Houston, circa 1968-69-70
Aug 10th, 2007 by grady
I was taking the bus from Charleston, SC to LA because “Buttermilk” had stolen my cues and left me stranded in Chicago. After this lifechanging experience I visited my friend Eldredge Tucker in Charleston for a summer and was headed back to LA, when we had a two hour layover in Houston. I looked in the phone book and found Le Cue, which was close to the bus depot so off I went to kill a little time.
Upstairs at Rusk and Fannon reposed this billiard academy. Upon entering, to my amazement, I espied James ( later to be dubbed” The Sniper”) Christopher. He gave me the “office” so I snuck downstairs and we had coffee. “You can make some money here”, he said, “if you’re patient.” So we formed a partnership , which benefitted both of us mightily. James was a sharp pool player and knew the speeds of everybody in town.
James, Jack Cooney, Jeff Sparks, “San Diego Dave” LeBlanc and I had been in the navy at about the same time in San Diego. That’s how I knew James.
Le Cue boasted a virtual powerhouse of pool talent, what with the likes of Johnny Vivas ( winner of the first Johnston City tournament and a killer gambler), Greg “Big Train” Stevens, (mabe the best 9 Ball player in the world at the time and he could play for a week), Danny Jones, who played everything well, Jack “Jersey Red” Breit, whose knowledge helped me a lot, Marcus and Whoppie ( the best bumper pool players in the world, and probably a dozen or so almost top players, who frequented the place.
It really was “Big Train’s” establishment. I mean, he held court. When he would first get out of bed, he wouldn’t play anybody for two days, then all bets would be off. He’d match up and he had a ton of gamble laced with much heart. If you wanted to beat him, you had to pack your lunch. By the way, he was a renowned fast eater. I spotted him one hot dog in a race to ten for $1,000 and I won handily. People used to buy us dinner just to watch us eat.
I ended up playing Flyboy a lot but later than the period I’m describing. Gabby wasn’t around yet. I did beat him one set of even up, 9 Ball at one of Red’s events, which were ‘83, ‘84, and ‘85. Strangers had a tough time with the equipment in Le Cue. It was so damp that you couldn’t catch any part of a rail and have a ball go into the pocket and of course the rails came off very short.
I met my first wife here and the marriage only lasted a year. After the divorce I was unhappy and restless. So off to the climes of OKC did I go.
Grady,
Thanks so much, great story. I’m from Beaumont, Tx, so I enjoy hearing about your experience in Houston. I went to Le Cue once or twice (late 70’s), also remember Goofey’s Game Room and Grand Central Station and later Cassidy’s. Houston was a hotbed of pool talent when the economy from the oil fields was so good. Another name I forgot Richie Ambrose played there too. I met Strickland (he was living in Baytown then) when he was 17, and watched him runout a set on an old hustler named Joe Bob Humphrey at a little bar called The Spur Lounge in Vinton, La. Thanks again, and thanks for that story on Dallas Joey too !!
Great story Grady! I would like to see you elaborate on that “buttermilk” stole your cues deal!
Kev
Grady,
I recently saw your posts on AZ Billiards in response to Cardone’s “Top ten one pocket players of all time”. Can you tell me about Warren “monk” Costanzo and how he would rate against some of the great money and one pocket players of all time? I know you beat him for $4000 @ $200 a game in the early eighties; I know he won the 1979 Las Vegas Open 9-Ball tourney over Siegel; But is he strong enough to be considered for the one pocket hall of fame or just one of the great underground pool hustlers that flew under the radar? Any road stories or personal insight would be great to hear.
Thanks Grady
-just mike
Grady, I love this story. Big Train Stevens was one of those greats that a lot of folks have forgotten about. I heard that he eventually went off to Kansas where he ended up running a pool hall for awhile. I heard he died over there. Do you know for sure whatever happened to Big Train? I was always fascinated by the stories of how he would play for days, sharp as a tack to begin with, but then play too long and lose his nut at the end. I’ll post up an excerpt from your post at http://untoldstoriesbilliardshistory.blogspot.com/ and then link over to your site.
Thanks again for the story.
mr. Grady, Nice story. I would like to here more about “the great” tucker, his son runs there showroom in n. charleston and has some of the best antique tables around that he lets us play on even in hte middle of the night for action. We love one hole there, how did he compare to others in his prime. Thanks i enjoy your instructional videos.
some of these questions have been up almost a year, when/where can we find a responce? Maybe someone could call Grady and ask him the questions if he is to busy. Any responce would be greatly appreciated even if it is made up. thanks any responce please
Speaking of Jersey Red and Houston pool rooms, I was just driving by the Cue & Cushion off Shepherd Drive near downtown Houston and it appears that it might have fallen victim to the recession. Cue & Cushion was a favorite haunt of Jersey Red during his last years in the Bayou City. It looks like the room is being remodeled into a bar/restaurant. When I stopped by in mid July (2009) the pool tables had been yanked out. I was really sorry to see it go. It was a great room.
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