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The Magic Word The Magic Word

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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.”

Business Tips
Scott Wells and Al the Only
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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..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
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484: David Hira - That's All Folks

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David Hira is calling it quits. He has taken a long, hard look at his life and decided that now is the best time to retire from actively performing regular magic shows. This week’s podcast is a fascinating look not into the career of a successful performer (if you want to hear that, then listen Click Here to hear that podcast), but rather the reasons why he feels he is ready to retire from performing. If you are one of those “older” magicians who wonders when it is time to hang up the proverbial cape, then you will find some great advice in this podcast.

www.davidhira.com This is a video of clips from several of my magic shows, including excerpts from my Comedy Magic Hour! The end of the video features a list of my many satisfied clients!
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Time Stamps for this podcast:

00:06:36 - David talks about the secrets of infomercials, trade shows, marketing and retirement.

00:38:24 - Product Review from Murphy’s Magic Supplies: “The Gift” by Angelo Carbone: a 4” x 4” black gift box that contains your prediction (a choice of four things). The volunteer reaches opens and retrieves the prediction. Great closing piece for your “sit-down” close-up show. Highly recommended.

That's All Folks
Scott Wells and David Hira
Download

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 David Hira, retirement, Karrell Fox.

April 11, 2019 by Scott Wells.
  • April 11, 2019
  • Scott Wells
  • David Hira
  • retirement
  • Karrell Fox
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355: Bill Smith - The Man Behind the Illusions

Former Long Beach Mystic, Bill Smith, has been a long time resident on Las Vegas and doesn't consider himself as a creator so much as he is a builder. He has seen a lot of magicians come and go. For ten years, he was a stage hand for Harry Blackstone, Jr. and traveled across the U.S. including his Broadway show. He also has some strong beliefs on building from original plans rather than building rip-offs.

As part of the Las Vegas Chronicles, one of the visits was to the illusion fabrication warehouse of Bill Smith's Magic Ventures where his crew was busy building props for upcoming shows. For more info on Magic Ventures, visit his website at: http://www.magicventures.com/

To hear our chat with Bill Smith, visit: https://www.themagicwordpodcast.com/scottwellsmagic/bill-smith

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Bill Smith talks about his migration to "Sin City" as magic began to flourish. He talks about magic he has been involved with from Caesar's Magic Kingdom to the current big shows on the Strip. He also talks about working with Stan Allen in the magic shop in Los Angeles and his early attempts at building. Bill started out as a performer and gradually moved into building. He also chats about how he met Harry Blackstone, Jr. and how he starting working for him including a lot of behind-the-scene stories with Harry. Some of Bill's best memories are from his attendance at Abbott's Get Together.

We then have a good discussion about rip-offs of illusions, ethics, rights, YouTube, China, lack of creativity, and more. He now laments the lack of new, original illusions coming on the market today.

The Man Behind the Illusions
Scott Wells and Bill Smith
Download

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. Remember, you can download it through the iTunes store, too. See the preview page by Clicking Here

Tagged with Bill Smith, Les Arnold and Dazzle, Las Vegas, Caesar's Magic Kingdom, Harry Blackstone Jr., Long Beach Mystics, Karrell Fox, Abbott's Get Together, Del Ray, Jim Steinmeyer, John Gaughan, David Copperfield, Walter "Zaney" Blaney.

May 4, 2017 by Scott Wells.
  • May 4, 2017
  • Scott Wells
  • Bill Smith
  • Les Arnold and Dazzle
  • Las Vegas
  • Caesar's Magic Kingdom
  • Harry Blackstone Jr.
  • Long Beach Mystics
  • Karrell Fox
  • Abbott's Get Together
  • Del Ray
  • Jim Steinmeyer
  • John Gaughan
  • David Copperfield
  • Walter "Zaney" Blaney
  • 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

This podcast is totally free for everyone to enjoy. This is provided to you out of love and respect for our art of magic. If you enjoy the podcasts and other material on The Magic Word, then your financial support will be greatly appreciated and help offset the monthly hosting service fee as well as the hardware and software to produce this podcast. Just click on the "Donate " button at the top of this page to make a one time donation through PayPal.

You can become a sustaining member by pledging a monthly donation of any amount through "Patreon" and receive some pretty cool perks for membershiip, too. Just Click Here for more information on how you can help.

