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The Magic Word The Magic Word

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355: Bill Smith - The Man Behind the Illusions

Former Long Beach Mystic, Bill Smith, has been a long time resident on Las Vegas and doesn't consider himself as a creator so much as he is a builder. He has seen a lot of magicians come and go. For ten years, he was a stage hand for Harry Blackstone, Jr. and traveled across the U.S. including his Broadway show. He also has some strong beliefs on building from original plans rather than building rip-offs.

As part of the Las Vegas Chronicles, one of the visits was to the illusion fabrication warehouse of Bill Smith's Magic Ventures where his crew was busy building props for upcoming shows. For more info on Magic Ventures, visit his website at: http://www.magicventures.com/

To hear our chat with Bill Smith, visit: https://www.themagicwordpodcast.com/scottwellsmagic/bill-smith

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Bill Smith talks about his migration to "Sin City" as magic began to flourish. He talks about magic he has been involved with from Caesar's Magic Kingdom to the current big shows on the Strip. He also talks about working with Stan Allen in the magic shop in Los Angeles and his early attempts at building. Bill started out as a performer and gradually moved into building. He also chats about how he met Harry Blackstone, Jr. and how he starting working for him including a lot of behind-the-scene stories with Harry. Some of Bill's best memories are from his attendance at Abbott's Get Together.

We then have a good discussion about rip-offs of illusions, ethics, rights, YouTube, China, lack of creativity, and more. He now laments the lack of new, original illusions coming on the market today.

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

Tagged with Bill Smith, Les Arnold and Dazzle, Las Vegas, Caesar's Magic Kingdom, Harry Blackstone Jr., Long Beach Mystics, Karrell Fox, Abbott's Get Together, Del Ray, Jim Steinmeyer, John Gaughan, David Copperfield, Walter "Zaney" Blaney.

May 4, 2017 by Scott Wells.
  • May 4, 2017
  • Scott Wells
  • Bill Smith
  • Les Arnold and Dazzle
  • Las Vegas
  • Caesar's Magic Kingdom
  • Harry Blackstone Jr.
  • Long Beach Mystics
  • Karrell Fox
  • Abbott's Get Together
  • Del Ray
  • Jim Steinmeyer
  • John Gaughan
  • David Copperfield
  • Walter "Zaney" Blaney
  • Post a comment
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322: Kirby VanBurch - From Vegas to Branson

Kirby VanBurch is returning to his roots...Houston, Texas. He was born there when he fell in love with magic at age seven. His interest grew so he moved to Las Vegas where, according to Wikipedia, he was the youngest illusionist to have his own show. From there he moved to Reno then back to Las Vegas where he ran for the U.S. Senate. Then he moved to Branson, Missouri where he stayed for the next 20 years performing in nine separate theaters.

2010 Promo video for show in Branson, Missouri.

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Time Stamps for the podcast:

00:04:07 - In this podcast, Kirby talks about his early roots in magic starting in Houston then moving to Las Vegas while in his late teens. It is interesting to hear about his failed attempt to run for political office (U.S. Senate) in Nevada. But perhaps most interestingly, he speaks candidly about an argument with Siegfried and other "behind the scenes" stories with his show in Branson including many "differences of opinion" and lawsuits that swirled around him.

0055:02: - PRODUCT REVIEW: this week we had a little time left to offer a Murphy's Magic Supplies product review. We take a look at the recent At The Table lecture by Kyle Littleton who has a host of commercial ideas for the worker that he has never shared anywhere else.

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

Click on the banner above to visit The Magic Word's "Virtual Magic Store" for more information on this week's video offering and to download your copy.

Click on the banner above to visit The Magic Word's "Virtual Magic Store" for more information on this week's video offering and to download your copy.

Tagged with Las Vegas, Branson, Kirby VanBurch, Bill Smith, Lance Burton, Harry Blackstone Jr., Kerry Pollock, Melinda, Mike Michaels, Siegfried and Roy, Walter "Zaney" Blaney.

