As many of you know, last year I was asked to participate in a new idea Executives at Dover Downs felt would be a great idea. Instead of their typical Cooking Show where Drivers took the time to cook up special meals with Chef Fred, they read a Post here on Salisbury News learning that I used to be a Professional Pool Player and thought perhaps they could pull off an event at Dover Downs.I received a telephone call asking me what it would take to do so and if I'd be interested in putting the event together as a Host. They wanted to know what I would charge them to do so and after hearing their excitement about the idea I said, I'll tell you what. If you really want to pull off this event, I'll take the same risks as you and I won't charge you anything THIS YEAR. Should the event be a success you can start paying me next year. We agreed.
I asked Dover Downs to make contact with a couple of current Professional Players as well as lining up the Pool Tables. Three days before the event was supposed to go off I received a phone call from one of the Executives in a panic. The supplier that was supposed to deliver the Pool Tables called to tell them they could not fulfill their agreement and they were NOT going to deliver the Pool Tables for the event. Dover Downs was in serious trouble.
I told them to sit back for an hour or two and I'd see what I could do. I then called my good friend Bruce Hunter, (Bruce's Billiards) from Salisbury and I filled him in on the situation. I told them what Dover Downs was willing to put up money wise to RENT the Pool Tables for a day and it was almost as much as what he could sell the Pool Tables for. The major problem was, how were we going to pull this off in two days. Bruce rearranged his entire schedule, worked with Dover Downs and even agreed to Referee for the event.
Here's where things got interesting. While Bruce and I both never thought we'd see a sell out crowd at this event, we arrived the day of the event with a crowd standing in line like I had never seen before. We met with several other people Dover Downs had brought into the picture as referee's and we held a pre meeting where a new guy, (another executive) started the meeting by telling ALL of us we were going to be referee's. I stood there kind of dumbfounded and said, excuse me but that's NOT what I had been brought in for. He said, "Well Things Change, Do You Have A Problem With That." I turned to him and I said, do you know who put this entire event together? He replied, you did. I then said, do you know how much money you paid me to pull this entire event off? He said, I don't believe we did pay you. I said, that's exactly right. Now I didn't do all this work and travel all this way just to be told like a puppet that I was going to be one of your referee's. I was brought in to commentate and Host this event, not referee. Again, he said, well things change, do you have a problem with that.
I looked at him, walked over to my suit, grabbed my Pool Cue and said, nope, I have no problem with it at all. Good luck with the event. I then walked out of the building, leaving Bruce Hunter behind. I got the Valet People to go get my car where my cigars were and just as they pulled up with the car Bruce came out and said, what are you going to do. I told him I wouldn't leave him high and dry, (as I drove him to the event) but I'd have nothing to do with these a-holes. He said, so you're just going to leave? I said, no, I expect my phone to ring any minute now because there's no way they're going to pull off this event without me, just think of the Post I'll have up on the Blog about it.
Within 2 minutes George, (one of the executives) was calling me on my cell and he said, Joe, we need a referee. Can you help us out during the beginning of the event and then we'll have you commentate the event for the Finals? I said, sure, that works for me. Bruce was smiling and laughing like there's no tomorrow because he knew I wasn't going to take any sh!t from these people.
If you've never seen the final event, here's my Post on it and the VIDEO of the actual event.
All that being said, this weekend Dover Downs pulled off this event once again, this time sponsored by Brunswick and Hosted by Ewa Mataya Lawrence, a very dear and old friend of mine. Did I get a call from Dover Downs asking to be a part of the event? NO. Did Bruce Hunter get a call from them asking for Pool Tables, NOPE! They used us last year and while they said they did not expect much of a crowd the first year, the place was sold out, they offered absolutely nothing.
So for those of you who have any ties whatsoever with Dover Downs, they're users and do NOT come through with commitments or agreements. A lot of time and effort went into pulling this event off and while I support it for the good of the sport, I do not appreciate the fact that Bruce Hunter called this year to see if they could provide us with guest seats for the Billiard Event or even tickets to the races, they refused to offer anything.
Over my many years of being around Pool, this is somewhat common. However, our agreement and understanding was that I would take the same risk because I felt bad that they may not have much of a crowd and I wanted to GIVE BACK to a sport I love so much.
Dover Downs, YOU'VE JUST BEEN BLOGGED!
