685: Puck - Getting to Know You

Malcolm “Puck” Puckering traveled with Denny (Haney) & Lee for years assisting in their many college shows. Puck is one of the three who were “acolytes” of Denny, the other two being Scott Alexander and Alain Nu, both of whom have been featured in previous podcast episodes here. So, it is about time that we sit down to chat with Puck about his experience with Denny plus his many other ventures aboard cruise ships and on stages for Monday Night Magic, corporate events and so much more.

Join your podcast host as we get to know Puck along with you as we find out more about his life, his magic and his career.

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#201 - Murray Sawchuck - Celebrity Magician

Murray Sawchuck recently completed two and a half years at the Tropicana's Laugh Factory in Las Vegas. On December 20, 2014, he will begin a new afternoon show at Planet Hollywood's "Sincity Theater" along his wife, Chloe, and his partner, Lefty. Murray will add illusions to his comedy magic show plus bring in different aspects of his other appearances on television such as "Pawn Stars" and other shows.

During our conversation, Murray talked about his upcoming appearance on Hallmark's Home & Family morning talk show. After you have listened to the podcast, then be sure to come back to watch this video. The other two videos below are from a couple of his appearances on "America's Got Talent" (sic).

Murray and his baby Chihuahua Kahlua do a magic trick for the Emmy Nominated show Home & Family. www.murraymagic.com

Why is Murray considered a "Celebrity Magician"? Hear what he has done and what he is doing in and around Las Vegas and on television and determine for yourself if you think he deserves the title. Breaks happen, but as they say, "luck is when preparation meets opportunity." Murray works hard to find opportunities to promote his brand so you could say he is one of the luckiest guys in the business.

Among many other topics discussed in this podcast, Murray talks about how he got his first break to headline his own show in Las Vegas and how it evolved to the new show at Planet Hollywood. He talks about contracts, "two-wall" versus "four-walling" a venue in Las Vegas, working on "America's Got Talent", "Pawn Stars", "Wizard Wars", "Extreme Escapes", advice from Marvin "Mr. Electric" Roy, using social media to your advantage, and more. He also gives us an idea of what a typical day in his life is like. He also talks at the end about his favorite charity, Children of the Night", rescuing children from prostitution, which draws attention to one of the least visible charities out there. He is one busy guy!

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Magic & Martinis & Murray Thursday

173: Ray Anderson - Esther's Follies

There's no doubt about it. Ray Anderson is one of my favorite magicians. And I'm not alone in that assessment. Many magicians have trekked to the capital of Texas to see Ray in action. A mainstay of Esther's Follies for over 30 years, Ray continues to deliver a high impact, hilarious and mysterious performance three nights a week, two shows a night with only a few days rest here and there.

Hundreds of thousands of people have flocked to Austin, Texas to see the hilarious, politically charged satirical songs and dances of the players. Esther's Follies doesn't promote or advertise itself in the normal way. They do it through word of mouth. And that's enough to pack sold out audiences at every show, and I mean every show.

Ray Anderson has developed various stage characters and honed them to perfection over the years. But more than just a magician, Ray also choreographs and helps stage the weekly extravaganzas that change every week.

UPDATE October 2, 2015: Click Here to read a news article of Ray Anderson's magical career path.

THE AMAZING FRANK

During this podcast, Ray chats about magic, creativity and the history of Esther's Follies. Ray doesn't get to talk much about magic as he seldom travels outside Austin (except on those rare "vacations" from Esther's) or attends magic conventions. So it was a fun chat where he talked about where he gets his ideas for new illusions, his friends in magic, illusion builders, and building a show. Although Ray is not widely known in the magic world, he is an exceptional entertainer. And anyone who has ever seen him at Esther's Follies will agree. He's the best!