Memories of Johnny Thompson - The Great Tomsoni

This is an unedited, explicit recording of a few friends of Johnny Thompson who reminisced about their old friend. To watch the video of the Memorial Service, then tune in to the video at http://www.tomsoni.co

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279: The Cardini Connection with Randy Pitchford

Randy Pitchford is the nephew of Richard Valentine Pitchford, who was better known as Cardini. More than just a familial connection, Randy is also a performer, entrepreneur and successful businessman. Randy is the CEO and President of Gearbox Software located in Frisco, Texas (a northern suburb of Dallas).

Randy purchased much of the Cardini collection from the 2013 Potter & Potter auction and put the bulk of the exhibit in a museum at the Magic Castle. His most recent purchase may have the furthest reaching impact in our community: he is the new owner of Genii Magazine.

Randy is building a home designed to be like Brookledge, the home of Bill and Irene Larsen in Los Angeles. He even plans to present regular shows for the public in his home not unlike the Bookledge Follies.

Magician Cardini performing in 1957

Cardini (Richard Pitchford) performing coins and cards for some lucky people on a cruise. This rare footage was shot by Dr. Morris Young, and hasn't been seen for 50 years. Edited and restored by Magicbymax Steven Max Droge Productions.

Borderlands 2 creator Randy Pitchford (President and Co-founder, Gearbox Studios) gives his keynote speech at the 2013 D.I.C.E. SUMMIT. Titled "Video Games Are Magic". Brought to you by Variety and Machinima. The D.I.C.E.

Randy Pitchford was born in 1971 and Richard "Cardini" Pitchford died in 1973 so Randy has no recollection of his uncle. In this podcast, Randy talks about the acquisition of his Cardini artifacts plus some stories that were passed down to Randy from the family and friends. He also talks about his experience in his early years of performing at the Magic Castle and his personal relationship with the late Irene Larsen.

Also, he briefly talks about his recent acquisition of Genii magazine from Richard Kaufman; however, since the details have not been fleshed out, there are not many details to share. At this point, I understand that no change of any kind is envisioned for the immediate future of the magazine. Randy just wants to preserve this part of magic history and make sure of the longevity, viability and vitality of Genii far into the future so it can "live on forever."

Here is the photo taken by Michael Wilcoxen, the winner of the contest, with the framed Peau -Doux card he received as he has it displayed in his home.

This is the framed fan of Peau Doux manipulations cards (used by Cardini) that was presented by Randy Pitchford to David Copperfield. This is NOT the number of cards nor type of frame that will be sent to the winner of the contest (which is now ende… — This is the framed fan of Peau Doux manipulations cards (used by Cardini) that was presented by Randy Pitchford to David Copperfield. This is NOT the number of cards nor type of frame that will be sent to the winner of the contest (which is now ended). The contest here was for one framed card (probably without the brass plaque) and I'm uncertain of the type of framing that Randy will prepare.

252: Day Two - T.A.O.M. Convention 2015

The first full day of the TAOM was chock full of activities, some of which required you to choose what to see and what to miss. For example, the Bob Fitch lecture was opposite of the close-up competition. The day kicked off with Ken Scott talking about working Library shows while in another room, Mica Calfee taught how to make a home made "Card Fountain". Keeping with the kid show theme started by Ken Scott, Oscar Munoz performed then taught some ideas for a "School Show".

Next up was Bob Fitch who gave us some practical advice on how to improve our acts. After lunch was a special tribute to our veterans complete with live music and a color guard. Five magicians gave abbreviated lectures including Doug Gorman, Oscar Munoz, Scott Wells, John Cornelius and Diamond Jim Tyler all capably compered by David Hira. The professional close-up show followed with Suzanne the Magician, Peter Samelson, John Carney, Jay Scott Berry, and Robert Baxt.

The evening gala was an all "women" show hosted by Ali Shelley and featured Margaret Steele, Amanda Eve, Rachael Dunn, Jesse Pattersson (a hula hoop expert who drew the first sustained ovation that turned into a standing ovation), Tiny Bubbles, and closing the show was Jade.

Late night activities started with Robert Baxt talking about comedy followed by another lecture named "Two Extra-Ordinary Women" lectures by Randi Rain as "Vamp-IRA" and Steve Daly aka "Tiny Bubbles". This lecture competed with the traditional "Roger Klause Midnight Madness" show hosted by Jamie Salinas. This show always featured some of Roger's friends performing their one pet effect. Jamie continues this tradition by hand picking his friends to do just one thing.

Time stamps for this podcast:

00:00:12 - David Hira and Suzanne the Magician talk a bit about their thoughts on the previous days magic activities

00:10:19 - Diamond JIm Tyler tells about his relationship with Brian Brushwood's "Scam School" and how he became the most frequent guest.

00:17:39 - Past President of the T.A.O.M., cover boy for Genii and and former Guest of Honor for the T.A.O.M., Ramon Galindo, talks a bit about his illustrious career as a tailor and parakeet magician and how Siegfried changed his life.

00:25:12 - From Las Vegas, Nevada, Steve Daly, tells us about his Abra-CORN-dabra convention in Iowa and what it's like to work a popular, sold-out show in Las Vegas.

00:33:59 - Multi international award winner and creator, John Cornelius, tells what he's been up to the past sever years and tells us about working with Doug Henning and Roger Klause.

00:45:32 - Ray Anderson has some surprises in store for the attendees tomorrow night at Esther's Follies and he might have tipped a little of it between the lines in our chat.

Memories of Johnny Thompson - The Great Tomsoni

279: The Cardini Connection with Randy Pitchford

252: Day Two - T.A.O.M. Convention 2015

The Magic Word