Early Life & Magic

Born in Glendale, California, Jerry grew up in La Crescenta. At age 13, Mormon missionaries staying in the family guesthouse showed him a card trick. When he asked how it was done, they answered, "You figure it out." He did - and came up with a more creative way to do it.

This sparked his love for magic. By 15, he was working as house magician at a local L.A. restaurant, making $100 a night. He became a regular Sunday matinee performer at Hollywood's famous Magic Castle, alongside contemporaries like Lance Burton. At 17, he won the Pacific Coast Association for Magicians for best close-up magic in the over 21 category.

Pool & First Cue

In 1982, when Jerry was 17, fellow magician and pool player Dean Dill introduced him to pool for money. Jerry quickly learned the basics and began seeing local greats like Ismael "Morro" Paez and Keith McCready play in L.A.

His senior year in high school, Jerry made his first pool cue in wood shop - the very first McWorter Cue was born. "Like all first cues," he admits, "it was less than wonderful."

Birth of McWorter Custom Cues

After returning from a Mormon mission (1983-1985) and facing California's construction industry downturn, Jerry saw the need for simple, affordable player-style cues. When friend John Robinson declined to make his design, saying "there's too much work for too little money," Jerry decided to make it himself.

Working 70-80 hours a week, out of money with rent late, Jerry sold his first cue for $200 in late 1988. McWorter Custom Cues was officially in business.

Evolution & Recognition

"I made a lot of ugly cues in the early days," Jerry admits, "but they played good! One of my smarter business moves was not putting my name on those early ones."

After discovering Robinson was right about simple cues, Jerry added embellishments and six-point designs. He insisted on doing all his own work rather than using catalog parts, determined to learn every technique for the long haul.

The Gallery of American Cue Art

In 1995 Jerry dreamed up the idea of having a "stand alone cue show" featuring the world's best cue makers at a black tie elegant affair. Jerry then enlisted help from one of his best friends and fellow cue maker Thomas Wayne and LA fashion photographer Chuck Montique. The Showcase of American Cue Art came to life at The Biltmore Hotel in Los Angeles California on Dec 8th 1995 (the following year the name was changed to The Gallery of American Cue Art).