680: Kent Cummins - 70+ Years of Experience

After 70 years as a professional magician, there isn’t much that Kent Cummiins hasn’t seen or done. Not just a magician, Kent is also a noted national keynote speaker, a corporate trainer, author, a magic collector, a teacher and a juggler. Starting young with his first Mr. Mysto magic set, he took the moniker from the box for a short time as he forged his career early in life.He performed magic while serving his country in the armed forces, too. Kent is a co-founder of the Fantastic Magic Camp that has successfully trained hundreds of youth in the art of magic for decades.

In this week’s episode, we try to “take a drink from a fire hydrant” as Kent Cummins shares over seven decades of stories and background from his vast experience as a professional magician living in the capitol of Texas, Austin.

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

279: The Cardini Connection with Randy Pitchford

Randy Pitchford is the nephew of Richard Valentine Pitchford, who was better known as Cardini. More than just a familial connection, Randy is also a performer, entrepreneur and successful businessman. Randy is the CEO and President of Gearbox Software located in Frisco, Texas (a northern suburb of Dallas).

Randy purchased much of the Cardini collection from the 2013 Potter & Potter auction and put the bulk of the exhibit in a museum at the Magic Castle. His most recent purchase may have the furthest reaching impact in our community: he is the new owner of Genii Magazine.

Randy is building a home designed to be like Brookledge, the home of Bill and Irene Larsen in Los Angeles. He even plans to present regular shows for the public in his home not unlike the Bookledge Follies.

Magician Cardini performing in 1957

Cardini (Richard Pitchford) performing coins and cards for some lucky people on a cruise. This rare footage was shot by Dr. Morris Young, and hasn't been seen for 50 years. Edited and restored by Magicbymax Steven Max Droge Productions.

Borderlands 2 creator Randy Pitchford (President and Co-founder, Gearbox Studios) gives his keynote speech at the 2013 D.I.C.E. SUMMIT. Titled "Video Games Are Magic". Brought to you by Variety and Machinima. The D.I.C.E.

Randy Pitchford was born in 1971 and Richard "Cardini" Pitchford died in 1973 so Randy has no recollection of his uncle. In this podcast, Randy talks about the acquisition of his Cardini artifacts plus some stories that were passed down to Randy from the family and friends. He also talks about his experience in his early years of performing at the Magic Castle and his personal relationship with the late Irene Larsen.

Also, he briefly talks about his recent acquisition of Genii magazine from Richard Kaufman; however, since the details have not been fleshed out, there are not many details to share. At this point, I understand that no change of any kind is envisioned for the immediate future of the magazine. Randy just wants to preserve this part of magic history and make sure of the longevity, viability and vitality of Genii far into the future so it can "live on forever."

Here is the photo taken by Michael Wilcoxen, the winner of the contest, with the framed Peau -Doux card he received as he has it displayed in his home.

This is the framed fan of Peau Doux manipulations cards (used by Cardini) that was presented by Randy Pitchford to David Copperfield. This is NOT the number of cards nor type of frame that will be sent to the winner of the contest (which is now ende… — This is the framed fan of Peau Doux manipulations cards (used by Cardini) that was presented by Randy Pitchford to David Copperfield. This is NOT the number of cards nor type of frame that will be sent to the winner of the contest (which is now ended). The contest here was for one framed card (probably without the brass plaque) and I'm uncertain of the type of framing that Randy will prepare.

#198 - Henning Magic - Part Two

In this second and final podcast of my "pre-Halloween" coffee talk with Eric Henning, he picks up where we left off talking about his experience of performing at a Halloween party in 2010 in the White House for President Obama. This story, as most of Eric's stories, goes down several side roads before it all comes to a satisfactory conclusion. But it is a delightful journey.

In addition to his story about performing in the White House for the President, Eric also talks about some additional thoughts and tips since he published his book "Tips: Real World Ideas from a Working Magician". His website for magicians, http://thewand.net is where you can find this excellent set of lecture notes which I highly recommend. During our conversation, One of the tips that is not in his book if for Amazing Insoles for anybody who's on their feet a lot (like most all performing magicians).

He also talks about the importance of learning to be a better public speaker by joining Toastmasters in your area. We also talk about the importance of taking pictures with your client and sending it to the client with a hand-written "thank you" card. Eric shares a few additional tips like ideas from the old Linking Ring columns by Rick Johnsonn, "Come A Little Closer" He finishes with a great tax tip that every magician should do BEFORE the end of the calendar year.

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.

Eric "The Financial Wizard" Henning will be one of the professors at M.B.U. in 2015

Join Trixie Bond and Charles Gauci and Scott Wells for lunch in Houston in this short podcast.

Fill your Christmas stockings with all things Banachek.

680: Kent Cummins - 70+ Years of Experience

279: The Cardini Connection with Randy Pitchford

#198 - Henning Magic - Part Two

The Magic Word