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Click on the banner above to download the Guidebook app for your tablet or smart phone.

300: Day Two - 2016 I.B.M. Convention

Click on the banner above to download the Guidebook app for your tablet or smart phone.

Click on the banner above to download the Guidebook app for your tablet or smart phone.

Today began the first day of the the "Triple Treat" so named because each day the registrants are broken into three groups (by color) and attend an hour and a half of performances and lectures by three different magicians, one in each of three rooms each day: Richard Turner, Paul Vigil, and Brian Gillis. After the General Board Meeting, the second day of stage contests were held (which yielded a few finalists for Monday night's show). The afternoon lecture by Michael Ammar was another outstanding (and packed) event. The evening's "Magic Foolers Show" left something to be desired in that there were audio and visual problems. Plus the show would have been better received in a smaller venue probably back at the hotel ballroom. The final night's activity was a discussion with Jeff McBride and Eugene Burger talking about the 25 years of the Mystery School.

View fullsize Dealer Chairman, Terry Richison
View fullsize IMG_8323.JPG
View fullsize Past International President, Jep Hostetler
View fullsize Outgoing PIP, Joe M. Turner and Incoming PIP, Oscar Munoz
View fullsize Gregg Lancaster
View fullsize Michael Ammar Lecture
View fullsize Michael Ammar
View fullsize Jeff McBride and Eugene Burger
View fullsize Harriet Jacobson and Gay Blackstone
View fullsize Brian Miller
View fullsize Dave Bowers and Sammy Patrick Smith
View fullsize Ray Anderson, Nick Lewin, Scott Wells, Obie O'Brien, Michael FInney
View fullsize Trixie Bond, Scott Wells, Gay Blackstone, Jarvis, Donnie Kornegay, Harriett Jacobson, Jim Cox, Charlie Dodson, BJ, Kathy Wells

Time stamps for this podcast:

00:00:13 - Dealer Chairman, Terry Richison, talks about some of the cool things in the dealers' room.

00:08:34 - Past International President, Jep Hostetler, talks about attending the Richard Turner experience as part of the "Triple Treat"

00:10:28 - Attendee Greg Lancaster gives us his take on the Paul Vigil performance/lecture in the "Triple Treat".

00:12:08 - Jeff McBride and Eugene Burger talk about the many years they have taught the youth as part of the I.B.M. youth group activities each year.

00:16:55 - Harriet Jacobson and Gay Blackstone chat about their specialized magic jewelry sold through BJW Magical Jewelers which is one of the many dealers in the dealers' room this year.

00:22:24 - Past President of the British Ring, Brian Miller, talks about the upcoming British Ring convention.

00:26:45 - S.A.M. National President, David Bowers, talks about his year as President of that organization and some stories from the road. He is later joined by The Linking Ring Editor, Sammy Patrick Smith, and together they talk about the two organizations' journals, The Linking Ring and M.U.M. and the possible future of the magazines, joint conventions, and organizations.

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Posted in Convention Report and tagged with I.B.M. Convention, San Antonio Texas, Terry RIchison, David Bowers, Sammy Patrick Smith, Brian Miller, Jep Hostetler, Harriett Jacobson, Gay Blackstone, Jeff McBride, Eugene Burger.

July 4, 2016 by Scott Wells.
  • July 4, 2016
  • Scott Wells
  • I.B.M. Convention
  • San Antonio Texas
  • Terry RIchison
  • David Bowers
  • Sammy Patrick Smith
  • Brian Miller
  • Jep Hostetler
  • Harriett Jacobson
  • Gay Blackstone
  • Jeff McBride
  • Eugene Burger
  • Convention Report
  • 1 Comment
1 Comment
Walter Blaney banner.jpg

142: Walter "Zaney" Blaney, his Ladder Levitation and David Hoy

Walter Blaney banner.jpg

Walter "Zaney" Blaney's career has spanned well over 50 years. He is a creator, innovator, performer,  engineer, politician and an all-around great guy and friend to thousands of magicians and non-magicians alike.  Over the many decades of his professional career, Walter has appeared on many television shows that are now part of broadcast history such as the Mike Douglas Show, the Dinah Shore show, The Merv Griffin show and of course, the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. He has won multiple;e awards in magic not the least of which is being in the S.A.M.'s "Magicians' Hall of Fame".

