Billiards legend, Logansport native Paul Gerni to perform trick shot show April 30
Apr. 26—Logansport native Paul Gerni was an afternoon staple on ESPN for years, entertaining viewers with incredible trick shots as he racked up 22 world pocket billiard trick shot championships.
Gerni moved back to the Logansport area several years ago excited to perform shows for his hometown, but the COVID-19 pandemic wiped out any public performances for nearly two years and then he needed time to recover from quadruple bypass surgery and a leg injury.
All healed up and ready to perform, Logansport residents have the opportunity to see Gerni on Sunday, April 30 when the billiards legend hosts his first public trick shot show in his hometown in years at 1 p.m. at Shooters Bar and Grill, 1034 17th St.
Only 100 tickets will be available due to the fire code. Doors open at noon for a silent auction. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door, and can be purchased in advance at Shooters, The Dutch Mill, the Bungalow, St. James Lutheran Church or through the Cass Pool Association. All proceeds will be donated to charity.
Gerni's one-hour show will include trick shots and friendly banter, and there will be an opportunity for autographs after the show.
Gerni, who is a 1966 Logansport High School graduate, told the Pharos-Tribune in 2020 that on a typical week during his career, he would do shows at colleges during the weekdays. Then during the weekends, he would perform at shopping malls, doing five shows per weekend — one on Friday, three on Saturday and one on Sunday before moving on to the next town.
He would also do shows in front of military personnel or for benefit events, which he would charge minimal fees.
His career brought him across the globe, performing in 53 countries.
Gerni grew up in Logansport where his father, Alfred C. Gerni, was the pastor at St. James Lutheran Church on Ninth Street. Alfred died at the age of 69. Gerni's mother, Lee Gerni, lived another 25 years and became a watercolor artist after her husband passed.
Gerni said he was introduced to the game of pool when he was just a toddler at his father's welcoming to St. James as there was a billiards table at the church's old parish building near Sixth and Market streets. He said church members like Walter Ream and Paul Easterday introduced him to the sport.
Videos of Gerni's trick shot artistry are available on YouTube. He said the most amazing trick shot of his career might have been when he made 21 balls in one shot during an exhibition in Sweden.
Another one of his remarkable shots was when he would be able to make his cue ball hit nine rails and then stop on a dollar bill. He performed that shot around the world in Denmark, Japan and Sweden.
He said one time on a trip to Vejle, Denmark, he performed the feat. The dollar bill was then switched to a stamp, which he then hit his cue ball nine rails and had it land on the stamp.
"The place stood up and cheered, it may have only been three minutes but it felt like five minutes," he said.
Gerni is also a Jazz singer and puts on Frank Sinatra style shows.
Gerni is expected to perform a second trick shot show in the fall to celebrate the 175th anniversary of St. James.
