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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
  • Post a comment
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725: David Ginn - King of the Kid Shows

With over 100 books on kid show magic, David Ginn stands as the King of the Kid Shows, in my opinion. He has single-handedly influenced more magicians over the decades by providing commercial, scripted routines for the children’s show entertainer than anyone can count. And when you add his DVD’s, lectures, and magazine columns, he is a rock star in our community. His routines and tricks were instrumental in the core of many of my children’s shows from birthday parties, to family shows, Scout banquets, libraries and schools and many of his routines and ideas applied to and influenced some routines in my adult shows. I would go further to say that any magician with a magic library and who has ever performed for kids probably has one or more of David’s books in their libraries.

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This week David Ginn talks about some of his experiences over the years plus his relationships with J.B. Bobo and with Doug Henning. He also encourages everyone who is interested in learning free magic routines and watching him in action on video, to surf over to his website at https://ginnmagicshop.com where you can view and learn and get lots of tips for FREE.

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 David Ginn, kid show, JB Bobo, Doug Henning, John Booth, Bev Bergeron, Mark Wilson.

November 17, 2022 by Scott Wells.
  • November 17, 2022
  • Scott Wells
  • David Ginn
  • kid show
  • JB Bobo
  • Doug Henning
  • John Booth
  • Bev Bergeron
  • Mark Wilson
  • Post a comment
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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
  • 1 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

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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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Tales From The Road 3 One of the popular features each year at Magic At The Beach in Myrtle Beach, is when the talent tells us some of their horror stories from the road. #talesfromtheroad #danadaniels #johnnythompson #bizzaro #codyfisher #charlesbac
Craig Diamond - Around the World in 50 Years - Craig Diamond is a name that may not be familiar to you...yet. That's because has been performing magic on cruise ships since the 1970's. But he is slowing down his cruise ship shows and starting to perf
John Cox - Houdini Master Since 2010, John Cox has found enough material about the legendary magician, Harry Houdini, to fill a daily blog. This week we chat about some of the more important things that John has uncovered over the past year. #houdini
Susan Gerbic - Busting Grief Vampires - Susan Gerbic is a skeptic who debunks those who are self-proclaimed psychics and "feed" on the grief of others like vampires feed on blood. She is a scientific skepticism activist, a columnist for Ske
Enjoy an audible tour through the newest venue for magicians to perform. Also, Marc’s incredible magic props, ephemera costumes, and more from a lifetime of collecting are on display here. This “walk through” is a feast for the ears
Jim Cunningham - The Spirit of Eugene - Jim Cunningham is the voice on the Audible books reading the Eli Marks Mystery series. But is also interested in things that go bump in the night. So naturally, his mentor for producing scary seances was the la
Tony Hassini - Merlin Maker - Creator of the Marvelous Magical Burger King, Tony Hassini is better known as the creator of the International Magicians Society (IMS) and the Merlin Award. #tonyhassini #merlinaward #ims #magicawards #merlin #burgerking
Tales From The Road 3 One of the popular features each year at Magic At The Beach in Myrtle Beach, is when the talent tells us some of their horror stories from the road. #talesfromtheroad #danadaniels #johnnythompson #bizzaro #codyfisher #charlesbac Craig Diamond - Around the World in 50 Years - Craig Diamond is a name that may not be familiar to you...yet. That's because has been performing magic on cruise ships since the 1970's. But he is slowing down his cruise ship shows and starting to perf
John Cox - Houdini Master Since 2010, John Cox has found enough material about the legendary magician, Harry Houdini, to fill a daily blog. This week we chat about some of the more important things that John has uncovered over the past year. #houdini Susan Gerbic - Busting Grief Vampires - Susan Gerbic is a skeptic who debunks those who are self-proclaimed psychics and "feed" on the grief of others like vampires feed on blood. She is a scientific skepticism activist, a columnist for Ske Enjoy an audible tour through the newest venue for magicians to perform. Also, Marc’s incredible magic props, ephemera costumes, and more from a lifetime of collecting are on display here. This “walk through” is a feast for the ears Jim Cunningham - The Spirit of Eugene - Jim Cunningham is the voice on the Audible books reading the Eli Marks Mystery series. But is also interested in things that go bump in the night. So naturally, his mentor for producing scary seances was the la Tony Hassini - Merlin Maker - Creator of the Marvelous Magical Burger King, Tony Hassini is better known as the creator of the International Magicians Society (IMS) and the Merlin Award. #tonyhassini #merlinaward #ims #magicawards #merlin #burgerking

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