• The Magic Word
  • Become a Friend of The Magic Word
  • Subscribe to The Magic Word
  • At The Table Lectures
  • Scott Wells Lecture Items
  • The Magic Word Podcast T-Shirt
  • Amazon.com Store to Support The Magic Word
  • The Magic Word Merchandise
  • Magic Convention Guide
  • Magic Theaters
  • Archives
  • About
  • Contact

The Magic Word The Magic Word

  • The Magic Word
  • Become a Friend of The Magic Word
  • Subscribe to The Magic Word
  • At The Table Lectures
  • Scott Wells Lecture Items
  • The Magic Word Podcast T-Shirt
  • Amazon.com Store to Support The Magic Word
  • The Magic Word Merchandise
  • Magic Convention Guide
  • Magic Theaters
  • Archives
  • About
  • Contact

912: Diana Zimmerman - The Enchantress

Diana Zimmerman is an enchanting woman in every sense of the word: personality, charm, abilities, looks, intelligence, skill, and so much more. She has led a life of magic like few other women. And she is being recognized for her achievements by being inducted to the Los Angeles Times Global Magicians Hall of Fame on July 9th, 2025. Married at 19 to Dick Zimmerman, magician and creative genius, she performed around the world on television and stage with her one-woman performance. She traveled with a giant gramophone then later switched to a thumb tie and pick pocketing. She developed and still works with the Magic Castle Junior Program (which just celebrated their 50th year) and is the author of several books of fantasy. But she also authored the definitive collector’s edition of the Siegfried and Roy book.

View fullsize IMG_4807.jpg
View fullsize Global Magicians Awards.jpg
View fullsize head shot.jpg
View fullsize Image5.jpg
View fullsize Image6.jpg
View fullsize Image7.jpg
View fullsize Image8.jpg
View fullsize Image9.jpg
View fullsize Image10.jpg
View fullsize Image11.jpg
View fullsize Image12.jpg
View fullsize Image13.jpg
View fullsize Image14.jpg
View fullsize Image15.jpg
View fullsize Image16.jpg

Diana has so many stories that she shares with us this week including her early days working with her then-husband, Dick Zimmerman, then how Cary Grant encouraged her to form the junior program at the Magic Castle, and many stories about the late Siegfried and Roy. She was a close confidant to the illusionists and shares some “behind the scenes” stories from Little Bavaria to “the Incident” that ended their Las Vegas run.

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 Pandora and SiriusXM (formerly 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 Diana Zimmerman, Magic Castle, Magic Castle Junior Member, Doug Henning, Dai Vernon, Dick Zimmerman, Channing Pollock, pickpocketing, Matthew O'Neill, Jason Latimer, Michael Rangel, Lisa Menna, Cary Grant, Siegfried and Roy, Johnny Thompson, Gary Darwin, Michael Jackson, Little Bavaria.

July 3, 2025 by Scott Wells.
  • July 3, 2025
  • Scott Wells
  • Diana Zimmerman
  • Magic Castle
  • Magic Castle Junior Member
  • Doug Henning
  • Dai Vernon
  • Dick Zimmerman
  • Channing Pollock
  • pickpocketing
  • Matthew O'Neill
  • Jason Latimer
  • Michael Rangel
  • Lisa Menna
  • Cary Grant
  • Siegfried and Roy
  • Johnny Thompson
  • Gary Darwin
  • Michael Jackson
  • Little Bavaria
  • Post a comment
Comment

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.

View fullsize IMG_2457.jpg
View fullsize IMG_2453.jpg
View fullsize 13 years old.jpg
View fullsize dick stoner early.jpg
View fullsize poster.jpg
View fullsize casket trick.jpg
View fullsize glasses.jpg
View fullsize in his chair.jpg
View fullsize in his magic shop.jpg
View fullsize new report clip.jpg

