826 - Mike Miller - Talent Booker

More than a magician, Mike Miller, Past National President of the S.A.M., also books talent for many magic conventions including the S.A.M. convention, Abbott’s Get Together, Super Sunday, and many others. He scours the world looking for unique acts to book. He has a good eye for spotting up-and-coming performers before they “hit it big” on the international scene. The best way to be seen by Mike is by competing and performing in other magic conventions. For several years, Mike also booked acts for a multi-city tour of China. Today he regularly performs at the Smoke & Mirrors Theater in Philadelphia while still searching for convention acts. As a result of his untiring efforts in helping magicians around the world, the Academy of Magical Arts will present a Special Fellowship to him at the awards banquet on May 17, 2024.

If you are more of a visual person, then perhaps you might enjoy watching our interaction during our Zoom conversation.

In this episode, Mike Miller talks about his career as a talent booker and how Hank Moorehouse shaped his life. He talks about how he goes about finding unique acts and how he learned to be a stage manager, too.

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419: 2018 Obie's F.F.F.F. Day Two

Thursday, April 26
10:00-5:00 Registration open (closed during lectures and shows)
10:00 Dealers’ Room opens (closed during lectures and shows)
10:00-11:00 4F Shop open
11:00 Edouard Boulanger Lecture
12:30 Lunch: on your own
1:30 2nd Show: Friends Old & New (MC: Gary Morton)
3:30 3rd Show: Magical Moments (MC: Joe M. Turner)
5:30 Supper: on your own
7:00-7:45 4F Shop is open
8:00 Pit Hartling Lecture
10:30 Hospitality Suite (Crystal Room) opens -- Free Donuts, Coffee, Soda
12:00 Dealers’ Room closes

Time stamps for this podcast:

00:00:17 - Friend of The Magic Word, Terry Greenwood, talks about this convention and we review yesterday's gala.

00:04:39 -Rick Wilcox and Erick Olson chat about their respective magic theaters, plus their different perspectives of this convention...this is Erick's first time here and Rick has been here 17 times.

00:13:11 - Denis Behr, from Munich Germany, talks about his recent award from the Academy of Magical Arts

00:19:20 - Glenn Brown is on the Board of Directors of Obie's 4F convention and he puts together the PDF eBook (electronic program) and acts as a registration person.

00:26:30 - Past National President of the S.A.M., Brad Jacobs, tells us about upcoming S.A>M. conventions and why he attends this one, too.

00:30:57 - Obie O'Brien, the "Head Forker", talks about some of the history of this convention.

00:49:53 - Rocco Silano, last year's Guest of Honor. talks about what makes this convention so special to him. And next year's Guest of Honor, Mike Powers, stops by for a brief chat, too.

01:00:11 - Bob Little talks about being the Guest of Honor for the recent S.A.M> Parent Assembly "Salute to Magic"

01:07:06 - Ricky Smith and Steve Himmel are a couple of the "young Turks" who talk about this convention plus Ricky talks about working with Bill Kalush.

172: Part 5 - My Week at The Castle 2014

In this final installment from My Week at The Castle, we wrap up by giving blood...literally. The Magic Castle became "Castle Dracula" (my own moniker) where you left your blood. It was the first Red Cross blood donation drive at The Magic Castle. This was spurred by Paul Green who has been experiencing health issues that frequently require blood transfusions. I just came in for lunch but got so much more by giving back a little of myself. There were 31 people who gave the gift of life. Please consider donating in your community. The life you save may be someone you love.

While at the Castle this day, I ran into and chatted with Irene Larsen, matriarch of the Magic Castle and the International Ambassador of The Magic Castle. After lunch, I went next door to talk with Dale Hindman, Executive Director of Milt Larsen Enterprises, who helped unravel the mystery (to me) of the difference between the Academy of Magical Arts and the Magic Castle.

Back at the Castle after my last show of the evening, I sat down with President Bill Clinton impersonator and magician, Tim Smallwood. He has a unique act and character that takes him across the country where he performs magic and makes guest "celebrity" appearances. Later that evening I ran into Ray Kosby, former member of The Magic Castle Juniors, who talks about that organization and the early years. And to wrap up the night and this podcast, Jonathan Pendragon and his wife, West, talk about their new show and lives together.

Time stamps for this podcast:

00:03:32 - Fellow corporate entertainer, Paul Green, is still experiencing some exhaustion due to his illness, but it doesn't deter his positive attitude. He is an obvious advocate of donating blood and organs plus t importance of giving your time to your community.

00:08:1 - Irene Larsen, The Magic Castle Ambassador, talks about some of the interesting people she has met and some of her memorable magic conventions she has attended.

00:12:18 - Dale Hindman, Executive Director for Milt Larsen Enterprises, talks about the full length feature film that is currently in production; licensing "The Magic Castle" brand; how to donate magic to The Magic Castle; the musical "Pizzazz"; the future of"It's Magic" shows; the succession of Castle Board and Director members; and, more.

00:20:49 - Tim Smallwood has been a magician for a long time, but once President Bill Clinton came into the public life, Tim's life changed. He has a resemblance to the President which propelled him in a completely different direction and opportunities for him to perform and meet new clients. However, it didn't just happen overnight. He pursued it with agents plus he tells and interesting story about "nearly" meeting the real President. But his comedy magic shows take him all across the country where he performs straight magic followed by a patriotic conclusion as a magical Bill Clinton.

00:28:53 - Ray Kosby, former member of the Magic Castle Juniors Society, talks about how he got into the group and how he moved from stage to close-up. He also talks about some of the Long Beach Mystics who were part of the Juniors Society. He also talks about the first trick that got him "hooked" in magic...the Red Snapper. He also talks about and recommends books for magic neophytes. He also talks about some of the tricks he has published over the years.

00:42:45 - Jonathan Pendragon and his wife, West, talk about the "new" direction his act has taken and how West is incorporated in the performance. West also tells a story about how Jonathan protected her by inserting himself into a dangerous situation and defending her from harm, thus exemplifying Jonathan's true loving and protective nature.

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.