623: James Holmes - The Cane and Silk Road

During a recent trip to Branson, Missouri, to see a couple of the magic shows in town, I was pleasantly reunited with an old friend, James Holmes. The name is probably not familiar to, well…nearly 95% of listeners here on the podcast. But for a variety of reasons, you should know who this person is and what he has contributed and continues to contribute to our magic community. James has been around for a long time and I probably made his acquaintance in the 1980’s. He is the creator of the “One Handed Cane to Silk” among other things.

This week, James talks about how he came up with the “One Handed Cane to Silk” effect and how he developed and marketed it. He talks about his close association with the late Fantasio as well as the late team of “Tom and Sherrie”. Unfortunately, piracy is a common thing in our community where unscrupulous “manufacturers” and dealers make and sell ripoffs of others’ creations. James talks a little about this and how it affected both him and Fantasio.

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388: David Garrard - The Ace of All Trades

During his travels across the country on a lecture tour, David Garrard stopped by the microphone of The Magic Word to talk about his life in magic and his diverse background that has kept his life fulfilled. Moving to Louisville, Kentucky, in 1975, David became fast friends with local magicians including Lance Burton and Mac King. During his 50+ years of magic, David has found success in performing in churches, trade shows, children's parties, stage shows, television, close-up and more. His book, "Out Of My Hat" contains material from his lecture which is one of the best set of "lecture notes" I have seen lots of great material that I guarantee will play well for youth and/or adults.

Time Stamps for the podcast:

00:06:07 - In this podcast, David talks about marketing, handing out his business cards, booking trade shows, working in state/county fairs, the importance of hiring others to help make you successful, performing for children, his experience of performing on "Penn & Teller Fool Us", his relationship with Mac King and Lance Burton, the relationship between David Ginn and Doug Henning, views on keeping your act "clean", and his view on embedding messages in gospel magic.

01:05:37 - Product Review: "Bare" by the Other Brothers - allows you to stamp a spectator for the "Ashes on Hand" effect. Clean, easy, non-sticky nor toxic. Highly recommended.

01:11:27 - Product Review: "Telekinetic" by Diamond Jim Tyler - Diamond Jim teaches you how to animate a card box, matchbox, matchbook, business cards, and cigarette case. Comes complete with DVD and gimmick. Recommended.

01:15:00 - Product Review: "Double Take" by Jason Knowles is a selected card instantly changes to a bank note or bill. Recommended.

The contest has ended. Stay tuned to see who won! Congratulations

331: Mike Pisciotta - Magic Castle Mixologist and Mystifier

Mike Pisciotta defeated all odds and stiff competition to win the "Close-Up Magician of the Year" from the Academy of Magical Arts (The Magic Castle). He regularly performs in the Hat and Hare Pub in the "dungeon" of the Castle where he mixes drinks and magic in equal measure. But from time to time, he also performs new material in the Close-Up Gallery.

I recognize that Mike may not be as well-known to the international magic community as he rarely travels or performs outside of Los Angeles, except for his recent Texas lecture tour. But this is one of magic's "jewels" who you need to meet and know.

Esquire Channel's Best Bars in America Episode on LA Speakeasies Featuring The Magic Castle with a special erformance by Mike Pisciotta.

Time Stamps for this podcast:

00:02:11 - Mike Pisciotta talks about his surprise as being nominated for the AMA award and his further surprise win, his move from Colorado to Los Angeles and how he took over as the bar magician at the Castle, his inspirations to do bar magic, working with drunks at the bar, developing his act, his creative process, tips on getting TIPS, and more.

00:51:40 -Christopher Talbat's "Bowled Over" is a bowling ball production from a gift bag. A wonderful effect for birthday parties, parlor or stage. Recommended.

00:55:35 - Chris Philpott's "The End of My Rope Trick" is a great cut-and-restored rope trick that can be done impromptu or with gimmicks. This DVD teaches you how to do it both ways plus use other items like wire, string, crepe paper streamer, and even a string of pearls. Recommended.

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