I'm sure my friend Bruce Hunter will chime in to this Post and confirm or adjust anything and everything that is or isn't 100% accurate, as I would expect him to do. We waited some 5 or 6 months, (if not longer) just to get them to deliver the video they agreed to provide from the beginning. Bruce also had a VERY hard time collecting the money they promissed him for the tables. They came back saying they didn't agree to that much money, (yet Dover Downs made a small fortune on the event) and we had e-mail messages back and forth confirming the money agreed upon. He did finally get paid but it was like pulling teeth and Bruce dropped everything to help them out! It was just another learning curve in life but the true lesson will come when hundreds of thousands of people, (if not millions) Google NASCAR and or Dover Downs and this Post pops up.
It would have been nice to at least be offered guest tickets to the event this weekend but some people forget where they come from and Karma is a bitch. By the way, I hope this years event went well as well as future Billiard Events at Dover Downs. Oh, I'll bet you as million dollars Ewa didn't knock the Nine Ball in on the break as many times in a row as I did.
Here's this years promo video of the event.
That's just wrong. My company has had some problems with Dover Downs as well. I'm sorry to hear they treated you guys like that.
ReplyDeleteI avoid the place as a result of how they treat people. I would say just drive the additional 2 hours and hit atlantic city for real gaming. Leave dover downs to all the nascar fanatics and rednecks!
ReplyDeleteSmall world Joe, my buddy Skip helps Bruce deliver pool tables, or has in the past when he has time. You may have met him he's asst. Fire chief down in Stockton.
ReplyDeleteI hear Bruce does a great job refurbishing antique pool tables.
I bet OC could get a good draw for Billards. I'm sure you know former Mayor Jim Mathias used to and still may own Gentleman Jim's Pool Hall downtown. I bet he would also help promote it.
That's what contracts are for. In my experience, the people that get to be "executives" got there by screwing others.
ReplyDeleteShow me an example where that's not true.
Reminds me of dealings with the Shore Birds. Everybody is happy to accept your help and your ideas to prove a concept, but once the concept is proven then they quickly twist events around to suit their own purposes. It is amazing how much our society has slanted towards "Me! Me! Me!"
ReplyDeleteIt would be awesome if you could get your pool friends to boycott the event next year. Let them sell all of those tickets and raise the expectations of fans just to see them flounder and look like the jerks they are.
Yes' Joe I agree with every thing you said.I have alot moe to say, but my time now is taken up by all my downed tree's in my yard.You have been Blogged Jennine Layhee from Dover Down's.
ReplyDeleteI attended this event last year and you did a great job Joe. I was very impressed and thoroughly enjoyed it. If I were you I'd consider this. They had to bring in Brunswick in order to replace you. I'd take that as a complement.
ReplyDeleteThe Fat Man and John Robinson are trying to have a field day with comments here. Funny part is, there's a link to the video above in which they can clearly see we did an excellent job with the event and everyone walked away happy and excited, especially the Drivers. So John and Fat Man, why don't either one of you tell us of one thing you've accomplished in your lifetime where a group like Dover Downs would call you up and ask you to pull something on this magnitude off? Here we have a fat obese piece of crap who gets health insurance off the taxpayer, collects disability because he's too fat and lazy to get a job, lives in section 8 housing and then files charges against Debbie Campbell who wasn't even at the meeting to vote, that's how stupid he is. Robinson on the other hand is a habitual liar who will probably try to come back and tell us he flew to the Moon on a Russian Space Craft and paid $2,000,000.00 to do so while in the Coast Guard on special assignment.
ReplyDeleteMy point here is, we did something very special for Dover Downs. It was a concept idea that turned into a huge success. WE took the risks and even after it was a huge financial success for them last year, they did not fulfill their end of the agreement.
No hard feelings. I just simply made sure hundreds of thousands of people now know about it. Everyone knows, I don't need the money anyway. The Fat Man and Robinson shouldn't be so upset that they're losers living their lives accomplishing nothing, unless it's lies.
John Robinson told several people last week that Joe Albero was detained by the Police at the Mall because he was stalking his Son.
Time to call you out you piece of sh!t Robinson. First of all, I don't go to the Salisbury Mall or any other mall for that matter. You just keep on telling these lies to people and you're going to find yourself in a lawsuit so deep you'll never know what hit you. Instead, I'll just wait because I know what's about to hit you with the law you piece of sh!t and when I'm in that court room LMAO and you're heading off to Jail, that will be far better than a financial reward for defamation. John also has been telling people the Police follow his children around to protect them because I stalk them. Hey John, do YOU really think you or your Family are that important. You have to be the biggest loser I have ever seen in my entire life, second only to the Fat Man. The unniest part is, people are sending me pictures of everything Robinson is doing because they hate his guts so much because he does nothing but create lies about me, just like the mall crap.
