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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.

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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.

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.

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/

Tagged with Benjamin Barnes, Chicago Magic Lounge, Chicago, Chicago Round Table, Bill Malone, Eugene Burger, Max Maven, Luis Carreon, Chicago Magic Roundtable.

July 4, 2024 by Scott Wells.
  • July 4, 2024
  • Scott Wells
  • Benjamin Barnes
  • Chicago Magic Lounge
  • Chicago
  • Chicago Round Table
  • Bill Malone
  • Eugene Burger
  • Max Maven
  • Luis Carreon
  • Chicago Magic Roundtable
  • Post a comment
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592: Romany - Diva of Magic - Dealing With It

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From England, Romany talks about the arc of her career that brought her from the dreams of a young girl to seeing her name in lights on the grand stage. It has not all been a “bed of roses” and she has dealt with hardships, heartbreak and mental issues. From a nine to five job with British Telephone to performing the streets then to Las Vegas and cruise ships, Romany has had quite a life. Or should I say she “is” having quite a life as she is far from finished. One thing she did finish is her book, “Spun Into Gold” which is a nice promotional piece about her life but also containing advice for young girls like her who suffer(ed) from weight gain and shape issues that can lead to bulimia.

In the early part of this week’s episode, Max Maven drops in to give us his prediction of what we might expect in 2021 as it relates to Covid and “getting back into the world.”

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In this episode, Max Maven kicks off the New Year with his prediction for 2021 regarding Covid. In the main part of this episode, Romany talks frankly about her bulimia and gives advice for young women to heed to avoid falling victim to this disorder.

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

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Romany shares her life story in this autobiography on the secret life of a female magician. Order through Amazon by clicking on this graphic and helping The Magic Word through their Affiliate Program.

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Hail and Farewell

to magicians who left us this year.

2020 was not a kind year in general, but in particular, I had more magic friends pass away this year than any other. Perhaps it was the anxiety of the pandemic or the pandemic itself, or it could be that as I’m getting older, so are my friends. Although the list below is not exhaustive, it does reflect the names of many well-known (and some lesser known) magicians, spouses and assistants who passed on in 2020. Some may not be as well-known to you, but they were my personal friends (hey, it is my blog!). If you are unfamiliar with any of these names, then it would behoove you to do a little online search of what these people have contributed to our craft. If you have someone you think was overlooked, then please post the name in the comments below on this blog.

Those whose names are highlighted with a “hot link” were featured or interviewed here on The Magic Word Podcast. You can click on their name to revisit and listen to their voices again.

Roy Walton

Bob White

Fred Wood

Orson Bean

E. Raymond Carlyle (Ed Fowler)

Chuck Lehr

Dennis W. Wilson

Joan Lawton

Norm Nielsen

Harvey Rosenthal

Roy Horn

Nick Ruggerio

Louis Falanga

Brad Jacobs

Marvyn “Mr. Electric” Roy

Ramon Galindo

John Mendoza

Ger Copper

Howie Schwarzman

James “The Amazing” Randi

Ken Klosterman

Paul Cummins

Klingsor

Greco

Chuck Baker

Bob Rossi

Charles Pecor

Roger Siegel

Jack White

Walter “Zaney” Blaney

Matthew Field

David Maas

Bev Bergeron

Al Cohen

John Star

Tagged with Romany, Max Maven, bulimia, cruise ships, The Magic Circle, magic contests, award winners.

December 31, 2020 by Scott Wells.
  • December 31, 2020
  • Scott Wells
  • Romany
  • Max Maven
  • bulimia
  • cruise ships
  • The Magic Circle
  • magic contests
  • award winners
  • Post a comment
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572: John-Ivan Palmer on "Master of Deception" - The Search for Jack Pyle

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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.

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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

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Tagged with John-Ivan Palmer, Jack Pyle, Chicago Round Table, Dick Oslund, magic history.

August 13, 2020 by Scott Wells.
  • August 13, 2020
  • Scott Wells
  • John-Ivan Palmer
  • Jack Pyle
  • Chicago Round Table
  • Dick Oslund
  • magic history
  • 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

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FISM 2025 Daily Reports from Turin, Italy We are in the middle of the World Championship of Magic in Turin, Italy. Join us and/or catch up on the daily podcast updates on FISM 2025.
#fism2025
#fismturin
#turinitaly
#italy
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A tour of the Chianti Classico region. Two wineries and a sunset Tuscan dinner followed by, of course, gellato. #chianti
From Turin to Parma where we tried the music,  cheese, prosciutto,  wine, and Gelato. #parma
Under the Tuscan sun with truffle hunting, a cooking class, and wine. #tuscany
FISM 2025 Daily Reports from Turin, Italy We are in the middle of the World Championship of Magic in Turin, Italy. Join us and/or catch up on the daily podcast updates on FISM 2025.
#fism2025
#fismturin
#turinitaly
#italy
#magic
#worldchampionshipofm
We departed for Turin and arrived in time for FISM registration, street magic, and dinner. #turino #FISM2025
Our most amazing day yet! So full of surprises, good food, great wine, and amazing magic artifacts. #cherascoitaly #museodellamagia #cherasco
A most delightful tour of the most amazing magic museum in the world. #MagicMuseum #DonSilvio #cherasco

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.

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