841: Benjamin Barnes - Talented Booker

Benjamin Barnes is the Director of Entertainment for the Chicago Magic Lounge. Prior to that, Ben booked the talent for Magic Chicago. He has a broad knowledge and database of talented performers from around the world. He regularly performs at the Magic Castle and has been on Masters of Illusion TV show and three times on Penn & Teller Fool Us. He is multi-talented as a professional close-up and stand-up (parlor) performer.

In this week’s episode, Benjamin tells us what he looks for when booking talent for the Chicago Magic Lounge. He has some specific needs and demands, so if you are interested in getting booked there, perhaps you should heed some of the advice he offers here. If you are not a professional performer or have no interest in getting booked there, it is still interesting to learn what a talent director is looking for and what it takes to be an act that qualifies for performing in this elite venue.

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It is not too late to register for the I.B.M. 2024 international convention that starts next week, July 10-13. For more information and to register for the convention, please visit: https://ibmconvention.com/

572: John-Ivan Palmer on "Master of Deception" - The Search for Jack Pyle

Looking for a book to read while under lockdown? How about enjoying the travels and travails of John-Ivan Palmer, son of the late “Master of Deception”, Jack Pyle. In this book, John (aka Jack Junior) reminisces about the post World War II days in the back of the car as they pulled their trailer back and forth across the country in search of the next gig. John talks about the many colorful characters who performed with his late father, Jack Pyle, and his adventures moving from one new school to another.

But the underlying theme of this book “Master of Deception” is John’s search for understanding his father’s undying love and passion of magic. Jack gained some level of fame (however you might describe that word) after being in several newspapers, appearing on television, in a cover article of TOPS Magazine, but most importantly, “earning his bones” on the road by traveling great distances just to keep his family alive and his passion intact.

Jack Pyle performs card magic on The Magic Palace.. Have more informaiton about this clip? Please let us know. — Jack Pyle performs card magic on *The Magic Palace*.. Have more informaiton about this clip? Please let us know.

Jack Pyle performs Cups and Balls on The Magic Palace. — Jack Pyle performs Cups and Balls on *The Magic Palace*.

Ultimately Jack ended his final years in the Chicago land area and communing with friends like Ed Marlo and others in the Chicago Magic Roundtable. He performed in the Magic Castle and later in life found success as a trade show magician during the heydays with Dick Ryan and others. If you would like to take a peek at a “life on the road” from the perspective of a traveling magician of the 1940’s and 50’s era, then you may want to check out this book.

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

216: Brad Henderson, the Esoteric Escamoteur - Part Two, Tales from the Mansion

We continue our conversation with Brad Henderson telling stories about his good friend Richard Garriott, aka Lord British in Ultima and General British in Tabula Rasa, but perhaps more well known to the general public as a game developer magnate and civilian astronaut. As mentioned in the blog last week, Brad was the curator of Richard Garriott's magic collection though now Richards primary residence is in New York City following his nuptials in 2011.

We begin this second part of our chat discussing more of the practical than the theoretical side of magic. But since we are talking with Brad, it does eventually slide into a little more theory towards the end.

Brad planned elaborate parties for Richard Garriott, one of which nearly cost Brad his life due to the stress and physicality of the planning. These parties were not your typical birthday parties but elaborate, extravagant events that that attracted the glitterati and Illuminati and literally cost a small fortune. The details and behind the scenes stories are incredible and almost "fairy tale" like.

Many of you are aware of the embezzlement proceedings that involved Hank Lee and Richard Garriott. Well, Brad tells a little more about that affair now that some time has been served, literally.