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The Magic Word The Magic Word

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354: Robin Leach - Lifestyles of Magicians

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Robin Leach has long been associated with his catch phrase "Champagne Dreams and Caviar Wishes" as he hosted the long running television show, "Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous"  which focused on profiling well-known celebrities and their lavish homes, cars and other materialistic details. But Robin is also a "magic fan" who clearly loves and has a deep respect for magic and he is friends with many of the local magicians. Believe it or not, he is an honorary member of The Magic Circle. He also has a rather impressive collection of magic books in his library.

I saw Robin Leach at last year's MAGIC Live! who was trying to be inconspicuous as he chatted with Stan Allen. I later asked Stan about Robin's association with magic which led to this podcast. As a long time resident of Las Vegas and immersed in the lifestyles of local celebrities, Robin has a unique perspective on the history and evolution of the magic scene. I felt that he would make a perfect guest for the podcast to hear an "outsiders" perspective of magic, magicians, and the role they have played in making Las Vegas what it is today. I was not disappointed.

Today at age 75 his life hasn't slowed down. I was lucky to get an hour and a half of his time during the week I was in Las Vegas because of his tremendously busy schedule including his weekly vlog (video log) on You Tube, LuxeVegas.

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Our discussion opens with Robin talking about making and enjoying a "proper" cup of tea. He then talks about his passion for magic and how he believes it needs to have a much higher ranking among the performing arts. He then chats about having been a guest of Bob Harbin and becoming an honorary member of The Magic Circle. He then goes on to talk about his favorite magician, Bill Malone. He also enjoyed watching Ricky Jay live in his Broadway performance, "Ricky Jay and His 52 Assistants".

He then talks about the evolution of magic on the Las Vegas "Strip" including from Norm Neilsen, Channing Pollock, Siegfried and Roy, Lance Burton, David Copperfield to Penn & Teller, Criss Angel and Amazing Jonathan to the newest show on the Strip, Jarrett & Raja. Although he sings the praises of many magicians, he is not a fan of hypnotists, and he also has advice for Mac King and Xavier Mortimer. Ultimately, he believes there are too many magicians in Las Vegas today though the art of magic still survives. He then shifts to talking about how hard it is to work in New York City but Monday Night Magic has proved to be the exception.

He concludes by giving us his three "D's" of show business: Dedication, Discipline and Diligence.

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. Remember, you can download it through the iTunes store, too. See the preview page by Clicking Here

For more information on this and the other Nick Trost books in this series, please visit Steve Bryant's  Little Egypt Magic, March 2017 edition.

Tagged with Robin Leach, Las Vegas, Bill Malone, Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous, Robert Harbin, Ricky Jay, Criss Angel, Siegfried and Roy, Norm Neilsen, Tommy Cooper, Mac King, Lance Burton, David Blaine, Jarrett and Raja, David Copperfield, Franz Harary, Michael Chaut, Penn & Teller, Monday Night Magic, Peter Samelson, Jamy Ian Swiss, Todd Robbins.

April 27, 2017 by Scott Wells.
  • April 27, 2017
  • Scott Wells
  • Robin Leach
  • Las Vegas
  • Bill Malone
  • Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous
  • Robert Harbin
  • Ricky Jay
  • Criss Angel
  • Siegfried and Roy
  • Norm Neilsen
  • Tommy Cooper
  • Mac King
  • Lance Burton
  • David Blaine
  • Jarrett and Raja
  • David Copperfield
  • Franz Harary
  • Michael Chaut
  • Penn & Teller
  • Monday Night Magic
  • Peter Samelson
  • Jamy Ian Swiss
  • Todd Robbins
  • Post a comment
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353: Jarrett and Raja - New Kids on the Strip

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Jarrett and Raja have been in Las Vegas since 2000 and have finally made it into their own showroom. They just opened at the Hooter's Casino Hotel on March 24, 2017 with their show, "Jarrett & Raja - Magician vs. Maestro Dinner Show" in their own Jarrett & Raja Showroom. They have appeared on "America's Got Talent (sic)" as have many other magicians and we have talked with those others about their experience. But Jarrett and Raja have also appeared on "Shark Tank" where they tried to get an investor to underwrite their Las Vegas show. Spoiler alert...they didn't get a shark, but there was an unexpected and pleasantly outstanding outcome.

This conversation took place in their Las Vegas warehouse during the second week of February, a full month before they opened at the Hooter's Casino Hotel, so they were still relaxed yet very excited about their upcoming show.

Jarrett & Raja appear in featured spot on the hit TV show "Shark Tank".

Jarrett and Raja opened their new Las Vegas show in Hooter's Casino Hotel on March 24, 2017. But before the curtains were first opened, they gave us a sneak peek at their warehouse and what is going on there. Be sure to hear our chat on the podcast on https://www.themagicwordpodcast.com

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Jarrett and Raja have some great stories telling how they performed in Asia before they found their home in Las Vegas. Then they talked about their first showroom that had a quick opening and closing. They also talk about their experience with preparing to appear on "Shark Tank" plus all the problems they had right up to the last minutes of turning on the cameras.

They also talk about the new direction Hooter's is going to promote family entertainment and how their "family friendly" show fits with their new marketing strategy.

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. Remember, you can download it through the iTunes store, too. See the preview page by Clicking Here

For more information on this and the other Nick Trost books in this series, please visit Steve Bryant's  Little Egypt Magic, March 2017 edition.

Tagged with Jarrett and Raja, Hooter's Casino Hotel, Las Vegas, magician and piano, Johnny Thompson, Teller.

