The Newest Tops

If you’re reading this .. then you’ve survived the holidays and that’s a good thing.  January is a month to catch up on things for most of us … so let’s see what I can fill you in on.  My good friend Terry Evanswood and his crew came up to perform at the Arcada Theater in St. Charles, IL.  I’ve worked with Terry on and off stage many times over the years.  We basically grew up together and he’s one of my best friends. The show was scheduled for the second weekend of January.  First show on Saturday evening and a matinee on Sunday.  For those who don’t know what all is involved .. let me try to explain.
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Bill Pitts first performed at the Abbott Get Together in 1940, and returns this year (2010) to perform again. In honor of this historic event we thought we would publish one of his past articles for Tops magazine. He was a long time writer for Tops and this article was his “New Years” article for January, 1948. Everything in his article is as true today as it was 62 years ago, except maybe his address at the end.

Happy New Year! Another year has come and gone. No doubt Santa left many of the new tricks and illusions under the trees, bringing joy and happiness to many hearts – young and old. It’s a strange sensation that lingers with a Magic lover when opening a new package of tricks – why even the dealer’s label on the package brings thrills. We can just visualize the Abbott staff rushing around assembling orders trying to get them out in time for Christmas day.

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This month “Beating a Dead Horse: The Life and Times of Jay Marshall” found itself between a rock, a hard place, and The Magic Cafe.  A few weeks back I was very happy to find that my new tome about The Great Jasper had been nominated for Book of the Year on The Magic Cafe for 2009.

Woo Hoo!

The magic community has had wonderful things to say about the book.  The reviews have been spectacular.  Someone called it “a FANTASTIC read,” another chap said it was “the best magic bio ever written,” and still another called it “a masterpiece.”  Hell, Simon Lovelleven called it “the book of the century.”  There were many more quotes like this, and it was very heady stuff.  Every time I read one of these postings it put a smile on my face.  This lasted about ten days at which point some sage magician pointed out (and quite rightly) that “Beating a Dead Horse: The Life and Times of Jay Marshall” was technically released in 2010 although “a few” books were released in 2009.  Actually, five hundred books were released in 2009 which is often the entire run for a magic book, but it’s fair to say we had grander plans.  In any event, it was disqualified. (continue reading…)

“Give 100%”

Occasionally, I substitute for Mac King’s afternoon show at Harrah’s Las Vegas when he’s away on vacation.  It’s always a treat to revisit the room where I performed nightly in Spellbound – A Concert of Illusion for over 4 years.

When I greet the audience, I include the comment, “Mac could not be here today… he’s not feeling well and could not give you his usually 100%.  So, he sent me here to give you my best shot at the 60% level”.  It’s not meant to be a killer funny joke – I wrote the side-quip to chat up the audience before going into my show and explain to them why Mac couldn’t be present, even if it is a white lie.

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Random thoughts…lead to gold.

Okay, I have to apologize for not submitting the last couple months, but I was ill. In fact, I ended up hospitalized and everything! Looking back, I laugh about it, but my wife doesn’t think it is all that funny. I guess I was “very ill” as they kept telling me. I’m fine now though, so let’s move on!

Random Thoughts!!!!

Now, for the random thoughts I am talking about. There are so many entertainers out and about now that I think need to listen to and really pay attention to the random thoughts that may run through their heads from time to time. These random thoughts can lead to some great stuff called creativity!! Really! I have seen it happen. In fact, it happens to me all the time. I get these random thoughts and I just exercise them around a little bit and look for the funny angle. I sometimes write them down and share them with a couple of folks that I respect. Then we brainstorm a bit and every once in a while, we get a great idea. (continue reading…)

Back in the day, before computers, magic secrets were hard to find.  Sure, they were in books, but you had to make an effort and get off your butt and go to the library to find the answers.  Once you found the book, you would take the time to find a quite corner and absorb the contents, which usually involved some sort of reading on your part.  Then later on maybe showing your family and friends.

Another way to find magic was to ‘screw your courage to it’s sticking place’ and make an effort to journey to a magic shop.  This weird and wonderful place was usually filled with strange and unusual people and bizarre looking things.  If you weren’t scared, you could find books and magic tricks to buy.  But since the money you were spending was usually your own, from allowance or doing odd jobs, you really thought about your purchases.  You studied EVERYTHING in the case and made an effort figuring how much bang could you get for your buck.