John, tell everyone why the Police came to you and asked for all your bank records over the past several years. Tell everyone how you've been running your business buying and selling gold without a precious metals license and BREAKING THE LAW. Tell everyone where all the money is coming from to open all these new businesses you've been opening. It's not from Pewter sales, is it John? John also got so jealous the last time he was at my home, he saw the BMW Z-3 I bought for my wife, silver with a black top. John went out and bought one for his Wife too. The difference being, I can PROVE where my income came from. How about you Johnnie?
That's pretty bad that John Robinson would run around making a charge that you were detained by police at the mall and its not true. I was talking to Bruce Hunter last week and he told me the same story John had told him. Bruce knew it was a lie. If you know John well enough, he always starts his sentences off with, I'm not going to lie to you....... He's a piece of work.
ReplyDeleteDover Downs were very nice over the phone leading up to the event.once we got every thing set up that's when the air changed.you heard what Joe had to say , and I still think he was a heck of a guy to stay after the way we were informed what there real story was. that being said- I was lead to believe that I would return the following year. I talked to them twice over the winter and they said every thing was a go! At the last minute they changed there mind's No problem!! So I proceeded to make arrangement's to still go to the event but could not get anywhere with Jannene.So I paid in advance for a room, but could not get into the Festival room where we watched the race last year so to make a long story short we did not make it to Dover downs for the event or the race. looking at the crowd on TV no one else went half empty stands serve's them wright Joe and I put allot into the show the least they could have done was show us some Respect. Watch the video,Joe made the nine ball three time's in a row on the break after the show was over. Joe and driver Stanton Barratt were the life of the after party,as I said last year we had a good time.
ReplyDeleteJR can;t leave it alone , his mouth and his lies are his worst enemy.FUJR
ReplyDeleteThanks for the Dover Downs post...I won't go there due to how I was treated several years ago. I was supposed to go this month to the Lions Convention up there...no way. I'll wait, the convention will be here in Salisbury in '11.
ReplyDeleteSounds like the truth will come out in court,jonhhy 5 but in the mean time, make all the lie's you want cause your days are numbered
ReplyDeleteJoe, one other thing that I have been checking into-george is the asst manager of dover downs,Jennene is george's asst We have never been in contact with the Manager or the top brass.maybe now that you brought it to light, We might get some phone calls with an explaination of why it went down like it did.
ReplyDeleteThanks for chiming in Bruce. Like I said in my Post, Dover Downs has no clue just how powerful Salisbury News has become, but they'll quickly learn it in a day or two when they Google anything referencing them or the event. It's a shame our Country has dropped in value because people cannot keep their word. I'd like to add, I never received a phone call about the event this year, even though Bruce kept in contact with them. I stayed completely professional, yet I made damn sure they knew I wasn't going to put up with their crap last year. Janneane started out very pleasant until the day of the event and all of a sudden we were being treated like servants. Regardless of what happened, I'm very pleased to know that Billiards will continue to be a part of NASCAR and even more pleased Ewa was invited. I told them to book her last year but they didn't want to pony up the money. Once they saw how big it would be, they simply forgot where they came from. As always, I sit back and enjoy the fact that I continue to give back to a Sport I have enjoyed since I'm 4 years old. I made my money in manufacturing and while Professionals like Ewa make a living playing Pool every day, it's an honor to know I started this event and that it will continue to bring in money for those who deserve it most. I would have probably chipped in for FREE again this year if they asked but I knew they wouldn't and I kept telling Bruce that immediately after the event last year. I had hoped they'd continue to work with Bruce as I will say one thing, Bruce came through for them as Dover Downs was SCREWED if he hadn't brought in those Pool Tables. NO ONE would have come through at the last minute like Bruce did and my hat will always be tipped to him for coming through without a single string attached.
ReplyDeleteSo sis we lose out on anything, no, not really. Bruce was paid and I got Billiards into something I can guarantee you if I had walked into their doors trying to promote the concept they would have turned me away and never thought twice. Now, every single Driver is just about dying to get into the tournament and I can assure you each Race Track is now considering it for every race across the Country.
