What an remarkable assembly of fantastic people who have lovingly paid tribute to those who inspired us! My list is compiled more of people who have inspired me by allowing me to spend some time with them than those whose books and video I've read and watched. You may not recognize a name or two but they've made a big impact on the way I think about magic.

- Mark Wilson: First magic I ever saw on TV in Houston, Texas, on his first TV show, before getting picked up nationally. He very kindly confirmed for me what a gentleman I always thought he was when we talked about that early TV show at the Castle.

- Mark Jenest: Innovative, creative and funny! Taught me how to think and how to be funny and magical without being annoying.

- Dorian Rhodell: A patient teacher. A master mechanic. A very nice guy as well!

- Rich Hurley: A great friend and an inspiration on how to live life while dealing with all the crazy stuff that comes our way. He re-awakened my interest in magic and got me to join the Magic Castle.

- Dr. Bill Courtright: Not only is he always there as a friend but makes me laugh and stimulates new ways of approaching magic when I'm stuck in a rut.

- Chris Smith: Another great friend who has been a terrific source of information and inspiration to be creative. Another nut who makes me laugh!!

- Dean Dill: The nicest, most amazing, creative and supportive magic person I've ever met! I've learned a TON from Dean.

- Monte Smith: What a gentleman! A genuinely warm, supportive man. He also has a pretty cool system for clothing management!

- Brian Campbell: This fellow was the first to hire me as a restaurant magician. I had done balloons before but never just magic. I learned a lot about what not to do as a magician from Brian.

- Brian Ochab: A great friend and fun guy to hang around with. He is also a truly creative thinker and keeps me honest when it comes to magic.

Stuart Judah
Larry Pringle
Paul Swinford
Slydini
Cellini
Malini
Chris Kenner
Homer Liwag
Mike Close
Albert Goshman

Frank Garcia
Lou Lancaster
Cellini
Slydini
Harry Lorayne
Michael Ammar
Darwin Ortiz
Juan Tamariz
Rene Levand
David Roth

David Copperfield: (of course)

Bill Malone: Besides being funny as hell and being very entertaining, I was in shock
when I Sam the Bellhop for the first time on t.v.

David Roth: Unbelievable coin magic

Michael Ammar: Great theory and presentation of magic

John Kingry: The first magician that performed for me in real life that totally
blew me away

Daryl: My first set of card magic dvd's, learned alot

Greg Wilson: Very comfortable around a camera, I strive to be that comfortable
someday

Martin Nash: for his amazing technical ability with cards

Dia Vernon: nuff said

Guy Hollingworth: For starting me on my craze of torn and restored card effects.

Roger Klause: for his amazing creations

Only Pablo Leal and Cesar Munoz listed Rene Lavand. He is up there with Vernon, Slydidi, Tamariz, Roth, Lorayne, Elmsley, Bobo and Tarbell.

Craig

In no particular order:

Blaine C Harris - magic shop owner extraordinaire and all around very cool guy

Eugene Burger - how to make a lot of magic with just a little

Docc Hilford - always be promoting and closing

Bob Fayard - close friend & the one who actually got me performing for real people

Jeff McBride - "flight time" is important

Christian Chelman - for making it real

Don Alan - thank you for your chop cup routine

Gazzo - okay, he's a busker, but he was a MAJOR influence in many aspects of magic

Uncle Ziggy - for pulling that quarter out of my ear and making it vanish

Slydini - saw him on some Dick Cavett show special and have never been the same

Frank Garcia
Don Alan
Michael Ammar
Daryl
Albert Goshman
Karrell Fox
Eugene Berger
J.B Bobo
Rene'Levand
Ron Wilson
Mark Wilson
Sid Fleischman
Darwin Ortiz

I know it is more then ten,and I'll probably think of a few more.

Well...my inspiration comes from way different place. Not from my field at all.

The list starts with Michael Jackson and ends with Bill Gates

No type of order:

David Copperfield
Jeff McBride
Doug Henning
Albert Goshman
Mark Wilson
Daryl
Harry Houdini
Blackstone, Jr.
Marshal Brodien
Patrick Page

Before learning any magic it would be El Mago Lorjia a colombian magician. I don't know if I spelled that right. But once I began to learn it would have to be Mark Wilson, Paul Harris and Doc Eason.

Seeing Al Goshman do the salt & pepper shakers
Discovering Vernon thru the "Stars of Magic" book
Seeing Sydini on an old tv show when I was a kid
Getting "John Scarne on Card Tricks" when I was 9 years old
Ricky Jay for his style
John Carney for his
David Roth for really getting me into coins
Michael Ammar, a great teacher
Whit Hayden and the School for Scoundrels
(I wish I had seen Malini, T. Nelson Downs, Fred Kaps and John Ramsey)

Dai vernon rules
john ramsay
Barry Taylor
Tommy wonder
Juan Tamariz
T.j. ya punk

Cellini, he taught me how to be free

Although I've studied (maybe too strong a word) the works of many of those listed, the person with whom I've personally sat is Jon Rocherbaumer. I didn't see his name on this list.

You probably won't. Jon has influenced many of us, but mainly by bringing the works of other people to us. It's a thankless task, really. I'm glad that you have brought his name up.

Jon is, for most of us, a conduit rather than a source. But his work is really very valuable. I hope I can spend some time with him in the future. The small amount that I have spent with him has been very worthwhile, but that happened long after I was set in my ways.

You are, indeed, fortunate.

Dan Tong
Albert Goshman
Derreck Dingle
Harry Lorayne
Frank Garcia
Walter Gibson
Martin Nash
Al Snyder
Ed Marlo
Larry Jennings

These are the ones that inspired me when I started, and still inspire me today.
Too bad I was limited to 10 or Vernon might have made the list as would Don Alan.
Heck, why not list my top 15.
11. Tony Slydini
12. Irve Weiner
13 Don Allan
14. Bill Tar
15. Dai Vernon


Tony

That really made a difference in how I perform? Only three:

Dai Vernon
John Mendoza
Paul Harris

First magician to teach me how to use a thumb tip, back in the 1970's:

Ed Sparrow


Douglas M.

Evildan , what does that mean...gazzo, ok hes a busker...what, that's a BAD thing?

Too many to list... But I would start with:

Roger Klause
Harry Lorayne
Don Alan
Larry Jennings
and Bill Palmer (for teaching me a card trick many years ago that I use to this day, Thanks Bill!)