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.

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

623: James Holmes - The Cane and Silk Road

During a recent trip to Branson, Missouri, to see a couple of the magic shows in town, I was pleasantly reunited with an old friend, James Holmes. The name is probably not familiar to, well…nearly 95% of listeners here on the podcast. But for a variety of reasons, you should know who this person is and what he has contributed and continues to contribute to our magic community. James has been around for a long time and I probably made his acquaintance in the 1980’s. He is the creator of the “One Handed Cane to Silk” among other things.

This week, James talks about how he came up with the “One Handed Cane to Silk” effect and how he developed and marketed it. He talks about his close association with the late Fantasio as well as the late team of “Tom and Sherrie”. Unfortunately, piracy is a common thing in our community where unscrupulous “manufacturers” and dealers make and sell ripoffs of others’ creations. James talks a little about this and how it affected both him and Fantasio.

593: David Magee - Reinventor

From behind the radio microphone to trade show floors to celebrity charity shows to casino showrooms to a one-man show, Dave Magee is one of those performers who excels in every category. He is one of the busiest magicians who most magicians have never heard of. He doesn’t have products for sale to magicians and rarely appears at magic conventions. But he has found more than one niche where he is comfortable and earns a very comfortable living. Along the way, he has called on the expertise of Johnny Thompson who went from a producer/director/consultant to a best friend.

Las Vegas mentalist and illusionist David Magee is back with a 100% new show for this year's Dominican Republic missions benefit.

A military exclusive! Mentalist and sleight-of-hand artist David Magee chats with Exchange Senior Enlisted Advisor Kevin “KO Osby” about his mind-blowing act, his mentors, and he throws in a few live tricks just for you!

In this episode, Dave talks about how working free shows is a good thing that can advance your career if you wisely choose the correct charities. He also shares many stories about working with Johnny Thompson, how he developed his niche at Indian casinos, and performing his own “sold out” one-man magic show.

Order your 2021 Magic Calendar from Amazon and help The Magic Word with your purchase through their affiliate program. Thank you.