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The Magic Word The Magic Word

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738: Ray Lum - MARVELous Craftsman

Magicians cannot perform without props. The equipment one uses on stage says a lot about the performer. And the quality and craftsmanship of a good fabricator can make any magician look like a million dollars on stage. Ray Lum is one of those fabricators who resides in Las Vegas and works with all of the greats and the soon-to-be greats. Inspired and mentored by the late Tommy Wonder, Ray Lum carries the tradition of fine quality magic props.

If you are more of a visual person, then you will enjoy this video of our conversation recorded via Zoom.

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This week Ray Lum talks about his invention of the Gumball Machine (which he calls the “Lumball Machine”) and the controversy surrounding the dual creators coming out separately but not knowing about the other’s invention. He also talks about his friend and mentor, Tommy Wonder, and how they met and how Ray carries on the tradition of quality craftsmanship using new technology and materials.

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

Click on the graphic above to visit the convention website and learn more about who, what and where.

Tagged with Ray Lum, magic builder, Tommy Wonder, Walter "Zaney" Blaney, Owens Magic Supreme, Bill Smith, gumball machine, Paul Gertner, Joe Givan.

February 9, 2023 by Scott Wells.
  • February 9, 2023
  • Scott Wells
  • Ray Lum
  • magic builder
  • Tommy Wonder
  • Walter "Zaney" Blaney
  • Owens Magic Supreme
  • Bill Smith
  • gumball machine
  • Paul Gertner
  • Joe Givan
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564: Michael Close - UP* (Unique Powers)

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Michael Close has been around long enough to have seen, learned, and taught some great magic. He is best known for his close-up magic (i.e. see his incredible works “The Workers” series), but he is also an accomplished (and professional) musician. When not performing, teaching, or consulting on magic, he is performing music. He was one of the earlier performers at Illusions magic restaurant in Indiana then he was the Trick Editor for MAGIC Magazine for a decade, followed by being the editor of the M.U.M. magazine for the S.A.M. He is currently the magic consultant on “Penn & Teller Fool Us” television show.

Magician Michael Close has a trick up his sleeve! Through some neat sleight-of-hand, Michael shows how people can start blindly following others without even realizing it's happening. If you're ready to leave the pack and live your own life, visit OpenlySecular.org today to find out how.

Perhaps the greatest card trick ever performed on television (around 1997).
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Michael talks this week about a variety of subjects from over the years and shares some fun stories and a behind the scenes peek of the “Penn & Teller Fool Us” production. If you are interested in purchasing a copy of his book “That Reminds Me, Finding the Funny in a Serious World” or other products, then please Click Here to visit his Products Page.

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

Tagged with Michael Close, illusions, Johnny Thompson, Penn & Teller Fool Us, Las Vegas, Houdini Lounge, close-up magic, Harry Riser, Paul Gertner.

June 18, 2020 by Scott Wells.
  • June 18, 2020
  • Scott Wells
  • Michael Close
  • illusions
  • Johnny Thompson
  • Penn & Teller Fool Us
  • Las Vegas
  • Houdini Lounge
  • close-up magic
  • Harry Riser
  • Paul Gertner
  • Post a comment
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561: Chris Pilsworth - A Canadian Conjurer with a Cactus

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Chris Pilsworth is not a name that is on the tip of the tongue for most magicians. He quietly performs professionally for corporations across Canada with the occasional outdoor busking, too. But he is noted for his creative ideas and consulting with magicians from Las Vegas to London and even for television in China. His approach to magic is passion and commitment with new ideas popping up all the time. If you don’t already know Chris, then you will make a new friend after hearing this week’s episode.

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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

Tagged with Chris Pilsworth, Ottawa, Canada, F.F.F.F., street magic, corporate entertainment, creativity, invention, Mac King, Rick Wilcox.

May 28, 2020 by Scott Wells.
  • May 28, 2020
  • Scott Wells
  • Chris Pilsworth
  • Ottawa
  • Canada
  • F.F.F.F.
  • street magic
  • corporate entertainment
  • creativity
  • invention
  • Mac King
  • Rick Wilcox
  • Post a comment
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The Magic Word The Magic Word

A Podcast for Magicians, About Magicians, Hosted by a Full Time Professional Magician, Scott Wells

This podcast is totally free for everyone to enjoy. This is provided to you out of love and respect for our art of magic. If you enjoy the podcasts and other material on The Magic Word, then your financial support will be greatly appreciated and help offset the monthly hosting service fee as well as the hardware and software to produce this podcast. Just click on the "Donate " button at the top of this page to make a one time donation through PayPal.

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In May 2024, Scott Wells had the distinguished honor of receiving a “Special Fellowship” from the Academy of Magical Arts (The Magic Castle) for the Magic Word Podcast which promotes “not only personal stories of fascinating individuals, but also fellowship amongst our extended family of artists and entertainers everywhere.”

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Mark Phillips - "Duel" Reality - Mark Phillips is more than just a long-time, successful trade show magician. He also co-hosts one of the most popular two-person comedy shows in Washington, D.C. #washingtondc #magiccomedy #comedy #tradeshow
MAGIC Live! 2025 Daily Reports It's a wrap! - All four days of reports from MAGIC Live! in Las Vegas have been posted on The Magic Word Podcast and available for your listening pleasure. What another great convention! 15 years and counting. #magicliv
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Larry Kahlow - Preserving History - For the past several decades, Larry Kahlow has been the owner and proprietor of Eagle Magic Store in Minneapolis, Minnesota, which is the oldest brick-and-mortar magic shop in the U.S. This week he shares stories o Mark Phillips - "Duel" Reality - Mark Phillips is more than just a long-time, successful trade show magician. He also co-hosts one of the most popular two-person comedy shows in Washington, D.C. #washingtondc #magiccomedy #comedy #tradeshow MAGIC Live! 2025 Daily Reports It's a wrap! - All four days of reports from MAGIC Live! in Las Vegas have been posted on The Magic Word Podcast and available for your listening pleasure. What another great convention! 15 years and counting. #magicliv Abbott's 87th Get Together 2025 Daily Reports - Daily reports from "Camp Colon" featuring chats with registrants, talent, organizers, dealers, and more. It's the next best thing to being there!
Rome may not have been built in a day, but we tried to see as much of it as we could in an afternoon.
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More time near the Tuscan sun. But this time we traveled south to Umbria where we visited #Bevagna #Montefalco and #Spello
More time under the beautiful Tuscan sun with a visit to Montalcino and Montepulciano for wine tasting and exploring. Now staying in a monestary. #italy

The Magic Word Has been recognized by FeedSpot as the # 1 magician podcast in the world. Thank you all for your support and for listening throughout the years.

The Magic Word Podcast was selected by MillionPodcasts as one of the Top 25 Magician Podcasts on the web. In fact, it is currently listed as the Number 2 magician podcast!

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