Well, it was fairly obvious to me that the poster was asking who's material (other than yours) do you use. I think most (by a wide margin) "workers" are inspired by other's creations to massage the material to suite them. I love the trick "Stranger Gallery" by John Bannon. However, I think the routine finishes much stronger by using a rainbow deck. I didn't invent "Stranger Gallery" or the Rainbow Deck. But in this discussion, I would say that it's John Bannon's "Stranger Gallery".

The sponge routine I use is heavily based on Chris Priest's "Protons". However, I used sponge stars instead of sponge balls. I load the stars on the spec's shoulder twice (ala James Brown's jam routine or Gregory Wilson's coin routine). Is it the same as Priest's routine....no....but had I not seen his routine, my sponge routine would not be what it is now. So do I call this mine? I don't think so...nor do I really care.

I combine "Dr. Daley's Last Card Trick" with Marlo's "Think, Touch, Turn" (which I first saw performed by Bill Malone). When time allows, I like to combine 3 different sandwich effects....John Bannon's "Dawn Patrol", Aaron Fisher's "Search and Destroy", and Eric Jones' "Ishkabibble sandwich" or something like that. The point is....that even though I perform these effects differently than the creator, I didn't sit at the kitchen table and map out the entire process....so I'm not comfortable saying, "It's mine".

So, to address the OP. Magicians that have influenced my work the most? Don Alan, Michael Close, John Bannon, Gregory Wilson, Carl Andrews, and others. Of the younger performers, I saw Eric Jones lecture and was completely impressed. Go see him if you can.

patrick

Now this is the question that should have been asked if the resulting fracus bothered anyone. With rare exceptions, most magicians have been influenced by the work of others. But when the question asked for the repertoire of working material as "whose" material it was, it was an honest answer that both Christopher and I gave... and after it was then suggested that we could not possibly be doing that, Carl Andrews comes on and posts basically the same thing, yet that bothered no one. Wow...

So, here I am posting to hear myself talk... AS USUAL.

I hear ya Michael...loud and clear!

Michael, I hear you. Your wise words aren't being wasted!

Michael, Christopher, Carl, and all others:
I'm not bothered at all by your responses. Sometimes it's a matter of a few degrees. I remember seeing something put out by kid using the Frixion markers. I had never had heard of the Frixion markers at that point. I loved the possibilities but didn't care for the routine as described. I did, in fact, sit down and write out plots to utilize this tool. I came up with a routine that I still use. So, even though I didn't invent the Frixion marker....or wasn't even the first person to adapt it to a magic routine, I can confidently say, "This is my routine". Again, a matter of degrees I think. There are others like that, but most of my material is a modification or transformation of someone else's ideas to fit my abilities.

Everything I do is mine except for Card To Wallet , Mullica style.
Usually I sell what I invent but there are 4 close-up routines that I'll take to the grave without tipping them.

*Deleted*
Wrong thread

Over the past year, Harry Robson's.

Over the past year, Harry Robson's.

I, like all magicians, " stand on the shoulders of giants ". I use a lot of material from a lot of people, and I don't really think about honouring the creator when I spend my time crafting my own, personal use for a principle, gimmick or sleight. If I was publishing or producing I would credit where possible as it is only right that they receive credit. But effects are my own, my routines are my own, my patter ( Sorry Christopher Lyle ! )is my own. In my opinion, the creator needed me to put the finishing touches to their work to make a great idea suit my needs.
I actually don't spend much time thinking about who's material I am performing. It is about the effect being right for me, not who invented it. No small group I can mention - just a long list of spectacular ideas that I use.

Reginald Scot.....
Source of most of my material.

:) Good one!

Got any spells to make me thinner and grow hair?

I do enjoy performing at the venues. When I started it was very amaturish (about ten years ago). I would attempt to conceal every known magic effect I had. Now I am many years ahead with greater experience. I tend to open either with industrial revelation or sanky's blackpool, then tamed card (wonder), and close with coins accross ending with a production of a jumbo coin. I keep it brief, exciting, and always involving all guests seated at the bar/table. If anyone would like to share the finer details, such as approach, engagement, leaving lasting impressions, or handling groups I am free to discuss in private messaging.

Anyone own that old Ammar VHS "Icebreakers"?

That's my whole act! Yeah Baby!