September 15, 2016 by Scott Wells.
  • September 15, 2016
  • Scott Wells
  • Las Vegas
  • Branson
  • Kirby VanBurch
  • Bill Smith
  • Lance Burton
  • Harry Blackstone Jr.
  • Kerry Pollock
  • Melinda
  • Mike Michaels
  • Siegfried and Roy
  • Walter "Zaney" Blaney
  • 1 Comment
1 Comment

251: Day One - T.A.O.M. Convention 2015

The first Day of TAOM 2015 was only a few hours long, but what a few hours it was! If you are anywhere near Austin, then you should get here immediately! This has been a great day to kick off another great convention. Thirteen dealers from around the world (from Germany to Oregon and Japan to Ft. Worth, Texas) we have it all. The afternoon kicked off with a nice dealer's show followed by an outstanding lecture by Jay Scott Berry.

the evening Masters of magic evening show was hosted by Robert Baxt and featured Ken Scott, John Carney, Paprika, Bob Fitch, Mark Merchant and Peter Samelson. After the show, Peter Samelson gave a lecture followed by another lecture from Randi Rain. Then Brian Brushwood presented "Scam School Live" with some guests from previous episodes making guest appearances like David Rangel and Diamond Jim Tyler.

View fullsize Trixie Bond, President of the TAOM 2015
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Time stamps for this podcast:

00:00:11 - Scott and Don Wiberg (Past International President of the IBM) talk in the car about the upcoming convention. This is Don Wiberg's first TAOM convention.

00:06:11 - President, Trixie Bond talks a bit about her expectations for the convention and some of the surprises in store for registrants.

00:09:47 - Oscar Munoz and Ken Scott talk about school shows and library shows and how they differ.

00:18:52 - Fumio Inagaki, seven time winner of TAOM's Comdy Award, talks about his invention of the bar code (UPC) gag.

00:29:40: - Walter "Zaney" Blaney has had a long road to completing his dream of building the perfect vanishing bird cage. Here you can hear his woes that will hopefully end with good news soon.

00:50:44 - Ventriloquist Mark Merchant talks about being topical in his scripting that makes him asuccess on cruise ships

010:58:55 - Mandy Nicot tells us about the surprise wedding she and Roger had at the FFFF convention earlier this year.

01:01:21: Brian Brushwood is the podcaster for Scam School and host of Life Hackers on the discovery Channel. He is also more than just a close friend. Brian is like one of my own children. Find out why in this chat..

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.

A Daily News Blog for Magicians capturing the magic news from around the world and putting it at your fingertips.

A Daily News Blog for Magicians capturing the magic news from around the world and putting it at your fingertips.

Posted in Convention Report and tagged with T.A.O.M., Texas Association of Magicians, Austin Texas, Brian Brushwood, Oscar Munoz, Ken Stott, Mandy Nicot, Walter "Zaney" Blaney, Nick Lewin, Mark Merchant, Trixie Bond, Fumio Inagaki.

September 4, 2015 by Scott Wells.
  • September 4, 2015
  • Scott Wells
  • T.A.O.M.
  • Texas Association of Magicians
  • Austin Texas
  • Brian Brushwood
  • Oscar Munoz
  • Ken Stott
  • Mandy Nicot
  • Walter "Zaney" Blaney
  • Nick Lewin
  • Mark Merchant
  • Trixie Bond
  • Fumio Inagaki
  • Convention Report
  • 1 Comment
1 Comment
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The Magic Word The Magic Word

A Podcast for Magicians, About Magicians, Hosted by a Full Time Professional Magician, Scott Wells

This podcast is totally free for everyone to enjoy. This is provided to you out of love and respect for our art of magic. If you enjoy the podcasts and other material on The Magic Word, then your financial support will be greatly appreciated and help offset the monthly hosting service fee as well as the hardware and software to produce this podcast. Just click on the "Donate " button at the top of this page to make a one time donation through PayPal.

