737: Terry Ward - 10,000 Hours

You’ve probably heard of the 10,000 hour rule, which was popularized by Malcolm Gladwell’s blockbuster book “Outliers.” As Gladwell tells it, the rule goes like this: it takes 10,000 hours of intensive practice to achieve mastery of complex skills and materials. Our guest this week is Terry Ward who has exceeded that minimum by a factor of many. He has performed over 40,000 shows over a period of more than 30 years. He was the resident magician in Disney World for many years where he developed more than one character who delighted the millions of annual visitors.

Terry started out in theme parks and for the most part, never left that type of venue. Certainly he does more than his share of corporate dates, but his “bread and butter” has been theme parks.

Terry talks this week about working in theme parks, finding the job, developing his performing character, and the importance of “being a good guy” and getting along with management to assure longevity at a venue.

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Thank you to everyone who entered the contest but there could only be two winners in this contest. Please watch for another giveaway in a future episode of The Magic Word Podcast.

If you would like to know more about the "10,00 Hours Rule" and help The Magic Word Podcast with your purchase. Brilliant and entertaining, Outliers is a landmark work that will simultaneously delight and illuminate.

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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.

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.

707: Lorenzo Clark - Funny Guy

Lorenzo Clark has been keeping America laughing for decades. From Las Vegas to comedy clubs to cruise ships, Lorenzo has spread joy and happiness wherever he goes. And with life experiences that he has had, this week he shares many of his real life tales from his vast life story. Lorenzo currently performs at Alexis Park in Las Vegas as part of a variety show, The Big Little Variety Show. Be sure to check it out on your next trip to Sin City.

Lorenzo Clark and I have known each other since we worked together at Houston’s Magic Island in the 1980’s when he was known as Larry Clark. In this week’s episode he talks about his name change, his many years on the comedy club and cruise ship circuits plus fun and funny stories from his vast experience and “unusual” friends.