327: Kozmo - Street Legend

What makes someone a legend? Some say being one of the best in your field. Others might say it comes after many years of doing that thing you do so many times. Still others think it is when that one name keeps rising to the top of others listed in one category. Such is my definition of why I think Kozmo has reached that status along with only a handful of street performers.

One of the "cover boys" of MAGIC Magazine, Theodore "Ted" Brainard (aka "Kozmo") has built a reputation as a street magician after decades of experience and over 30,000 shows. He has made a comfortable living from the street having performed around the world and nearly every kink of climate.

But as Kozmo is moving away from frequent street performances, his time and attention has been divided between the street and his video production company, "Kozmo Magic". Not only does he direct, produce and market DVD's by some of the top professionals today (like Doc Eason, Garrett Thomas and others), he also produces the bi-monthly digital magazine, Reel Magic.

327 on The Magic Word Podcast with Kozmo talking about street magic and Reel Magic. This was recorded using Facebook's Live Streaming feature. Be sure to Like our Facebook page and not miss future opportunities to join us LIVE! http://facebook.com/themagicwordpodcast For the audio only, please enjoy the podcast at: http://themagicwordpodcast.com/scottwellsmagic/327-kozmo-street-legend

Kozmo talks on the podcast about his mentor, the late Jim Cellini, working the street, how to get crowds, similarities to trade show magic, and Reel Magic.

Download this podcast in an MP3 file by Clicking Here and then right click to save the file. You can also subscribe to the RSS feed by Clicking Here. You can download or listen to the podcast through Stitcher by Clicking Here or through FeedPress by Clicking Here or through Tunein.com by Clicking Here. Remember, you can download it through the iTunes store, too. See the preview page by Clicking Here

Congratulations to Tim Rappel, winner of this week's contest prize "Cool Cash". Watch for upcoming contests on The Magic Word.

For a FREE 48 hour trial of Reel Magic, send an email to KozmoMagic@me.com and Kozmo will turn it on for you.

John T. Sheets presents a collection of impromptu bill switches that are perfect for any magician. Included is everything you need, except the bills. On this DVD, John teaches: Cool Cash: Two bills, of different denominations, visibly change places between the magician's hand and the spectator's hand.

264: Street Talk from Gazzo

With literally tens of thousands of performances over his lifetime, Gazzo is one of the world's best street performers. Don't just take my word for it. On multiple occasions he has taken top honors at street festivals as the "best" street performer. Gazzo resides in Bath Spa, England, but as a globe-trotter, he is really a citizen of the world.

During a recent nationwide lecture tour across the U.S., Gazzo stopped by Houston and visited my home to record a chat. Gazzo talked about his philosophy of life, working the streets around the world, differences (or lack of differences) in appreciating verbal humor among other cultures and non-English speaking audiences, and much more.

Support The Magic Word. Visit our Amazon Associates page and find something you'll love. Here is one example of something you'll really enjoy: Steve Spill's book about magic and magicians and no tricks: "I Lie For Money".

212: Talking Trash with Steve Trash

MAGIC Magazine cover boy, Steve Trash, has been my guest in a previous podcast here on The Magic Word. In this podcast, Steve is recorded as he pontificates and waxes eloquent about street magic, character development, and more. He has a lot to say and he says a lot during our chat. This is not "trash talking" in the sports analogy vernacular, but this is Steve Trash doing all the talking and I did most of the listening. Hence, Talking (Steve) Trash..

He was performing in Houston along with Robert Livingston and he stopped by my home to chat and have a martini or two. After asking a couple of questions, I just sat back and listened and learned. It was like a magic mini-lecture...well, maybe not so "mini" as he talked for nearly an hour and a half. Or at least that's all I recorded. There was more before I turned on the recording device. I think this may become one of my more favorite podcasts. Let me know what you think.

Please take a seat, relax, and feel as if you are with us, enjoying a martini and the smooth jazz in the background as we talk about the early history of street magic in New York City (well, in the 1970's), the importance of pauses, performing "jazz" magic, reading the crowd, dealing with hecklers, knowing who you are on stage (your performing persona), and much more.

Download this podcast in an MP3 file by Clicking Here and then right click to save the file. You can also subscribe to the RSS feed by Clicking Here. You can download or listen to the podcast through Stitcher by Clicking Here or through FeedPress by Clicking Here. Remember, you can download it through the iTunes store, too. See the preview page by Clicking Here.