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John McDonald Regular user Manchester, England, UK 171 Posts |
David, just to say that it goes without saying that you are easily the most entertaining magician on the planet!
I was lucky enough to see you in Blackpool and loved every one of your performances -as did the crowd that followed you around the close up sessions especially when each of those performances were different!!! Thank you! Just wanted to tentatively ask how did you catch the magic bug and who were your magical influences and / or mentors?
Best wishes John
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Peo Olsson Inner circle Stockholm, Sweden 3260 Posts |
I Would like to know that too. And what magican's of today you are admiring.
(Can almost hear him say "Im a big fan of Dave, and that guy David Williamson, and that person who plays around with a dead racoon, and finaly the tall handsome fella that do the two cup's routine so well. Those are my favourites.") Basicly I'm kidding of course. Peo
Pictured to the left my hero and me during FISM 2006 in Stockholm.
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David Williamson V.I.P. 190 Posts |
Here's the short version of my timeline. Age 7 or 8 -magic set, early reader with Houdini story with french drop taught at the end, I'm interested. Shortly after that The Great Shepard visits my elementary school, I'm hooked. Age 10 Mom buys me Henry Hay's Amateur Magician's Handbook and I"m inspired.
1973 Mom drops me with a friend in a dairy field in Colon, MI. That's when my eyes were opened to this strange and wonderful world. I can't tell you every name that I saw but I'll never forget Neil Foster performing his Zombie Ball or Monk Watson-he had me in stiches. Gene Anderson, Karrel Fox, Duke Stern, Mullica, a young and talented Tim Wright let me follow him around. Nights around the coleman lantern with the most wonderful close-up magicians. I have no idea who they were, but I'd like to thank them for being kind to a gawky kid from Ohio. That night is one of the defining moments in my life. These strangers-from far flung places gathering around a picnic table in a dairy pasture on an August night. Sharing, laughing and performing honest to god miracles. This is what I try to recall when I perform for people-that warm magical feeling that filled me that night. Close Up card magic by Harry Lorayne was a big revelation. Also Dingle's Deceptions. I joined Ring 5 in Dayton, Ohio at the age of 15 and there I saw John Carney lecture. He was only 18 at the time but he was seasoned beyond his years. His natural talent was evident to everyone and I instantly became the president of his fan club! That lecture was another defining moment for me. I wanted to be like John Carney. His ease with the props, magic just happened effortlessly. Shortly after that Daryl came through Dayton. He blew me away-his skill-his ideas-his infectious sense of humor. I became the president of his fan club as well. I wanted to be like Daryl. Terry Rose ran a small but mighty convention in Galllion, Oh. There I met Michael Ammar. I was 17 anfd he was 20. He vanished 4 silver dollars in his bare hands with sleeves rolled up. I became the president of the Michael Ammar fan club. I wanted to be like Michael Ammar.We became friends. In Gallion I also saw Jerry Andrus, Norm Neilson and Slydini. Those hours spent with Slydini were fantastic. I've never seen anything like him before or since. I went away thinking "I want to be like Slydini." I discovered the Magi Fest in Columbus, OH. Still my favorite magical gathering. There I saw many of the greats, but the two who stand out and perhaps shaped my point of view were Jay Marshall and Albert Goshman. I just loved Goshman. For years I followed him from table to table and I was always caught up in his act. From there the list of my influences grows rapidly-my sainted mother allowed me to travel with other ring members or by bus to conventions all through my teens. I saw Darwin Ortiz (I wanted to be like him) David Roth, Roger Klause, Jim Ryan, Gary Plants...too many to list. There are more defining moments in my life which involve Paul Gertner and Ricky Jay as well as a few others. The two that come to mind right now are Del Ray...my all time favorite magician and the night I spent laughing my guts out at Mullica's bar in Atlanta. I could go on and on. Did I mention meeting Vernon or Rene Lavand? |
John McDonald Regular user Manchester, England, UK 171 Posts |
Thanks David. I look forward to reading your posts. Did you have anyone in particular who helped you with developing your sleight of hand? I guess it was talent and practice.
Best wishes John
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RonCalhoun Special user Independence, KY USA 599 Posts |
I remember going to Magi Fest in Columbus, OH and seeing this guy. He was the funniest person I had ever seen. The entire room was exhausted when he was finished. His name was David Williamson and I became the president of his fan club. I wanted to be like David Williamson.
Fact is, there is only one David Williamson. But a few hundred Williamson fan club presidents.
