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The Magic Word The Magic Word

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802: Dick Stoner - Trade Show Pioneer

At 93 years of age, Dick Stoner was a pioneer in performing magic at trade shows and a magic shop owner since the 1940’s. It is because of people like Dick that other magicians have been successful trade show performers. Certainly many of us are figuratively standing on his shoulders. But not only that, Dick has owned and operated Stoners Funstore in Fort Wayne, Indiana, since 1949. There are few brick and mortar shops that have been around that long.

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While attending the 2023 Abbott’s Get Together, I had the chance to sit down with Dick Stoner to record this week’s chat. He attends this convention somewhat regularly, but doesn’t stay more than a day, so it was hard to catch him. In this episode we chat about his magic store as well as his career as a trade show magician. He also reminisces about some of those with whom he worked like Johnny Thompson, Eddie Tullock Bud Dietrich and other trade show titans.

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 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 Dick Stoner, trade shows, Dick Ryan, Bud Dietrich, Johnny Thompson, Mike Rogers, Nashville Network, Ed Sullivan, brick and mortar, magic shop, Stoners Funstore, Eddie Tullock, Steve Allen.

November 16, 2023 by Scott Wells.
  • November 16, 2023
  • Scott Wells
  • Dick Stoner
  • trade shows
  • Dick Ryan
  • Bud Dietrich
  • Johnny Thompson
  • Mike Rogers
  • Nashville Network
  • Ed Sullivan
  • brick and mortar
  • magic shop
  • Stoners Funstore
  • Eddie Tullock
  • Steve Allen
  • 1 Comment
1 Comment
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606: Al the Only - Business Tips

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From Michigan to Hawaii, Al the Only has entertained thousands of people in restaurants, at trade shows, and for corporate banquets over the decades. He is also a mainstay of Abbott’s Get Together in Colon, Michigan, where each year he conducts the “magic graveyard” tour about which he literally “wrote the book” on who is buried there.

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Al has a lifetime of experience that he shares in an encapsulated hour. He gives us some great business tips on working trade shows, performing in restaurants, and entertaining corporate audiences. He also discusses his role as the tour guide for the Colon, Michigan, “Magic Cemetery.”

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 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

Click on this graphic for more info on the Crown Royal egg bag by Robert Baxt.

Click on this graphic for more info on the Crown Royal egg bag by Robert Baxt.

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Tagged with Al the Only, Abbott's Get Together, Cemetery Tour, Hawaii, restaurant magic, Dick Ryan, trade shows, Michael Mode, Jay Marshall, Karrell Fox, Jeff Hobson.

April 8, 2021 by Scott Wells.
  • April 8, 2021
  • Scott Wells
  • Al the Only
  • Abbott's Get Together
  • Cemetery Tour
  • Hawaii
  • restaurant magic
  • Dick Ryan
  • trade shows
  • Michael Mode
  • Jay Marshall
  • Karrell Fox
  • Jeff Hobson
  • Post a comment
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444: Don Wiberg - Part Two: Chicago Magic Roundtable History

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Don Wiberg is a Past International President of the International Brotherhood of Magicians. Hre is the historical information on the Chicago Round able as reported on the website of the Chicago Magic Lounge:

The Chicago Magic Round Table was originally established in 1929 as an informal gathering of professional and amateur magicians, meeting daily for lunch at De Lazon’s restaurant. Luminaries like Jay and Frances Marshall, Dr. Harlan Tarbell, Harry Blackstone Sr., and Werner Dornfield, held court in the spirit of camaraderie and a shared love of the art of magic. Word quickly spread, and the Round Table came to be a headquarters for magicians. 

The gatherings continued into the mid-1950s, and endured a few changes of location, eventually settling on a daily lunch at the Drake Restaurant. Eventually though, meetings tapered off, sometime in the 1960s, and the first iteration of the Round Table slowly vanished. 

The Chicago Magic Round Table had a brief resurgence in the late 2000s when Dan Mindo, Tracy Atteberry, and David Parr revived the informal gatherings beginning at the Green Door Tavern under the name "Chicago Magic Round Table". However, that too,  faded away as schedules and availability had their eternal clash, and schedules won...

In 2018, the Chicago Magic Round Table has been re-established with a new permanent home: the Chicago Magic Lounge. An association of practicing, amateur, and hobbyist magicians, our goal is to create a community for practitioners and lovers of magic. Be a part of the grand history of Chicago magic. Click the link below for more information. 

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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 Stitcher by Clicking Here or through FeedPress by Clicking Here or through Tunein.com by Clicking Here or through iHeart Radio by Clicking Here.. Remember, you can download it through the iTunes store, too. See the preview page by Clicking Here

Tagged with Don Wiberg, Chicago, Chicago magic history.

August 23, 2018 by Scott Wells.
  • August 23, 2018
  • Scott Wells
  • Don Wiberg
  • Chicago
  • Chicago magic history
  • Post a comment
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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

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