Who Doesnt Jay Know

[Ktown D]

Frank Fischer...didnt he have a cue he built with tape on the joint? Called it the Mystery cue...

Last I heard Frank Fisher is still kicking and living in the Johnson City area in Tennessee. Yeah, I remember the "mystery cue". Frank was a good player, used to come to Knoxville quite a bit when we had good weekly tournaments at Knoxville Billiard Club. That little weekly had more champions play in it than I can name. Keith was a regular there for quite a while.

 

[poolandpokerman]

Last I heard Frank Fisher is still kicking and living in the Johnson City area in Tennessee. Yeah, I remember the "mystery cue". Frank was a good player, used to come to Knoxville quite a bit when we had good weekly tournaments at Knoxville Billiard Club. That little weekly had more champions play in it than I can name. Keith was a regular there for quite a while.

I was in Frisco in 1973 while stationed at Hunters Point, I played at a pool hall down town, I think it was upstairs on the 2nd floor, had a lot of asians in there. Anyone know what the name might have been, Tom

 

[Underclocked]

Cochran's and the Palace were both upstairs as I recall. I certainly remember the long stairway going up to Cochran's. In 73, I would expect that both of them were still operating but am not certain of that. Was there a long bar just as you entered the room with a 6x12 snooker table being the first you would see?

 

[alstl]

Ardell "Blackie" Leisur! Don't ask me how I know his first name, somehow I just remember it. It was such an unusual name. And his last name is closer to my spelling I'm pretty sure. I saw him play first at Johnston City and then later on in St. Louis. He had slick black hair, ala Elvis. He was actually one of Louie's early mentors. Probably the best player in St. Louis when Louie was starting out.

He was one of the boys at Johnston City, meaning he wasn't just a tournament player. Blackie would gamble and was well known by all the hustlers. He always managed to cash in the tournaments and no one appeared too anxious to play him. I don't think he was considered one of the top players but right there with the next group. Still better than most shortstops.

I only saw him gamble downtown at the old poolroom that was upstairs. This was way back in the late 60's. He was playing a younger guy who I think was Surfer Rod. I don't remember who won. I was kind of looking for action myself back then. He would be very old today, well into his 80's. I guess he passed on.

I'm guessing you are talking about the old room at Grand and Olive. I believe the turnstiles from that room are at Cue and Cushion in Overland.

I know a guy in St Louis, actually Alton, who knew Blackie well. I'll ask him about Blackie the next time I see him. He told me that one of the most amazing things he has ever seen was one night in Blackie's place when Louie caught a gear and put on a show.

I just found this article about Blackie LeSieur.

Ardell ‘Blackie’ LeSieur
I got to know this last ‘Blackie’ fairly well. We talked many times at his billiard supply business over the years. Later, after he retired, we would run into each other at a tournament about once a year. He didn’t go anywhere without Jewell, his lovely wife of 52 years. They had been retired since 1987 and decided they had had enough of the fast paced big city life and settled down to retirement at their rural Farmington, Missouri residence. Even in the more peaceful surroundings Blackie couldn’t escape what was in his blood, the call of the pool table. He and Jewell joined Vic Jenkerson’s teams out of Cuzzins and played until he couldn’t see very well and finally had to call it quits.

 

[jay helfert]

Cochran's and the Palace were both upstairs as I recall. I certainly remember the long stairway going up to Cochran's. In 73, I would expect that both of them were still operating but am not certain of that. Was there a long bar just as you entered the room with a 6x12 snooker table being the first you would see?

They were both there in the 70's.

 

[jay helfert]

Jay, Here's one for you... Probably in the Guiness Book of Pool World Records for being banned from more pool rooms than any other player. Jack Hines? He spent some time in Fort Smith, AR when I lived there. Never met a nicer guy! NOT!!!

Also, how about Jeff Melton? Curtis Payne? Curtis spent some time in Ft Smith, also. He ran with Buddy for awhile back in the 80's, if I remember right. Last I played with him, he had two packs of Camel Non-filters sitting on the table to get through the match... his enhaler was sitting on top of them.

Bob

Jack Hines of course. He had a very high gear when he was straight or semi straight. Jeff Melton I remember although I didn't know him that well. He might be still around, he's not that old. Curtis I don't remember, unless he's the same Curtis playing around Vegas now.

 

[BobN]

I haven't heard anything about Jack in years. His name came to mind when I saw this thread.

Last I heard, Jeff Melton was living on Lake Tenkiller near Talequah, OK. I saw him for a few minutes about 2 years ago in Tulsa at a Midwest 9 Ball tour event.

Curtis Payne... what a character. He'd shark his Mom to win a match! Still, was a good player, but his health was suffering really badly last I saw him. He was in Tulsa for awhile playing at the Billiard Palace, had a backer and was making a little pocket change, but he just disappeared from the pool scene... either the grim reaper or poker got him. Both have taken a lot of good pool players!

Buddy was living in Tulsa for awhile last year, btw. He was the house pro at MaGoo's. He quit that and I heard he moved back to FL, KY, IL and IN... so, any idea where he REALLY is these days? I miss seeing him when I go to Tulsa. One of the nicest guys you'll ever meet, IMHO.

Bob