Here's the first report from our new editor at large Shawn Farquhar. Shawn just completed the most recent Bob Fitchworkshop in Maryland and took some time to talk not only to Bob, but to the other attendees including "Joey C - Mindreader to the Mob," Eric Leclair, Mark Phillips, Tom Paxton & John Tudor. For those somehow not familiar with Bob Fitch, he has appeared in an unbelievable twenty-seven shows on Broadway,. Most recently as Senex in "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum," (starring Whoopi Goldberg). In the Broadway production of "Annie," Bob won the Burns-Mantle Award for best featured actor in a musical for his villainous performance as Rooster. He's also performed in films, dancing with Steve Martin in "Pennies from Heaven," and more recently as a rather scary character in Stephen King's "Thinner." Bob is the "missing link" between magic and real world theatre skills for many performers and I'm honored to be able to present this chat to you on the Magic Newswire.

Direct download: MNW181f-BobFitch-01-21-2010.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:12pm EDT

One of America's great stage magicians, John Calvert segued into acting when hired to play himself in The 1943 movie "Bombardier" with Eddie Albert. As a result, John was signed to a contract with Columbia Pictures. John was the technical director on "The Silver Chalice" which was the platform for Paul Newman's acting debut. John was also the first magician to perform a big magic show in Las Vegas and on Broadway. John is a movie star, an amazing magician, an aviator, an adventurer, a yachtsman and an honored guest on this episode of the Magic Newswire's "Spirit of Magic" podcast!

Direct download: MNW120-JohnCalvert-07-09-2009.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 7:25pm EDT

If you don't know the name of Jon Racherbaumer, you should either walk away from magic or take some time to explore his influence on our art form. Jon is one of those guys that managed to connect to some of the greatests names in the modern history of magic including Ed Marlo, Eddie Fields, Orson Welles, and Senator Crandall. Given the controversies surrounding Blackpool & FISM 2010, it is also interesting to note that he was at one time blackballed by both the IBM & the SAM. Please join us for Part One of our interview with Jon Racherbaumer and learn more about lesbian bowlers, the "Magic Mafia" and how a good magician becomes controversial.

Direct download: RACHERBAUMER_REDUX.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 8:42pm EDT

Bob Cassidy is a founding member of the Psychic Entertainers' Association and one of the most colorful and influential creators of modern mentalism. His book, "The Art of Mentalism" was immediately recognized as a classic in the field when it was released and remains at the top of the "must read" book lists of the leading practioners in this area of magic. In this interview, Bob shares his thoughts on the state of modern mentalism and discusses the influence of Ted Annemann and "The Jinx" on the art. Bob is also one of the contributors to the October special supplement to Genii Magazine which celebrates the 75th anniversary of the Jinx.

Direct download: MNW150-BobCassidy-09-21-2009.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:18pm EDT

MNW154:: MARVIN MILLER

In addition to his duties as an executive on the Board of Directors of several multi-national corporations, Marvin Miller has managed to find time to write more than twenty best selling books for children and to make a significant contribution to the art of magic and mentalism. Most recently, Marvin contributed the article "When Ted Went Postal" to Genii Magazine's 75th Anniversary salute to Ted Annemann's the Jinx. Join us on this episode of the Spirit of Magic podcast for a conversation that also touches on Walter Gibson, Dunninger, Himber and modern mentalism.

Direct download: MNW154-MarvinMiller-10-01-2009.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:46pm EDT

Johnny Thompson and Pamela Hayes are best know within the world of magic as The Great Tomsoni & Co.  Johnny is widely recognized as one of the great thinkers in magic today. In spite of that, he and Pam still decided to have some fun chatting with us on This Week in Magic. Pam tells us what it is like working with the Adonis of the Las Vegas Showroon and Johnny shares the experience of tearing off Pam's dress with our resident cougar hunter.  In addition, I was totally surprised to learn that one of Johnny's teachers in High School was an magician that you should all know.  Johnny also channels Dai Vernon for a few great stories!

Direct download: MNW186b-TOMSONI-02-16-2010.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:09pm EDT

MNW337 :: HOWARD HAMBURG

On the 337th episode of the Spirit of Magic Podcast, I am thrilled and honored to welcome Howard Hamburg  to the Magic Newswire family.  Have you ever wanted to spend and hour or so with Dai Vernon,Michael Skinner,  Larry Jennings, Charlie Miller, JC Wagner, Tony Giorgio, Francis Carlyle or any of the legends of magic that preceded this generation? If so, I am more than happy to get you one step closer o that goal by bringing you this interview with Howard.  You are about to hear stories about many of the people that we idolize in magic today from an underground card magician that was an intimate of them all. As we launch this episode, I am also very happy to announce that the Magic Newswire's "Spirit of Magic" podcast has now exceeded Two Million Downloads since we first began tracking such things in March of 2008. Thank you so much for this endorsement of what I do. When I first began recording these conversations, I never imagined where it would take me and I cannot that you, the listeners, enough for the emails, donations and downloads. I more than justifies this small contribution to our art that I make by producing these interviews. Again, from the bottom of my heart, I thank you. 

Direct download: MNW337____HOWARD_HAMBURG.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:36pm EDT

MNW183-MICHAEL FINNEY

My guest on this episode of the "Spirit of Magic" podcast is comedy magician and February 2010 Genii cover-boy Michael Finney. Michael talks about hs unique path to discovering magic as a career and how he developed the personality that works so well for him on stage. Michael also reflects on some of the people that influenced him over the years including Charlie Miller, Dai Vernon, Carl Ballantine, Karrell Fox Johnny Thompson & Billy McComb. If you've ever wondered if a kidnapping could lead to a career in magic, then you'll be very interested in what Michael has to say.

Direct download: MNW183-MichaelFinney-01-29-2010.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:09pm EDT

MNW115 :: WAYNE HOUCHIN

Wayne Houchin has been creating magic since trying to duplicate the illusions of David Copperfield with cardboard boxes in his family's living room. He went on to stage a straight jacket escape while hanging from a crane in order to promote his first series of shows at the age of sixteen. In 2003, an underground tape of Wayne's original magic was seen by acclaimed mentalist Banachek who immediately recognized Wayne's potential. While consulting for the first season of Criss Angel : Mindfreak, Banachek suggested that Wayne be brough on to assist in the production of several of his original effects. In 2007 Houchin, Jonathan Bayme, Chris Kenner, B.J. Bueno, and Dana Hocking formerd Theory 11, a new online entity devoted to the advancement of the art of magic. Today, Wayne is releasing his latest project, "The Art of Magic" as a DVD or online download. Wayne joins us on the Magic Newswire's Spirit of Magic podcast to discuss his philosophy and thoughts on magic today.

Direct download: MNW115-WayneHouchin-06-11-2009.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:43am EDT

MNW336 :: CHARLIE MILLER

Seconds, bottoms, the pass, Malini, Vernon and so much more. Charlie Miller is one of those name tossed around in the context of modern magic that I feel most f the community knows too little about.  I hope that this conversation with some of his closest friends does something to rectify that.  Our good friend Johnny Thompson is joined by two other legends in magic, Harry Riser and Bob White. 

Direct download: MNW336____CHARLIE_MILLER.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:40pm EDT