April 20, 2017 by Scott Wells.
  • April 20, 2017
  • Scott Wells
  • Jarrett and Raja
  • Hooter's Casino Hotel
  • Las Vegas
  • magician and piano
  • Johnny Thompson
  • Teller
  • Post a comment
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352: Geno Munari and Houdini in Las Vegas

Geno Munari, owner and proprietor of Houdini's Magic shop, is a successful entrepreneur who has permeated so many corners of our art that many may not know his full reach. From publishing to creating to manufacturing to marketing to radio to...well, the list goes on and on.

Geno is a rather reclusive individual preferring his anonymity and staying out of the spotlight (in fact, he preferred that I not take a photo of him), but this week we explore the life of this fascinating man and his development into one of the "lesser known" titans of our industry. Before our chat, Geno took me on a tour of his headquarters but I was not allowed to record a video of the interior. But suffice it to say that this is quite an impressive operation complete with a workshop, warehouse, several printing presses, offices, and even a full-functioning, 24/7 radio studio, KIYQ which broadcasts not only to the downtown Las Vegas area, but also online (where you can listen by Clicking Here), and of course, a complete brick-and-mortar magic shop.

With this podcast, I hope to shine a light on Geno and one Houdini's so that you have a fuller appreciation of the magnitude and scope of his acumen and business.

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Geno talks about his good friend, Jimmy Grippo, and the documentary he is working on and the book he published, "The Magic of Jimmy Grippo" which covers many of the routines Jimmy wanted to teach while protecting his "pet" effects. I found it interesting that Union Boss, Jimmy Hoffa, was so impressed with the magic of Jimmy Grippo that he planned to build a casino for him to work. He talked about the history of his work in gaming and what lead to the development of Houdini's.

He has strong beliefs about brick-and-mortar magic shops and why he is still in business. He also talked about how he came to use and trademark "Houdini's" and his relationship with Sid Radner.. Towards the end of this podcast, Geno talks about a new movie that revives the Kennedy assassination conspiracy theory. Very interesting revelations and updates.

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. Remember, you can download it through the iTunes store, too. See the preview page by Clicking Here

Click the banner above to visit Houdini's Magic Shop online!

Click the banner above to visit Houdini's Magic Shop online!

Tagged with Geno Munari, Houdini's Magic, Jimmy Grippo, Daniel Cros, Jimmy Hoffa, Las Vegas, Houdini, Sid Radner, John F. Kennedy, Kennedy assasination, Jack Ruby.

April 13, 2017 by Scott Wells.
  • April 13, 2017
  • Scott Wells
  • Geno Munari
  • Houdini's Magic
  • Jimmy Grippo
  • Daniel Cros
  • Jimmy Hoffa
  • Las Vegas
  • Houdini
  • Sid Radner
  • John F. Kennedy
  • Kennedy assasination
  • Jack Ruby
  • Post a comment
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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Livin' it up in Las Vegas at the Magic Collector Expo. #magiccollectorexpo2025 #davidcopperfield #jeffmcbride #charlesgreeneiii
Join us for our very special 900th podcast episode this week featuring @dansperry who is universally known in the magic community having performed with The Illusionists and often appearing on television plus casinos, theaters, and stages around the w
Daily reports from the 4F convention in Buffalo,  New York.  The original close-up magic convention, invitation only, with some of the best close-up workers in the world. #ffff #fechtersfingerflickingfrolic #ffff2025 #cheektowaga #magicwordpodcast #m
Keith Fields and Lady Sarah - And the Winner is... I.B.M. co-chair of the Contest Committee, Keith Fields and his wife, the Lady Sarah, provide advice, suggestions, and reasons for entering contests. They also talk about their “Magic Soiree&rdq
David DaVinci - Vitruvian Magician - Thrillusionist, David DaVinci, has reinvented the classic style stage magician into a thrilling superstar of the stage. #illusionist #birds #birdmagic #magician #thrillusionist #parrots #ringling @thrillusionist
R. Paul Wilson - Another Uncanny Scot - From Glasgow, Scotland, R. Paul Wilson is a noted filmmaker and expert at the card table. He has appeared in many TV shows and consulted on major films both in the U.K. and in the U.S.A. #film #filmmaker #docum
Livin' it up in Las Vegas at the Magic Collector Expo. #magiccollectorexpo2025 #davidcopperfield #jeffmcbride #charlesgreeneiii Join us for our very special 900th podcast episode this week featuring @dansperry who is universally known in the magic community having performed with The Illusionists and often appearing on television plus casinos, theaters, and stages around the w Daily reports from the 4F convention in Buffalo,  New York.  The original close-up magic convention, invitation only, with some of the best close-up workers in the world. #ffff #fechtersfingerflickingfrolic #ffff2025 #cheektowaga #magicwordpodcast #m Keith Fields and Lady Sarah - And the Winner is... I.B.M. co-chair of the Contest Committee, Keith Fields and his wife, the Lady Sarah, provide advice, suggestions, and reasons for entering contests. They also talk about their “Magic Soiree&rdq
Moontower Comedy Festival: Genius + Poison Magic Week at the Hideout Coffee Shop in Austin, Texas #magic #zabrecky #derekhughes #nickdiffatte #comedy #austincomedy
David DaVinci - Vitruvian Magician - Thrillusionist, David DaVinci, has reinvented the classic style stage magician into a thrilling superstar of the stage. #illusionist #birds #birdmagic #magician #thrillusionist #parrots #ringling @thrillusionist
R. Paul Wilson - Another Uncanny Scot - From Glasgow, Scotland, R. Paul Wilson is a noted filmmaker and expert at the card table. He has appeared in many TV shows and consulted on major films both in the U.K. and in the U.S.A. #film #filmmaker #docum

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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