By donating to The Magic Word, you will become a "Friend of The Magic Word" and receive a certificate (suitable for framing) indicating your membership plus your name will join your other friends and be posted on our "Wall of Fame". If you prefer to order something from the Store, then that will help support The Magic Word, too. Thank you.

  • The Magic Word
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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.”

Do you have a comment or suggestion for The Magic Word Podcast? Click on the SpeakPipe logo and leave a short audio message for Scott. It’s fast, easy and fun. Send a “shout out” today and who knows? Your message may be heard on an upcoming podcast!

Doug Gorman - Let Me Tell You A Story - Doug Gorman takes a back seat to no one. Quite literally, he is the driver for Richard Turner as they traverse the country. Doug is a professional magician and creator of close-up props and stories for the biza
Bob Bengel - The Dream Job - For many years, Bob Bengel held an enviable job as a full time employee of Hitachi playing golf and performing magic at all their trade shows. #bobbengel #magic #tradeshow #tradeshowmagic #hitachi #golf
Magic Collector Expo 2026 - Daily Report Daily reports from the Expo in New Jersey featuring conversations with organizers, talent, speakers, dealers, and more. #newyork #newyorkpubliclibrary #magiccollector #magiccollectorexpo #magicconvention #magi
I am so excited to be in the Class of 2026 being awarded with the honor of the Milbourne Christopher award. The ceremony is still months away, but I just couldn't wait to share this announcement.
Bill Malone - Bill Malone - Comedy close-up magician, Bill Malone, talks about his career, learning magic, working in bars, trade shows, his health, and his upcoming book. #comedymagic #billmalone #tradeshowmagic #chicagomagic #malonesmagicbar
You never know who you'll meet in an elevator. Thanks to Boris for snapping this great selfie at the recent F.F.F.F. close-up convention.
Doug Scheer - Scheer Sharing This week Doug Scheer shares advice about school show assemblies from his many decades of experience. #schoolshows #schoolsshowassemblies #magic #magicshows #childrensentertainment #schoolassemblies
Academy of Magical Arts annual awards banquet in Hollywood  #magiccastle #amaawards2026
Doug Gorman - Let Me Tell You A Story - Doug Gorman takes a back seat to no one. Quite literally, he is the driver for Richard Turner as they traverse the country. Doug is a professional magician and creator of close-up props and stories for the biza Bob Bengel - The Dream Job - For many years, Bob Bengel held an enviable job as a full time employee of Hitachi playing golf and performing magic at all their trade shows. #bobbengel #magic #tradeshow #tradeshowmagic #hitachi #golf Magic Collector Expo 2026 - Daily Report Daily reports from the Expo in New Jersey featuring conversations with organizers, talent, speakers, dealers, and more. #newyork #newyorkpubliclibrary #magiccollector #magiccollectorexpo #magicconvention #magi I am so excited to be in the Class of 2026 being awarded with the honor of the Milbourne Christopher award. The ceremony is still months away, but I just couldn't wait to share this announcement. Bill Malone - Bill Malone - Comedy close-up magician, Bill Malone, talks about his career, learning magic, working in bars, trade shows, his health, and his upcoming book. #comedymagic #billmalone #tradeshowmagic #chicagomagic #malonesmagicbar You never know who you'll meet in an elevator. Thanks to Boris for snapping this great selfie at the recent F.F.F.F. close-up convention. Doug Scheer - Scheer Sharing This week Doug Scheer shares advice about school show assemblies from his many decades of experience. #schoolshows #schoolsshowassemblies #magic #magicshows #childrensentertainment #schoolassemblies

The Magic Word Has been recognized by FeedSpot as the # 1 magician podcast in the world. Thank you all for your support and for listening throughout the years.

The Magic Word Podcast was selected by MillionPodcasts as one of the Top 25 Magician Podcasts on the web. In fact, it is currently listed as the Number 2 magician podcast!

The Magic Word Podcast was nominated for TWO categories in the new ONLINE MAGIC competition at the 2025 World Championship of Magic (FISM) in Turin, Italy. One was for the Best Magic Podcaster and the second for the Best Magic Newsletter. You may already listen, but you are missing out on the other half if you haven’t yet subscribed to our weekly podletter!

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