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The Magic Word The Magic Word

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936: Tony Hassini - Merlin Maker

Tony Hassini is well into his 80’s and has earned a time to look back at his illustrious career and all that he has done for entertainment. In the 1970’s he developed “The Magic of Burger King” which was a nationwide campaign coupling their advertising with real life characters. But before that, in 1968, Tony formed the International Magicians Society (IMS) which developed into the world’s largest magic organization that today presents the Merlin Award to deserving magicians around the world at special, high class award ceremonies.

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This conversation was recorded using Zoom prior to the annual Merlin Awards banquet that typically takes place in Las Vegas on the night following MAGIC Live! We first talk about Tony’s involvement with creating and developing the Marvelous Magical Burger King ad campaign in the 1970’s. During that time, he met Ray Croc, founder of McDonald’s, who gave him some good advice. But before the campaign was adopted, Tony created the IMS which, according to the Guinness World Book of Records, is the largest magic organization in the world.

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 Pandora and SiriusXM (formerly 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.

The winner for Week #1 was Nicolas Nardi. Congratulations, Nicolas. A Houdini Legacy Deck of cards will be awarded to a different winner each week in October. These beautiful cards were designed by the Past National President and artist, John Midgley. If you are interested in learning more about these cards and the cause, then please visit their website at https://houdinicards.com

Enter for a Chance to Win a Houdini Legacy Deck of Playing Cards Designed by John Midgley.

Designed to help raise funds for the Houdini Memorial Restoration of the Houdini gravesite. Enter with your name and email address. Free shipping within the U.S.

We respect your privacy. Your email address will only be shared with John Midgley.

Thank you for entering this contest. If your name is randomly selected, then you will be sent an email requesting your physical address where you want the cards sent. Please indicate whether you want a red or blue deck.

Join us in New York this Halloween for this seminal event. I plan to be in attendance and will host one of the panel discussions. For more information, please https://newyorkmagicconference.com/

Tagged with Tony Hassini, Merlin Award, Criss Angel, awards.

October 2, 2025 by Scott Wells.
  • October 2, 2025
  • Scott Wells
  • Tony Hassini
  • Merlin Award
  • Criss Angel
  • awards
  • Post a comment
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935: Wayne Alan - The Most Famous Magician You've Never Heard Of

Wayne Alan’s Washington D.C. experience ranges from working at the magic shop that sold magic tricks to President George H. W. Bush to magic performances in front of audiences in homeless shelters, parties at the homes of prominent Washington politicians, and several national TV appearances. He has consulted for David Copperfield and Criss Angel. He was one of the pioneers in the trade show magic field working alongside Eddie Tullock, Mike Rogers, and Dick Ryan, among others. In 1982 he was presented with a Gold Medal at F.I.S.M. in the category of Grand Illusion.

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There is so much to cover in Wayne Alan’s life that we could have talked for much longer. But this conversation gives you a good overview, along with some great stories, about this professional magician who, in his early 70’s, is far from hanging up his top hat and wand.

This is the last week for this contest. If you missed out on entering the contest or you did enter but didn’t win but would like to have a copy, you can order one by sending him an email at wow@stevefriedbergmagic.com

Throughout the month of October, we will run a contest to give away a deck of Houdini Playing Cards designed by Past National President, John Midgley. This deck was designed to help raise money for the Houdini Memorial Restoration Fund intended to help repair the Houdini gravesite. Although this contest is open to all, postage will only be paid for winners residing within the U.S. Foreign postage will apply to winners outside the U.S.

Enter for a Chance to Win a Houdini Legacy Deck of Playing Cards Designed by John Midgley.

Designed to help raise funds for the Houdini Memorial Restoration of the Houdini gravesite. Enter with your name and email address. Free shipping within the U.S.

Your email address will only be shared with John Midgley.

Thank you for entering this contest. If your name is randomly selected, then you will be sent an email requesting your physical address where you want the cards sent. Please indicate whether you want a red or blue deck.

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 Pandora and SiriusXM (formerly 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 Wayne Alan, trade shows, Walter "Zaney" Blaney, FISM, Al's Magic Shop.

