751: Senior Tour 2023 - Panel Discussion

On the first evening of the Senior Tour, we sat down for a very special, impromptu Q&A with some of the performers from the Senior Tour. Joining us on the couch was Trudy Monti (wife if the legendary Harry Monti), Bill Goodwin, Alan Ackerman, Mike Powers, Doug Conn, Jim Molinari and Howard Hamburg.

This is a bonus episode to the Magic Word Podcast and we will resume our daily updates with the next installment.

Like a late night talk show, Scott Wells has some of the talent from this year’s Senior Tour as his guests on the couch in this episode. We feature Trudy Monti (wife of Harry Monti, who was in the audience but not healthy enough to join us on the couch), Doug Conn, Bill Goodwin, Alan Ackerman, Mike Powers, Jim Molinari and Howard Hamburg.

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347: Bob Kohler - The Man Behind The Magic

Bob Kohler was on the forefront of the magic video revolution always looking for creative magicians who were willing to share their innermost secrets. A "late bloomer" in magic (starting into magic at the age of 30), he quickly caught up and became a master in the art of close-up befriending the top guys in the industry. In the early 1980's, he was part of the stable of magicians who worked at the Brook Farm Inn of Magic along with Bob Sheets, Eddie Goldstein,, John Kennedy, Steve Spill, Scotty York, Tim Conover, and other well-known names.

Bob was also on the February 2003 cover of the MAGIC Magazine with a feature article about the California Trade Secret Agreement and how they used the Agreement to keep the Bob Fitch Holdout a trade secret.

You can purchase Aces in Their Faces from the Magic Store here on The Magic Word Podcast or through The Great American Magic Company.

Bob talks about his early projects including some video projects with Daryl and his Ultimate Three Fly, and current projects with Bob Fitch and Scott Alexander. We also talk about ethics in magic, people who rip off creators thus inhibiting them from working on new projects. He also talks about making "short/limited run" effects and his line of Pro Magic.

Click on the banner above to visit Bob Kohler's line of Pro Magic

During the early 1990s Daryl and Bob Kohler took video equipment to several of the exclusive 4F (Fechter’s Finger Flicking Frolic) conventions and convinced many of the top close-up magicians in attendance to perform and teach one of their favorite … — During the early 1990s Daryl and Bob Kohler took video equipment to several of the exclusive 4F (Fechter’s Finger Flicking Frolic) conventions and convinced many of the top close-up magicians in attendance to perform and teach one of their favorite creations. In addition the 4F attendees they also talked some of their friends to do the same. They originally released the magic on three video tapes. All of that footage is included on this extra-long video where you will learn some outstanding impromptu close-up magic. **Available from Meir Yedid Magic.**

Hey, Magic Word Listeners: Save $15 on orders over $100 by entering the Promo Code MW on checkout.

FEBRUARY 28, 2017 from Jerry Ferguson:"I spoke with Alison, Daryl's wife, for a long time on the phone today."She explained that Daryl had been suffering from clinical depression for years. He had been taking medication for his condition for a very … — FEBRUARY 28, 2017 from Jerry Ferguson:
*"I spoke with Alison, Daryl's wife, for a long time on the phone today.*
"She explained that Daryl had been suffering from clinical depression for years. He had been taking medication for his condition for a very long time. She explained that people in show business are often very fragile people. Growing up Daryl had been badly physically abused by his mother. Not sexually, but she would often hit him. His escape was the world of magic, reading books, learning magic, performing and getting love, respect and appreciation from an audience that he loved. He loved to make his audience feel good by entertaining them.

"Alison was an illusionist working on Norwegian cruise lines and theater venues in Japan when she met Daryl in 1996 at one of his lectures. They got together and in 1998 they were married. They had two beautiful daughters and Alison said that Daryl was a very caring generous loving father. They had a wonderful normal loving family being together for 20 years. They both loved each other and with the children were committed to each other forever.
*"Alison said that some of the internet sensational fake news stories and blogs are hurtful and not true. Simply a way to sell ads.*
"She said that because of legal issues the coroners will normally rule suicides as accidents unless there is absolute proof and absolute certainty in order to protect themselves from legal issues involving insurance companies etc.. Daryl loved the Magic Castle where he had spent so much time learning from Dai Vernon and other great master magicians. It was like home for him. A place he loved. A place he felt safe. Those who saw him friday said he was peaceful and serene as he quietly visited every room. Fond memories of the happy years he spent there. He went to the dressing room area in the parlor. He was fully clothed. He had placed a bag over his head so that the people finding his body at the Castle, out of respect for them, would not have to see or remember seeing a gruesome dead face. He had placed certain items, and papers, in his coat pockets that have meaning to Alison. So Daryl had decided to end his long bout with depression on his own terms at a place that he loved. His body was found hanging fully clothed with a bag over his head in the parlor dressing area behind the curtain of the parlor. His body will be sent home to be cremated. There will be a memorial service at the Magic Castle some time in the future.
*"Daryl had no life insurance. Alison and Daryl's relationship was fine. He had planned to spend one day at home after the Phoenix lecture before leaving on a 30 city lecture tour in Spain.*
"Alison and the kids are now faced with funeral expenses. Alison like Daryl works from home. So this is a real good time to stock up on Daryl magic supplies which would help Alison and the kids pay for the funeral expenses. Daryl's web site is fully operational and all orders will be promptly filled. His web site is: " www.Daryl.net

220: My Week at the Magic Castle 2015 - Part One

We're off to be the wizard. We head west this week to the hills of Hollywood a bit early before my week begins because I want to catch the Castle swap meet on Saturday. To kick off this multi-part podcast of my week at the Castle, there is no better way to indoctrinate you than to immerse you in the lore and with stories from the Castle's rich heritage.

In this Part One podcast, we sit down in "Vernon's Corner" to hear stories from Howard Hamburg and Newell Unfried. They tell story after story of legends some of whom are long gone but whose spirit lives on in the Magic Castle. They include stories of Dai Vernon, Eddie Fields, Earl Nelson, Ed Marlo, John Cornelius and many, many others. We also get to chat with Bill Goodwin, the Librarian of The Magic Castle. What a way to kick off this series!

00:07:22 - Howard Hamburg and Newell Unfried seem to top each other by telling one story after another about many of the legendary magicians who have frequented the Magic Castle over its rich years of history. Newell has some great stories about those who have visited the old Hollywood Magic shop and Howard talks about some of the characters from the Castle like Senator Crandall and Dai Vernon. Our discussion is topped by a final story involving Martin Nash and the Professor. Nothing can top this one.

00:50:34 - Close-Up Magician of the Year (and current nominee again for 2014), Bill Goodwin talks about the Castle library and the thousands of videos available among the many tombs of books. He also talks about bequethment of collections and how you can provide for donatoins to the library after you are gone.