Very much like the Salvation Army and Humane Society, I do what I do because I believe it's about giving back and never forgetting where you came from. Others can rag on me about my not returning this year, that's cool. While it seems childish to do so, that's their mentality. In the end, I enjoy and respect Pool and every time I can personally give back it's a win/win for me and the rest of those who continue to travel the World playing in Tournamens and events just like this one.
To the gentleman who just tried to put up a comment full of lies and was rejected, I played on the MPBA Tour, not a league or casual play. You can even ask John Robinson if this is true or not, he's seen the evidence as well as Bruce Hunter.
ReplyDeleteEwa Mataya Lawrence, Mike Sigel, Nick Varner, Dennis Hatch, Buddy Hall, Grady Mathews, my God, I could go on and on for quite some times mentioning many of my good friends from back in the day.
Nevertheless, say all the stupid things you want, I'm NOT here to lie and I have proof to back up everything I say.
Joe , Grady Mathews is coming to saisbury university in august the 28 for a trick shot expo I talked to him on thursday and he told me to give you his best. you don't have to prove yourself to no one the pool world knows who you are!
ReplyDeleteBruce, you HAVE to hook me up on this one. Tell Grady he can stay with me while he's visiting. In fact, give him my number. Thanks, Joe
ReplyDeleteAs for you John Robinson, Iv;e taken you bull crap long enough. next time you got something to say , say it to my face. last week I gave you that chance.you told me that my son was the one that broke into your store I checked out the video that you supplied to the sheriffs office and you made a bold face lie I called mike Lewis and put you on report.now you say I've got ad credit,I checked your credit you should check mine I think you would be surprised. the problem you have is you open your trap before you really know the facts.as for my son,he will be talking to you real soon I have trouble dealing with him good luck Johnny boy.
ReplyDeleteJust got word jr is the real pro pool player what were you thinkin????????
ReplyDeleteNo, John now claims he's a Professional Skateboarder. Honest to god, when and if you see chunky monkey on a skate board you'll crack up to no end, seriously! He really was out there telling other kids he was a Pro. UNBELIEVABLE!
ReplyDeleteLet me assure you, (and there are a LOT of people out here locally who have seen me shoot Pool) once you see me shoot a game of Pool you'll know what a PRO is. Even John Robinson has seen me shoot Pool and knows the truth. Hey John, call me a liar. Remember Break Time, Cigar Club Night?
I have one more thing to say, my reputation stands for itself anyone that knows me knows that can you say the same John boy?
ReplyDeleteIsn't that the truth Bruce. Funny part too is, YOU always sign your name to your comments. Robinson spends many of his waking hours hiding nehind anonymous. Sure, once in a while he uses his name but trust me Folks, I know when Johnnie posts comments on here just like I stated in the Court Room in the Barrie Tilghman case where he was sitting right there. His jaw dropped to the floor when I stated under oath how I knew it was him making anonymous commenmts. It was VERY funny how Barrie's lawyer brought up that particular question, asking how I knew who anonymous comments were, for example John Robinson, and he was sitting in the court room.
ReplyDeleteDon't ever think for a second John isn't one of the people shining Barrie Tilghman's shoes on a daily basis. Two scam artists who deserve eachother.
Anyhow Bruce, any one who knows you knows you're a stand up guy. Like I said, I can't thank you enough for coming through on the Dover Downs thing. I'm very sorry it didn't bring you more but you could see what we were up against and like I said earlier, I knew from that instant there wasn't going to be a next year. I'm just greatful I put George in his place and awe'd everyone else siting there who had always wished and dreamed they could treat him just the way I did that day.
How about that announcer/copmmentater they had there in mt place with all the makeup on his cheeks? Was that funny, or what Bruce!
Yes, Joe the man had so much makeup onthat I thought for sure George was going to sit him on his lap and become a dummy vantriaquist the way george yelled at him. His makeup was just like pinocio missing the nose. you crack me up Albero your memory of events is incredible. I can still remember the look on the drivers faces when you gave them the rules before the match,they were like what did he just say? didn't sound like nascar so they were lost. but all in all I think Carl must have practiced this year, the girls took him out last year, just wish we could have been there for round two!
ReplyDeleteHere's a thought for you Bruce. What do YOU think I would have done to George if he dared speak to me the way he did Pinocio?
ReplyDeleteWell Joe I got to say we would have been drivin off into the sunset that night and they would have been sayin What the hell did you say to Joe Albero?
ReplyDeleteOh I almost forgot FUJR
ReplyDelete