Mike Massey - Part 1 (From Tennessee Hustler to Pool’s Greatest Showman)
In this opening installment of Legends of the Cue, we sit down with one of the most colorful and compelling figures the game of pool has ever known—Mike “Tennessee Tarzan” Massey. Widely celebrated as the greatest trick shot artist of all time, Massey is also a fierce competitor, a winner of major nine-ball titles, and a Hall of Fame member whose story reaches far beyond the table.
Mike Gonzalez, Allison Fisher, and Mark Wilson guide the conversation as Massey begins to recount a remarkable life shaped by hardship, hustle, and resilience. From a turbulent childhood in Loudon, Tennessee—marked by poverty, addiction in the family, and a precocious turn to gambling—to discovering an almost instinctive gift for pool as a teenager, Massey’s early story is raw, unfiltered, and unforgettable.
Listeners will hear how, at just 17, he joined the military and found himself winning tournaments across Europe while painting murals for his battalion. From there, he hit the road, navigating the dangerous, high-stakes world of hustling in bars and backrooms across America. Along the way, he crossed paths with legendary gamblers like Titanic Thompson, faced life-threatening encounters, and endured battles with drugs that nearly consumed him.
This episode doesn’t shy away from the darker chapters of Massey’s journey, but it also sets the stage for the redemption, faith, and triumphs to come. His candid storytelling offers a rare glimpse into the hidden corners of pool’s underworld and the resilience it takes to rise from it.
Join us for Part One of this four-part series as Mike Massey begins to share his extraordinary life story—a tale of survival, transformation, and a love for the game that would ultimately define him.
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Music by Lyrium.
About
"Legends of the Cue" is a pool history podcast featuring interviews with Pool Hall of Fame members, winners of major championships and other people of influence in and around pocket billiards. We also plan to highlight memorable pool brands, events and venues. Focusing on the positive aspects of the sport, we aim to create and provide an engaging and timeless repository of content that listeners can enjoy now and forever. Co-hosted by WPA and BCA Hall of Fame member Allison Fisher, Mosconi Cup player and captain Mark Wilson, our podcast focuses on telling the life stories of pool's greatest, in their voices. Join Allison, Mark and Mike Gonzalez for “Legends of the Cue.”
Massey, Mike
Professional Pool Player
Mike Massey is a “Hall of Fame” pool player that has won 23 major titles and numerous 8-ball and 9-ball tournaments.
He has traveled to at least 40 countries playing tournaments, teaching pool, doing exhibitions and the Gospel trick shot ministry.
Once Mike had 330 breaks and runs playing 9-ball in a 24-hour marathon shoot in Austria on live TV. Another time he made 8,090 balls playing with one arm in 24 hours.
Mike has been on many live TV talk shows all over the world, Euro Sport, CCTV Ching, 700 Club 3 times, Regis and Kelly show. ESPN Cold Pizza, ESPN Best Damn sports show, PM Magazine, Real People 2 times and many more.
He helped write the movie “The Baron and the Kid” staring Johnny Cash. He was also the technical advisor and taught Johnny how to play pool.
Mike is part of a ministry that’s called “Gospel Trick Shots”. They go all over the world preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Mostly Muslin countries and 3rd world countries.
Gospel Trick Shot ministries uses professional pool players that have received Jesus as their Savior to spread the Gospel.
Steve Lillis started this ministry and he was a professional Pool Player, College Professor, and Ordained Minister.
Tom Rossman is also part of the ministry and is also a “Hall of Fame” pool player.
Here are some of the places they have been doing the ministry.
Egypt, Iraq, Morocco, Tanzania, Kenya, Dubai:, Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Kuwait, Russia, Ukraine, Albania, Korea, China, Honduras, Lebanon, Jordan, Palestine, Israel and Kosovo.Read More