but never got an email back. Would you know anybody i can get in contact with ?
Isn't he with the Raconteers and the White Stripes?
Oops, wrong Jack White
Oops, wrong Jack White
Respect
I have a lot of respect for Jack White. He came to my University 3 out of my 4 years and was great to watch and play. 99% of people would get worn out and bored with that repetitive lifestyle but he kept it up and was always in a great mood, and funny to boot.
We ALWAYS had a great time with him, and by we I mean the pool rats at the college pool hall where we stayed most of our college careers. He really did a great job.
Scott, do you ever make it to the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa?
I have a lot of respect for Jack White. He came to my University 3 out of my 4 years and was great to watch and play. 99% of people would get worn out and bored with that repetitive lifestyle but he kept it up and was always in a great mood, and funny to boot.
We ALWAYS had a great time with him, and by we I mean the pool rats at the college pool hall where we stayed most of our college careers. He really did a great job.
Scott, do you ever make it to the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa?
Thomas McKane...Yes, I have been to UAT three times, but not for several years. I've also been to UAH and UAB. The last time I was at Tuscaloosa, they were considering closing down the poolroom, and opening an internet cafe (exactly like they did at Auburn). This would have been around the end of the 90's. Did that ever happen at Tuscaloosa? Another one of my favorite schools in AL was TSU, in Troy. I went there 5 years in a row.
You're certainly right on about the lifestyle, and the attitude necessary to be a showman. You MUST love what you're doing. I've got 15 years under my belt now, but I still get excited every time I do a show!
Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com
You're certainly right on about the lifestyle, and the attitude necessary to be a showman. You MUST love what you're doing. I've got 15 years under my belt now, but I still get excited every time I do a show!
Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com
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In all fairness, the poolroom at Auburn (Foy Union's basement) closed years before they ever thought of putting anything in there. They just used it for storage for a couple of years at least. That's where I saw Jack White, skipping school, lol.
First time I saw Jack
I saw Jack White for the first time back in 1972 at Skagit Valley College in Mount Vernon, WA. In addition to being a world class player he was a world class talker as well. I asked Mike Massey if he knew him. Mike said that he didn't but had heard that Jack could give Minnesota Fats a run for the money when it came to conversation. I totally agree. I saw him again at Central Washington University in Ellensburg in 1975 and he was even better. A very entertaining person. I am very glad to hear that he is still going strong. Any idea if he is going to be in Washington state any time soon? I would love to see him again.
Lunchmoney
I saw Jack White for the first time back in 1972 at Skagit Valley College in Mount Vernon, WA. In addition to being a world class player he was a world class talker as well. I asked Mike Massey if he knew him. Mike said that he didn't but had heard that Jack could give Minnesota Fats a run for the money when it came to conversation. I totally agree. I saw him again at Central Washington University in Ellensburg in 1975 and he was even better. A very entertaining person. I am very glad to hear that he is still going strong. Any idea if he is going to be in Washington state any time soon? I would love to see him again.
Lunchmoney
lunchmoney...CWU was one of my first gigs, when I took over Jack's tour. He is retired now...
Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com
Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com
muttley76...Jack did his 5-day "clinic" at Auburn for almost 20 years. I was with him, the last time he did it, in 1994, and was "promised" by the Union Director to 'take over the gig'. I was told they took the tables out (because of the internet cafe idea), and when I went back there in '95, the room was empty. Didn't know if they put in the cafe, but they never brought back the gameroom! 
Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com
Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com
JoseV...I do many more schools than military bases, these days, as things are tight with the military (closing bases left and right), and the $$$ is better in the college market. When I do something military, I usually just contact the MWR person at a particular base. I don't know anything about contacting someone higher up in the Army chain of command. Sorry...
Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com
Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com
I've never heard anything but good things about Jack White.
I saw him several times at Texas Tech in the late 80's early 90's. He was always entertaining and very approachable.
One of the things that I noticed was that he always played in a sport coat (usually a fairly loud one). I always thought that would really be uncomfortable to play in but he was a product of a different era.
One of the things that I noticed was that he always played in a sport coat (usually a fairly loud one). I always thought that would really be uncomfortable to play in but he was a product of a different era.
I still carry his Pool-ology book in my case. 1996 or so at Iowa State University -- I walk into the Union Poolroom with my case, about an hour before the show. "Get it out, dude" HUH? "You didn't come to watch, get it out..." and so began a wonderful moment in the game, for me. Jack was an awsome player (last pocket 8 ball) and I appreciate him taking it easy on me, I was so nervous in front of a crowd, as folks began to gather for the show. LOL -- Jack missed during one rack -- on purpose, I am sure -- and I ran out the rack. "Boy, now I'm gonna beat you like a rented mule"... LOL - I couldn't help it -- what a great guy! and the stories he could tell.... Entertaining.
I think you must have been there 'in the background' someplace Scott -- I remember him talking about 'this youngster' taking over for him.
Glad to hear Jack is well. Best wishes.
I think you must have been there 'in the background' someplace Scott -- I remember him talking about 'this youngster' taking over for him.
Glad to hear Jack is well. Best wishes.
Lunchmoney...Trust me, Jack is NOT struggling! He made a nice living, over the years! I'll be in Washington state the end of September.
Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com
Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com
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