September 25, 2025 by Scott Wells.
  • September 25, 2025
  • Scott Wells
  • Wayne Alan
  • trade shows
  • Walter "Zaney" Blaney
  • FISM
  • Al's Magic Shop
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934: Magistrorum 2025 - Report on Days 3 and 4

Saturday September 20, 2025

Dealer room----------------------9:00 am - 10:00 am
Melody the Magnificent-------10:15 am - 10:45 am
Doug Gorman----------------------11:00 am - 11:30 am
Lunch--------------------------------11:30 am - 12:30 pm
Dealer room-----------------------12:30 pm - 1:30 pm
Jeff McBride-----------------------1:30 pm - 2:30 pm
Remy Connor------------------------2:45 pm - 3:30 pm
Dealer room-----------------------3:30 pm - 500 pm
Dinner-------------------------------5:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Crispy Knight----------------------6:00 pm - 6:45 pm
Traveler Award--------------------6:45 pm - 7:00 pm

Ari Rose-----------------------------7:15 pm - 7:45 pm

Rocco Kult-------------------------8:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Jeff McBride Master Class-----9:00 pm - 12:00 am

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Time Stamps for this episode (they will eventually be posted when I have gotten some sleep):

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 Pandora and SiriusXM (formerly 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.

Posted in Convention Report and tagged with Magistrorum, Dallas Texas, Andrew Derutter, Ross Horwitz, Saul Ravencraft, Doug Gorman, Rick Bruce, James Cox, Jordan Jonas, Jeff McBride.

September 21, 2025 by Scott Wells.
  • September 21, 2025
  • Scott Wells
  • Magistrorum
  • Dallas Texas
  • Andrew Derutter
  • Ross Horwitz
  • Saul Ravencraft
  • Doug Gorman
  • Rick Bruce
  • James Cox
  • Jordan Jonas
  • Jeff McBride
  • Convention Report
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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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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
Wayne Alan - The Most Famous Magician You've Never Heard Of: Spanning a career as a FISM winner to a successful trade show magician and now in his 70's owning his own theatre, Wayne Alan has led an interesting life and is someone you should know. #hi
Magistrorum 2025 - Convention Report - The Magistrorum Magic & Mentalism Convention is a gathering of world-class performers, including the legendary Jeff McBride. Attendees will experience bizarre magick, and mind-blowing mentalism from internat
Magic At The Beach 2025 - Convention Report - Daily reports from the Magic At The Beach convention in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, featuring chats with registrants, talent, organizers, dealers, and more. #myrtlebeach #magicatthebeach2025 #matb2025 #
Fielding West - Every Breath He Takes - Over the past few years, magic comedian, Fielding West, has been finding it harder to breathe. After a diagnosis of Emphysema, his life and his act changed. #copd #emphysema #magiccomedy #fieldingwest #lasvegas
T.A.O.M. 2025 Convention Report - No episode today, but watch and listen late Saturday night for a combined report of a day and a half of events from the Texas Association of Magicians convention in Dallas, Texas, featuring chats with registrants, ta
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
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 Wayne Alan - The Most Famous Magician You've Never Heard Of: Spanning a career as a FISM winner to a successful trade show magician and now in his 70's owning his own theatre, Wayne Alan has led an interesting life and is someone you should know. #hi Magistrorum 2025 - Convention Report - The Magistrorum Magic & Mentalism Convention is a gathering of world-class performers, including the legendary Jeff McBride. Attendees will experience bizarre magick, and mind-blowing mentalism from internat Magic At The Beach 2025 - Convention Report - Daily reports from the Magic At The Beach convention in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, featuring chats with registrants, talent, organizers, dealers, and more. #myrtlebeach #magicatthebeach2025 #matb2025 # Fielding West - Every Breath He Takes - Over the past few years, magic comedian, Fielding West, has been finding it harder to breathe. After a diagnosis of Emphysema, his life and his act changed. #copd #emphysema #magiccomedy #fieldingwest #lasvegas T.A.O.M. 2025 Convention Report - No episode today, but watch and listen late Saturday night for a combined report of a day and a half of events from the Texas Association of Magicians convention in Dallas, Texas, featuring chats with registrants, ta 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

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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