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

787: TAOM 2023 Convention - Day Three Report

Sunday September 3, 2023

6:00 AM until 8:00 AM Invisible Lodge

7:00 AM until 8:00 AM Religious Meeting

8:00 AM until 8:30 AM General Meeting

8:30 AM until 6:30 PM TAOM 2024 Registration

9:00 AM until 6:30 PM Registration Desk Open

9:00 AM until 11:30 AM Stage Contest

10:00 AM until 5:00 PM Dealers Room Open

10:30 AM until 12:00 PM Magical Katrina Lecture

12:00 PM until 2:00 PM Lunch

2:00 PM until 5:00 PM Professional Close-up

* Eric Tait

* Doug Conn

* Chad Long

* Katrina

* Brent Braun

5:00 PM until 7:00 PM Dinner

7:00 PM until 9:00 PM Awards & Stage Show Contest Awards Transfer of Power

* Michael Finney

* Rob Lake

9:15 PM until midnight Strolling Magic

9:30 PM until 11:00 PM Steve Valentine Lecture

11:30 PM until 1:00 AM President’s Party

View fullsize IMG_2915.jpg
View fullsize IMG_2916.jpg
View fullsize IMG_2917.jpg
View fullsize IMG_2918.jpg
View fullsize IMG_2130.jpg
View fullsize IMG_2133.jpg
View fullsize IMG_2135.jpg
View fullsize IMG_2140.jpg
View fullsize IMG_2156.jpg
View fullsize IMG_2942.jpg
View fullsize IMG_2943.jpg
View fullsize IMG_2945.jpg
View fullsize IMG_2976.jpg
View fullsize Contest Winners
View fullsize IMG_2995.jpg
View fullsize IMG_2996.jpg
View fullsize IMG_2997.jpg
View fullsize IMG_3003.jpg
View fullsize IMG_0831.JPEG
View fullsize IMG_2178.jpg
View fullsize IMG_3004.jpg
View fullsize IMG_3005.jpg
View fullsize IMG_3006.jpg

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

Posted in Convention Report and tagged with TAOM, Houston Texas, Gregg Lancaster, Erik Tait, Steve Valentine, Cinde Sanders, Dal Sanders, Katrina Kroetch, David Rangel, Robert Vallin, Rob Lake, Kirby VanBurch, Mike Miller, Greg Youngs, Bob Emorry, Harry Maurer.

September 4, 2023 by Scott Wells.
  • September 4, 2023
  • Scott Wells
  • TAOM
  • Houston Texas
  • Gregg Lancaster
  • Erik Tait
  • Steve Valentine
  • Cinde Sanders
  • Dal Sanders
  • Katrina Kroetch
  • David Rangel
  • Robert Vallin
  • Rob Lake
  • Kirby VanBurch
  • Mike Miller
  • Greg Youngs
  • Bob Emorry
  • Harry Maurer
  • Convention Report
  • Post a comment
Comment
Older

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
  • Become a Friend of The Magic Word
  • Subscribe to The Magic Word
  • At The Table Lectures
  • Scott Wells Lecture Items
  • The Magic Word Podcast T-Shirt
  • Amazon.com Store to Support The Magic Word
  • The Magic Word Merchandise
  • Magic Convention Guide
  • Magic Theaters
  • Archives
  • About
  • Contact

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!

MAGIC Live! 2025 Daily Reports It's a wrap! - All four days of reports from MAGIC Live! in Las Vegas have been posted on The Magic Word Podcast and available for your listening pleasure. What another great convention! 15 years and counting. #magicliv
Abbott's 87th Get Together 2025 Daily Reports - Daily reports from "Camp Colon" featuring chats with registrants, talent, organizers, dealers, and more. It's the next best thing to being there!
Travel Breather in the Eye of the Storm - We are between two (actually three) major events: FISM, Abbott's Get Together and MAGIC Live! Last week was a full week of FISM reports. Next week we travel to Colon, Michigan for Abbott's Get Together then i
MAGIC Live! 2025 Daily Reports It's a wrap! - All four days of reports from MAGIC Live! in Las Vegas have been posted on The Magic Word Podcast and available for your listening pleasure. What another great convention! 15 years and counting. #magicliv Abbott's 87th Get Together 2025 Daily Reports - Daily reports from "Camp Colon" featuring chats with registrants, talent, organizers, dealers, and more. It's the next best thing to being there!
Rome may not have been built in a day, but we tried to see as much of it as we could in an afternoon.
Another beautiful day in Umbria visiting #Assissi and #Perugia #Italy
More time near the Tuscan sun. But this time we traveled south to Umbria where we visited #Bevagna #Montefalco and #Spello
More time under the beautiful Tuscan sun with a visit to Montalcino and Montepulciano for wine tasting and exploring. Now staying in a monestary. #italy
Travel Breather in the Eye of the Storm - We are between two (actually three) major events: FISM, Abbott's Get Together and MAGIC Live! Last week was a full week of FISM reports. Next week we travel to Colon, Michigan for Abbott's Get Together then i
Another delightful day under the Tuscan sun in Siena and other cities I can't spell, but enjoying the sun, the food, the wine, and the culture. And the Gelato is amazing. #gelato #siena #italy

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.

tumblr
linkedin
twitter-unauth
facebook-unauth
instagram-unauth
x-formerly-twitter-unauth
pinterest-unauth
facebook-unauth
Amazon Affiliate 2020 graphic.jpg