506: Lance Pierce - Standing on Their Shoulders

Over the years, Lance Pierce has befriended some pretty incredible legends in our industry including Roger Klause, John Cornelius and Michael Skinner. In fact, he is the author of “Roger Klause in Concert” and “The Award Winning Magic of John Cornelius” and the webmaster of The Magic Pebble online forum and the host and organizer of Pebblepalooza, an annual close-up convention in Dallas, Texas He recognizes that the work we are doing today is only because of what we building on, which is the work of the early masters in our art.

This week, Lance talks about first meeting and becoming friends with Roger Klause, John Cornelius and Michael Skinner. He also discusses the development of The Magic Pebble and the close-up convention that became an outgrowth of that forum. Lanced has much advice to share that he freely offers in this podcast.

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496: Scott Alexander - Stand-Up Guy

Scott Alexander’s magic reached millions on NBC’s season six of “America’s Got Talent” where he advanced all the way with his large stage illusions. With articles in People Magazine and Nations Business, the Oprah Show took notice and Scott was invited by Oprah Winfrey to make a guest appearance on her show. Scott had the honor of headlining on the Las Vegas Strip at Caesars Palace for over seven years and 4,000 performances of large grand illusions fused with stand-up comedy magic. Scott’s magic has been featured on “Penn & Teller’s Fool Us” on the CW, The SyFy Channel, Discovery Channel and NBC. Scott has appeared in Paris on the world class and prestigious Le Grand Plus Cabaret Du Monde. Whether it be the intimacy of a close-up sleight of hand performance, stand up comedy magic, or the all out spectacle of a large stage show, Scott Alexander’s delivery is always lighthearted, somewhat irreverent, amazing, quick-witted and sure to leave you filled with wonder and laughter.

Scott Alexander talks about the development of MAJOKE, the parody of MAGIC Magazine that he helped produce, MAJOKE is probably the most hilarious, controversial, offensive and down right funny thing to come out in the magic world...ever! Similar to the "Weenie" parody of Genii Magazine a few years back, but nowhere near as reserved. We also talk about immediate gratification with immediate digital downloads like the new Magicflix, and the difference between males and females doing magic, the book he is writing on the life of Denny Haney, how he landed his job at Caesar’s Magical Empire,working with Penguin Magic, how he thinks and creates magic and so much more.

We also talk about his wife’s magic show. You can view Jenny Alexander’s promo video here: https://youtu.be/O-KQnN9uRv4

And here is the link to Denny Haney’s daughter’s movie we discussed: https://youtu.be/U42N6VT2USc

Soctt Alexander’s “Bias Pad” is reviewed this week on the podcast.

Scott Alexander Lecture Notes Winner.jpg

296: Curtis Kam - On The Money

During a recent close-up convention in nearby Dallas, Texas, many top close-up guys attended to session together and share ideas. One of the performers who stayed in Texas for a couple extra days was Curtis Kam who traveled to the mainland from Hawaii. Curtis is widely known as a coin guy, but he is really a G.P or "General Practitioner" in that he can and has done it all.

Curtis Kam performing at Midwest Magic in Franklin Park, Illinois December 2010. It's my favorite coin trick. As Curtis says this is the coin trick every coin (and other) magician should do.

Curtis talks about his philosophy about "kayfabe" which is a term in professional wrestling referring to whether or not it is "real" and how it relates to our conviction of presenting our magic as "real". We also chat about his work as a stage illusionist, some of the other magic acts in Hawaii, and his philosophy on certain illusions. He also discusses the importance of scripting, especially for professionals.

Get ready for the I.B.M. Convention in San Antonio, TX on July 2-5. The Magic Word will be there broadcasting daily updates. If you plan to attend, then download this FREE Guidebook app now to keep everything in the palm of your hand: schedule, maps, performers, dealers and more. Plus you can create your own personalized schedule so you never miss anything you want to be sure to see!