624: 2021 Abbott's Get Together - Prelude

TUESDAY, AUGUST 3rd 2021 (Pre Get Together Events)
8:00AM THE OPEN COLON "NO FRILLS" GOLF CLASSIC
(with Al The Only - The cost is $10 plus the cost of golf)

2:00PM MAGICIAN'S TOUR OF THE AMERICAN MUSEUM OF MAGIC
(This tour of the museum and archives is geared towards magicians and will include a special
selection of artifacts never-before-on-display. $10 per person. Reservations not necessary.)

Time stamps for this episode:

00:00:16 - Scott Wells takes off from Houston, Texas

00:03:24 - Trixie Bond

00:10:42 - Mark Holstein

00:20:03 - Al the Only talks about the Open Colon golf tournament

00:28:16 - Michael Mode talks about the Amish dinner

00:31:48 - Alex Boyce

00:36:55 - David Seebach talks about the “Night Before” party

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 or through iHeart Radio by Clicking Here..If you have a Spotify account, then you can also hear us through that app, too. You can also listen through your Amazon Alexa and Google Home devices. Remember, you can download it through the iTunes store, too. See the preview page by Clicking Here

409: Walter "Zaney" Blaney - Surprise 90th Birthday Party

This week we have a unique podcast. Join along with The Magic Word as we attend a Surprise Party (or rather Surpri"Z"e Party with the "Z" for "Zaney") held a week after his actual February 11th birthday. This was hosted in the home of one of his three daughters, Shannon, who lives across the street from Walter. Walter's eyesight is not what it used to be and he has to nearly be right up on you before he can recognize you.

We had a few surprises for the guests, too, including the presentation of an I.B.M. Presidential Certificate, a baritone horn performance by one of Walter's relatives, a couple of songs by his grand daughter, a banjo performance, and a Skype call by one of his admirers who couldn't make it...David Copperfield.

Several dozen of Walter's relatives and closest friends surprised him with a party one week after his actual birthday.

David Copperfield pays tribute to Walter "Zaney" Blaney at the dedication of the Walter Blaney Exhibit at the David Copperfield Museum and Library of the Conjuring Arts in Las Vegas. http://www.walterzaneyblaney.com

Time stamps for this podcast:

00:03:45 - Walter is surprised.

00:06:40 - David Hinkin presents Walter with a special Presidential Citation from Bob Patterson, International President of the I.B.M.

00:08:51 - Tim Drake and Daniel Summers talks about putting this together plus the special exhibit Tim created in David Copperfield's museum.

00:12:41 - Walter's daughter, Becky Blaney, invites us into the living room.

00:13:03 - Jeff Lanes talks about the S.A.M. awards that have been conferred on Walter.

00:14:50 - Walter "Zaney" Blaney talks about being surprised and enjoying the celebration

00:19:44 - David Copperfield joins us on Skype to pay homage to Walter.

00:30:28 - Scott Hollingsworth, Entertainment Director of the former Magic Island, talks about when Walter was in his "hey day" and the development of his Ladder Levitation.

00:35:24 - Walter's daughter and professional magician, Becky Blaney, talks about her dad and what it was like growing up with him.

00:40:03 - Mark Holstein chats about Walter being a pioneer in the trade show business with Marshall Brodein.

00:45:35 - Product Review - Project Swiss Army by Brandon David and Chris Turchi. A gimmicked deck of cards and card box does a variety of amazing thing. Recommended.

00:49:30 - Product Review - NeoMix by Jim Krenz. Specially printed cards used for the conclusion of an "Oil and Water" routine. Recommended.

00:53:34 - Starlight by Chris Perrotta. A beam of light from a borrowed mobile phone shines through a selected card and the card's value is seen as a spotlight through the card. Recommended.

Be sure to use the promo code of: themagicwordpodcast when registering and receive a #100 discount through February 28, 2018.

375: Day Two - 2017 MAGIC Live!

A run down and recap of many of the second day's activities. Actually, this was the first full day and for me, it went long into the night with a special honor given to Walter "Zaney" Blaney by David Copperfield at his museum.

Time stamps for this podcast:

00:00:30 - Stan Allen kicks off the convention by explaining the vision

00:08:46 - Trixie Bond weighs in on her viewpoint as a female magician

00:17:31 - Bill Herz talks about the Michael Carbonaro tour plus the new tour he is producing that features several top acts

00:20:40 - Arthur Trace tells about his experience at MAGIC Live and a recap of Richard Hatch's presentation on trying to discover the real author of "Expert At The Card Table".

00:23:50 - Harry Monti has been one of the most consistent performers of working at the Magic Castle, 53 consecutive years

00:32:51 - John McClenahan tells us why he bought Denny & Lee's Magic Shop in Las Vegas.

00:37:07 - Mark Holstein talks about highlights of the convention so far, plus working as the Stage Manager for Abbott's Get Together, then tells us his recollections of John Moehring and Eugen Burger.

00:43:09 - David Copperfield pronounces his love for Walter Blaney and why he respects him.

00:45:24 - Walter Blaney reflects on the night of being honored at Copperfield's museum.