Founder Heroin Doesn't Care. Find us on https://www.facebook.com/heroindoesntcare
www.heroindoesntcare.com |
Laban Regular user 193 Posts |
Quote:
I could go on and on. Did I mention meeting Vernon or Rene Lavand? Man, I would LOVE to here about your experience with Vernon, in each and every single way. What did/do you think about him? Did you, by any chance, get to catch one of his interesting life stories? and what happened in that meeting? Btw - I got to say that I truely admire your work! |
Gary Plants Special user 549 Posts |
Plants says your dead meat David.....!!
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Paul Chosse V.I.P. 1955 - 2010 2389 Posts |
Look who's back from the grave - Johann Nepomuk! Don't y' all go a pickin' on David!
"You can't steal a gift..." Dizzy Gillespie
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David Williamson V.I.P. 190 Posts |
Thanks Paul! You still in Boston?
Hofzinser, you are either a tall, bald ugly guy from W.V. or you are a Zombie from Austria. Which is it? |
Gary Plants Special user 549 Posts |
I wish I was the Zombie!!!
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David Williamson V.I.P. 190 Posts |
Do you do the card stab?
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Paul Chosse V.I.P. 1955 - 2010 2389 Posts |
Hi Dave!
Alive and reasonably well in Boston, or thereabouts. Actually, Plymouth. On another note, I want you to know that I still have your first set of notes, inscribed as follows: "To Paul, thanks for the tricks with the fake dog poop! Now stop bothering me! Dave". They hang in a place of honor, available for all to view. I took the precaution of framing them, since my ex-wife had a tendency to forget to buy the fake rolls of tissue we used with the fake dog poop, and I didn't want an overly zealous magic boy to use whatever was at hand. Unfortunately they (the magic boys) resorted TO thier hands in some cases, but that is another story... Best, Paul P.S. Can I use your inscription in the advertising for my next book? Quotes from famous guys always make things sell better!
"You can't steal a gift..." Dizzy Gillespie
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Pete Biro 1933 - 2018 18558 Posts |
Reminds me... if any of you get to Dean Dill's Shoppe (in Glendale, Calif.) you gotta see the photo of David emulating Copperfield.
STAY TOONED... @ www.pete-biro.com
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Paul Chosse V.I.P. 1955 - 2010 2389 Posts |
I'm missing the connection there Pete - Tell us, please! Some of us can't afford the airfare for the haircut...
David, on a less comedic note (my last post WAS a joke, you knew that, right?)thanks for being here - that Brooks guy gets it right once in a while! You've already inspired me, and your advice, carefully considered, ought to make anyone out there a better performer. Best, Paul P.S. So you know - out of both the inscriptions I have, yours tied for all-time favorite with one from Vernon, but his is unprintable, so I really need yours! What do you say?
"You can't steal a gift..." Dizzy Gillespie
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rawdawg Special user Southern California 686 Posts |
The best part about the pictures of both David's in Dill's shoppe is that they are arranged so you see Copperfield first and then the punchline.
By the way, David Williamson is the bomb. His routines can be played both on the creep tip or large and in charge.
One time, when I was young, I botched a sleight so bad, Vernon, Marlo & Miller rolled over in their graves. But I didn't see Elmsley, probably because he was behind the others.
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Tom Frank V.I.P. industrial Strength Magic 493 Posts |
Dave,
It was fun to watch you develop into the nut job, crack pot you are today. I tell people I remember when you were an introvert. Seems like a very long time ago. Shawn Greer and I would come and watch you work at the Vernon Hotel. . . remember that place in Cincinnati. Best to you and the family. Your pal Tom Frank |
David Williamson V.I.P. 190 Posts |
Hey Tom
Is that your new shop in the background? Cool. Those were the good old days. You and Shawn were the hot shot magic wiz kids. You blew everyone away with your talent. If anyone wants to see the best SWE Shift in the world...go to Seattle. I remember screwing with Shawns head all the time. We almost convinced him to throw his cups out the 16th floor window at the Magi-Fest. Remember? |
Tom Frank V.I.P. industrial Strength Magic 493 Posts |
Dave,
That was my new shop. After a year and a half in business it disappeared. Such is life. If you have any interest in all the ugly details of what's been going on in my life visit my blog http://www.ballvase.com/tfrank/weblog/tfblog.htm I do remember the cup incident. We ended up throwing glass ashtrays out the window. The landed with such a lovely sound. You are too kind about the SWE Shift. I recently jammed with Kenner and Homer and Chris identified the problem with my shift. I need to get rid of the cock. It's an ugly tell. I am trying to eliminate it. Hard to get rid of the cock. |
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