Walter has been the subject of many articles, broadcasts and discussions. I spoke with Walter in 1996 about his history of his Ladder Levitation and his hoop that had several funny anecdotes behind its making and his performances over the years.

One of the earlier interviews was done "on the radio" in 1965 by his good friend, David Hoy as Walter was on his way to perform at Abbott's Get-Together. Perhaps David Hoy is best known among magicians today as the creator of the "Tossed Out Deck". But David contributed so much more than that to our magic community that you can read about elsewhere on the internet. In this famous (infamous?) radio broadcast, David hosted their mutual friend, Logan Pritchett (aka Doctor Zuko) as one of the guests that featured Walter talking about his "new" levitation.

A rare audio recording highlights a look back at Walters banquet show career. http://www.walterzaneyblaney.com Including commentary from David Copperfield, Lance Burton and Stan Allen.
early Blaney.jpg
View fullsize David Hoy
View fullsize Logan Pritchett (aka Dr. Zuko)
View fullsize "Please lay down here and relax."
View fullsize Early promo shot of Blaney Ladder Suspension
View fullsize Cover of MagiCol Magazine May 2010
View fullsize 21457523_1555610327867332_7247599707109877340_o.jpg

00:01:18 - On January 26, 1996 Scott Wells interviewed Walter "Zaney" Blaney using a rather cheap cassette recorder. So please pardon the quality of the sound, but the content is golden. Walter talks about how he got the nickname of "Zaney" and the evolution of his famous Ladder Levitation/Suspension and the long history and problems with developing his hoop and funny (and sad) anecdotes along the way.

00:49:15 - During the I.B.M. national convention in Phoenix on July 17, 2013 I asked Walter to share the funny story behind the "radio" interview with David Hoy.

01:01:00 - July 1965 in Evansville, Indiana, David Hoy greeted guests Logan Pritchett and Walter "Zaney" Blaney on a radio broadcast hoax that has never before been available on the internet.

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. (please note: this RSS Feed subscription system may not work with Android systems). Remember, you can download it through iTunes. See the preview page by Clicking Here.

Walter Blaney tells the story of one of Magics greatest practical jokes. http://www.facebook.com/StillZaney Part of the documentary series " Still Zaney After All These Years" Featuring Lance Burton, Rick Thomas, Steve Dacri, Peter Reveen, Jeff McBride and Stan Allen

Magician Walter "Zaney" Blaney's seven year effort to debut his Ladder Levitation Illusion on Johnny Carson's Tonight Show. https://www.facebook.com/StillZaney This is part of a documentary series "Still Zaney After All These Years" . Tonight Show Footage courtesy of Jeff Sotzing - Carson Entertainment Group.

On August 15, 2017, David Copperfield paid tribute to Walter "Zaney" Blaney at the dedication of the Walter Blaney Exhibit at the David Copperfield Museum and Library of the Conjuring Arts in Las Vegas. (Produced by Timothy Drake) http://www.walterzaneyblaney.com

Magic & Martinis' Thursday

"Elevating" the art of the martini! Thanks, Walter.

"Elevating" the art of the martini! Thanks, Walter.

Tagged with Walter "Zaney" Blaney, David Hoy, Logan Pritchett, Doctor Zuko, ladder levitation, ladder suspension, Abbott's Get Together, Ricky Dunn, Timothy Drake.

February 27, 2014 by Scott Wells.
  • February 27, 2014
  • Scott Wells
  • Walter "Zaney" Blaney
  • David Hoy
  • Logan Pritchett
  • Doctor Zuko
  • ladder levitation
  • ladder suspension
  • Abbott's Get Together
  • Ricky Dunn
  • Timothy Drake
  • Post a comment
Comment

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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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!
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Travel Breather in the Eye of the Storm - We are between two (actually three) major events: FISM, Abbott's Get Together and MAGIC Live! Last week was a full week of FISM reports. Next week we travel to Colon, Michigan for Abbott's Get Together then i

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