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Thanks to all of you listeners, The Magic Word Podcast and our newsletter (or “podletter” as I call it) has been recognized by FISM and received nominations in two categories. Please click on one of the graphics above and cast your vote to help push us on to victory in Turin, Italy, this summer! Thank you!

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This week's episode is in conjunction with the 50th anniversary of the Magic Castle Juniors group and her feature article in VANISH Magazine and precedes Diana's induction to the Los Angeles Tribune Global Magicians Hall of Fame.
 #losangelestribune
Connie Boyd was a successful stage magician in Las Vegas and now is an author and producer. But she is a strong advocate for Women in Magic. She is our guest this week on The Magic Word Podcast  https://share.google/dHcDjJ177mCTlBmnT
#magicalwomen #m
This week on The Magic Word Podcast, "The Good Liar" Brian Curry from the Washington, D.C. area. #comedy #washingtondc #magicduel
Joe Monti was one of the creative minds and producers behind the early seasons of “Mind Freak with Criss Angel” and he has also fooled Penn & Teller. Listen to this week’s podcast episode at: https://themagicwordpodcast.com/909-
This week on The Magic Word Podcast, a chat with Christian & Katalina who have been performing their Mind Tripping Show in Indianapolis for 16 years.  https://www.themagicwordpodcast.com/scottwellsmagic/908-christian-and-katalina
#indianapolis #m
This week we feature an episode about two magicians 🎩 🎩 who share ideas on how to find your own theatre to perform in, plus learn how to work with a magic partner on stage. Visit the website for more information:  https://www.themagicwordpodcast.co
What a great, action-packed, adrenaline-laced, fast-paced movie. I recommend watching part one (Dead Reckoning) to catch up from where we left off two years ago. Best to see this on the big screen. Recommended!
Eric Leclerc joins us from Canada this week to talk about comedy and his experience being the compere (emcee) at the Blackpool convention 2025. #ericleclerc #canadianmagician #comedymagic #mikehammer https://www.themagicwordpodcast.com/scottwellsmagi
This week's episode is in conjunction with the 50th anniversary of the Magic Castle Juniors group and her feature article in VANISH Magazine and precedes Diana's induction to the Los Angeles Tribune Global Magicians Hall of Fame.
 #losangelestribune
Connie Boyd was a successful stage magician in Las Vegas and now is an author and producer. But she is a strong advocate for Women in Magic. She is our guest this week on The Magic Word Podcast  https://share.google/dHcDjJ177mCTlBmnT
#magicalwomen #m This week on The Magic Word Podcast, "The Good Liar" Brian Curry from the Washington, D.C. area. #comedy #washingtondc #magicduel Joe Monti was one of the creative minds and producers behind the early seasons of “Mind Freak with Criss Angel” and he has also fooled Penn & Teller. Listen to this week’s podcast episode at: https://themagicwordpodcast.com/909- This week on The Magic Word Podcast, a chat with Christian & Katalina who have been performing their Mind Tripping Show in Indianapolis for 16 years.  https://www.themagicwordpodcast.com/scottwellsmagic/908-christian-and-katalina
#indianapolis #m This week we feature an episode about two magicians 🎩 🎩 who share ideas on how to find your own theatre to perform in, plus learn how to work with a magic partner on stage. Visit the website for more information:  https://www.themagicwordpodcast.co What a great, action-packed, adrenaline-laced, fast-paced movie. I recommend watching part one (Dead Reckoning) to catch up from where we left off two years ago. Best to see this on the big screen. Recommended! Eric Leclerc joins us from Canada this week to talk about comedy and his experience being the compere (emcee) at the Blackpool convention 2025. #ericleclerc #canadianmagician #comedymagic #mikehammer https://www.themagicwordpodcast.com/scottwellsmagi

The Magic Word Has been recognized by FeedSpot as the # 1 magician podcast in the world. Thank you all for your support and for listening throughout the years.

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