SPOTLIGHT: James Blaylock, Owner of J.O.B. Billiards

[JAM]

Though I have never been there, I have heard so many stories about this pool room. It is the home of the annual Music City Open, which usually takes place near the Derby City Classic dates, like the week before or the week after.

Here's a conversation with James Blaylock.

What does it have?

There are 35 pool tables. There is open pool for anyone ages 21 and over and league play four times per week. There are regular eight-ball tournaments starting at 7 p.m. Saturdays and nine-ball tournaments at 7 p.m. Tuesdays. Both are $5 to enter. J.O.B. Billiards opened in 1970 and will celebrate its 40th year next January. The business has been at its present location since May 1988.

Why did pool become the basis for your business?

"I bought the Montague Market (in Madison in 1970) and real soon, after I opened it the first 7-Eleven (market) opened up within a block of my little market. People were getting gas and beer and cigarettes there, so I made a deli out of the old market and put a pool table in, and it was packed. So I knocked a wall out and put in three pool tables, and it outgrew itself.''

What is the biggest challenge your business faces?

"To maintain the exposure it has had."

How has the economy impacted the pool business?

"Under our economic structure now, I still have tremendous crowds. They don't spend as much money as they once did, so our challenge is to get more people in the door. The economy has not hurt my business. It doesn't cost a lot to play pool. It's still full every night. Now people don't spend $27-$33 every night. It's about $13, and you have to get more people in, and we've done good job doing that.''

What is something special about your business?

"Every world champion has played at J.O.B.s. We were host to the Camel Pro Billiard Series in '96, '97, '98, and '99. We hosted the WPBA (Women's Professional Billiard Tour) in '95, '96 and '97. Allison Fisher, the No. 1 player in the world, the Duchess of Doom, won her first match in America at J.O.B.s. And Jeanette Lee, the Black Widow you see on TV, she won her second WPBA match here. … Our amateur leagues, I take at least 135-170 to Las Vegas each year to play in the world championships for the amateurs.''

Source: http://www.tennessean.com/article/20090401/COUNTY010303/904010322/1195 [Retrieved April 1, 2009]

Wow, 40 years old, this pool room is, and it's surviving the economy.

So, while I'm on the topic, isn't this the pool room that Karen Corr is currently the House Pro? And didn't she recently get married? Is Karen's husband somebody who lives in this area?

Ad I've gotta ask the question to those who know Blaylock. Does he always wear this hat? :smile:

 

[cbi1000]

I live in Oregon, but i've been to JOB's twice! The first time was before they moved out all the 9'ers and put in diamond 7'ers. That trip was great, i watched bobbie pickle play banks for $100 a game.

Second time was this past year. I showed up and got to watch the last day or so of the Music City Classic.

My only complaint, SMOKING. I hate smoking, and that place packs in the smokers.

Tables are great, people are great, service is great.

If you ever have a chance to go, do.

cbi

 

[JAM]

Thanks, CBI, for the snippet of info. I agree about the cigarettes, now that I'm a non-smoker. Two years ago, though, I would have enjoyed being able to smoke inside!

So does anybody have any more J.O.B. stories? Man, that pool room is legendary.

 

[Voodoo Daddy]

Thank god for a smokey pool room...<laughin>

J.O.B.'s is the nutz, I love that spot. First time there was in the 80's...man I feel old, LOL!!

 

[Jerry Forsyth]

JOB loves his Stetson hats and always wears one, though his choice in the 90's was a white one. Jim is a very colorful fellow, always a strong supporter of the game and a friend to pool fans and players for all his years. The things I remember most about JOB's are the action table up front near the entrance where there were always big matchups going on during the Camel stops and the Senior Tour events that he hosted.

And the food there was always great. He used to (and probably still does) make a great chili cheeseburger that was too big to finish and the beer was always really cold.

For all his public side, Jim also has a very private side. He and his lady Olivia like to retire to his boat and float out in the solitude of the Tennessee river. He has made the trip more than once through the inland waterway all the way from Nashville down to the Gulf of Mexico.

JOB's is a legendary room that has generated much of the myth about modern pool. I love to hear the old stories about what happened there many years ago. Since I was there when most of those things happened it amuses me how the stories 'alter' as time begins to wear the edges of memories.

The one thing about JOB's that used to drive me nuts was not at JOB's. It was the Madison Inn, a motel across the street where we all used to stay during his events. Grady got rolled there once, and no one I can remember ever had a room where everything worked. Either the TV would flicker on and off or the heat would not work or the toilet would not stop running, it was always something. I understand the place has now been remodeled. I certainly hope so.

 

[poolandpokerman]

I remember the big BOSS HOG motorcycle that was sitting on the floor when I was there, that was a few years ago, don't know if it is still there. That baby was big. Tom

 

[JAM]

Great review, Jerry, as always! You need to write a book. How many times have people told you that? I'll bet a lot! :wink:

I found that J.O.B. has a MySpace page: http://www.myspace.com/jobbilliardsclub

Here's a picture I borrowed from it below of Mr. Blaylock sans the hat.

This pool room looks like it rocks. Interestingly, my boyfriend has this EXACT same shirt that Blaylock is wearing in the picture. :grin-square:

 

[JAM]

Here is a very shaky video of what J.O.B. looks like inside: http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&VideoID=13161947

Here's Blaylock with another one of his hats, with none other than Nick Varner! I'm not sure who the lady is!

Man, why does EVERYTHING always look better in the South. Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful Dixie! Everybody has a smile on their face!