633: 2021 Austin T.A.O.M. - Prelude Report

Thursday September 2, 2021

11:30 - Unveiling of Houdini Way in Kingsland, Texas, the first and only street in Texas named after the famed magician.

12:30 - champagne reception at home of Trixie Bond and Mark Axford following the street sign unveiling

8:00 - Esther’s Follies featuring Ray Anderson

On Friday morning September 3rd we had a LIVE virtual tour of Houdini artifacts from the University of Texas, Ransom Center, Austin, Texas presented by Dr. Eric Colleary. This very special “kick-off” for the Texas Association Of Magicians (T.A.O.M.) was open to all at NO COST and a unique opportunity to see some of the collection that few ever get to see in their lifetime. The Ransom Center houses an amazing collection of Houdini ephemera including papers, documents, correspondence, and artifacts associated with the magician, escape artist, business man, aviator, author, and actor popularly known as Harry Houdini. Dr. Colleary took us through an assortment of memorabilia with stops along the way as responded to your questions.

Time stamps for this episode:

00:00:17 - Scott Wells explains what’s going on today prior to the official start of the TAOM

00:05:56 - Trixie Bond talks about the ceremony we are about to see

00:08:24 - official unveiling ceremony for the first street in Texas named for Houdini with Mark Axford, Scott Wells, Kent Cummins, Bertil Fredstrom and Trixie Bond

00:29:16 - Bill Winters gives us a preview of his talk about Walter Gibson that he will deliver at the Collectors Meeting tomorrow morning

00:32:31 - Ray Anderson answers some questions after Esther’s Follies

00:39:36 - Michael Ammar joins us in the back seat of a car with road noise and other conversations but he talks about “Discover Magic” and what he has been doing in recent years and currently.

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560: Chris Randall - From Fremont Street to FISM

Chris Randall has done his time performing on the streets, in the casino showrooms, on television, on touring road shows, winning contests and more. Along the way he was coached by Vito Lupo, Joanie spna and others to finely hone his award winning act. All of this experience, practice and performance led up to his ultimate goal…competing at the triennial championships of magic…the Fédération Internationale des Sociétés Magiques (F.I.S.M.).

In this episode, Chris talks about his long road from the streets of Las Vegas to the F.I.S.M. stage in Busan, South Korea in 2018. More importantly, he divulges personal and emotional insight into his preparation and disappointment that led to his nervous breakdown.

Chris is a World Champion magician. One of his specialties is manipulation. Chris wanted a new video that showcased his award winning manipulation act. He has taken classic magic tricks and remixed them to give them an updated feel. This video was edited together to garner new work in cabarets throughout Europe as well as variety shows on the Las Vegas Strip.

This episode opens with a one minute replay of our chat eight years ago when Chris shared his dreams and five year plan of where he wanted to be…and not be. During our ensuing discussion this week, Chris doesn’t hold back the details of a story that has never been released. This episode scoops the printed version of Chris’s story with more details than may later see publication.