If you were really brave, you’d try to befriend one of those odd looking people, called magicians, usually standing on the same side of the counter as you were.  They wouldn’t divulge any secrets to just anyone, but if you hung around them, and made an effort of your earnestness in learning magic, they might take you on as a student.   Your lessons would include much more than learning the secrets of magic, you’d learn other valuable lessons about camaraderie, confidence,  and life.
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OK, maybe our dear friend Jeff Hobson isn’t switching his specialty from magic just yet, but after his performance as Peter Raveen at a show honoring the man, he probably could pull it off!

According to Mr. Reynolds

In the January, 2010 issue of the Society of American Magicians’ magazine, M-U-M, respected magical authority Charles Reynolds offers a thought provoking article about surprise.

Here’s what surprised me: “…many illusionists do not have too many brilliant ideas.”  Now, if you’re thinking that this bold insult offended me, you do not know me very well. I could not agree more!  Bravo, Mr Reynolds.

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I guess we all survived the holidays … yet winter is far from over.  As I write we’re between two snow storms here in Chicago.  I know you’re not reading this for a weather report but, it’s been colder here the past week or so than in Juneau, Alaska.  I can’t wait to thaw out .. the Chezmobile is a mess.

It’s a new year and time to get back to business.  Although it seems that January is typically the slowest month of the year for just about all of us.  Today’s topic popped in my head for some reason .. not sure when or why.   There’s an old saying “They don’t make them like they used to.”  I find this more often than not in the “real” world and in our “magic” world as well.  I can’t tell  you how many times I’ve had to replace or repair props over the years.  Of course with use .. this is going to happen.  If you buy a quality prop that is well crafted, it should last you a good long time.  Some of us are working a lot more than others and that does take its toll.

For this reason I have duplicates of many of my props.  Not only is this for convenience but, this buys me some time.  I can pull the prop from the show to have it repaired or painted.  I have a core set of tricks that I build my show around.  My smaller show includes many Abbott’s classics such as:  the Deluxe Die Box,  Sword thru Neck,  Flexible Glass and the Hippity Hop Rabbits.  Yes, I have doubles .. and I’m sure Greg would be glad to take your order after your done reading this.
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The other night a guy had his head in his lap for my entire show. Even
though I always improvise, I didn’t question it, because the girl with the
guy seemed to be emoting a “what’s wrong with you baby?” sort of sympathy,
which made me think the guy was probably ill. Maybe he ate some bad clams,
who knows?
After the show I usually shake hands with the audience. At her request, the
“head in the lap” guy snaps a photo of me and his girl. Then, he says, “I’m
happy Suzy had a good time, but I’m not allowed to watch magic, witchcraft
is a violation of Baptist law.”

“Not a problem, I do tricks, not witchcraft, right?” Well.

“It’s not just that.” he said “.there is a Baptist prohibition of doing
anything that ‘looks’ like you’re violating Baptist law, for fear that you
may lead others down your rocky path. Then of course, there is the issue of
lying. Can you honestly say you told the whole truth, and nothing but the
truth, during the entire show?”
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Jerry Conklins’ doctor said today that the cancer has gotten into his bone marrow and is progressing thru the rest of his body.

Please send out prayers for Jerry and his family in their time of need.  Also if you would like to send cards, letters, flowers etc, send them to the address below.

Laurels of Coldwater
90 N.Michigan
Coldwater, MI 49036 room# 355
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I spoke with Senor Rai and he is recovering from the fractured back injury he suffered recently (For those who don’t know, he tripped on a tree stump/root on New Years Eve and fractured his back). He is in severe pain but he is home and asked us to notify his readers that he will probably miss this months issue. He told us that his head is still funny from the morphine and rather than risk delivering a poor article he has decided to wait till his head clears and can think more clearly. He may be able to get something toward the end of the month or early Feb.

He said he loves you all and wanted to thank you for all the support.

Our Tour of Vietnam

“Tops Magazine” and “The New Tops Magazine” often wrote columns of courage by magicians who went the extra mile. However of all the stories of courage I have found, none touched me more than this one. Why would a Magical family leave the safe confines of the U.S. to do a thirty five day tour in war time Vietnam. Read this article and you will find the answer, and I hope you find it as inspirational as I did.
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Ed. Note – Apologies to David for getting his submission up so late. Things got shuffled around on my desk, and it slipped off my radar screen. -JAS

Subject: Illusions

Holiday Illusions

It’s at about this time each year that magicians see articles and ads for Egg Bags and Changing Bags that look like Christmas stockings and Abbott’s reminds us that they continue to offer the Hippity-Hop Santas effect.  These and other holiday props are all fine with me, but what about some ideas for illusionists during the holidays?

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