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BAH1313 Elite user Ohio 445 Posts |
Amen Dan,
This is a great life, and the fellers who say ya cant make it, just couldn't make it. Plain and simple. They speak from experience. Their Own. But I have come to realize that there is NO SUCH THING as FREE ADVICE! What part of advice is really free? Really? I mean, if I take someone's advice about something who really pays for it or profits from it? Me, that's who! Either I listen to guys say to do this and that, and I get what I get, or, I listen to somebody try to talk me out of something that I really want to do. And then I really pay because then I have lost something more valueable than anything. That something is life's experience, and I have missed a chance to live my dream. Life is too short. Make your own decisions. Ya never know, we all may be hearing about you someday. I know you will all be hearing about me!
I am truly blessed to have a job where people are laughing all the time and everyone believes in magic....Come to think of it, I'm blessed to even have a job.
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Kozmo V.I.P. 5473 Posts |
Its interesting danny what you are saying about the $25 hat versus the $100 hat...i have and can do both....
heres a story, dante who no longer works the streets and is a GREAT street guy...we were both working royal street and we decided to have a little challenge as to who makes the most a guy who can build a 10 to 12 minute show quick and a guy who does 35 minutes and builds big...he went to one end and I went to the other...i won...3 shows in the same time he did his one..hte abiltiy to do a small show and get more than $25 is the key... the point is that having the ability to do both is a great thing because you can always have a pitch...you don't have to fight with the big acts...you can just go over there in the corner and do smaller shows and make just as much money I think that was jim riser is saying is correct...a lot of guys end up poor and sick...but it also happens to guys who work restaurants for 30 years...who do you think makes more money a day, a good street guy or a guy who does restaurants?/// if you aren't responsible in any aspect of your life you pay for it...thats just the truth and that's how it works! its amazing how we are looked at by people who don't know including magicians...that we are lower than them...that we are poor...and we cant make it anywhere else....for many its the truth but for some of us its just the opposite...i choose to be out there...i love being out there and I hope I never have to give it up...there will be a day when I can no longer go out there andits going to be a horrible day because the things that this life has givin me, the freedom to see the world, to make a great living doing exactly what I want to do...its amazing... heres how I measure my life and how I handle the bad parts of being out there...seeing all that we see...do the right thing...if my son were standing next to me would he be proud...thats how I deal with this life style.... |
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Wayne Whiting Regular user 181 Posts |
I had no idea this post would get so much discussion. Even the guys who pay all the bills took time to answer. Danny, Koz, Mario and others...thanks for your comments. They are an inspiration to me.
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ed rhodes Inner circle Rhode Island 2889 Posts |
Quote:
On 2007-05-06 23:19, Amon wrote: Sheepishly raising hand! Quote:
On 2007-05-07 10:43, Danny Hustle wrote: It is actually only my opinion, but it's based on my observations based on what I've seen in life. <Everything> is a pyramid. There are always a few exceptionally gifted who make it to the top with dozens of others struggling to make it. Not just "street performing" but any endeavor. No need to get nasty about it.
"...and if you're too afraid of goin' astray, you won't go anywhere." - Granny Weatherwax
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Danny Hustle Inner circle Boston, MA USA 2393 Posts |
Quote:
Actually, it is you that was getting nasty about it. Because you are throwing out these negative aspersions about my chosen profession with absolutely nothing to back them up. You were quite condescending in the way you chose to edit and respond to my post. When I ask you to provide something to back up your statements you have nothing. I wasn't being nasty, you just don't like being told your wrong. You do not have to be any more "gifted" to make a living as a street performer as you would have to be "gifted" to be a baker, or a fireman. You need to be smart, work hard, and save your money. It is exactly like any other profession. It is not about rising to the top and being worshiped by the multitudes. Because to be honest, fame does not equal money. There are guys you have never heard of that make more money (A LOT MORE)than most of the guys at the "top". Sometimes the Pyramid is inverted. Best, Dan- "MT is one of the reasons we started this board! I’m so sick of posts being deleted without any reason given, and by unknown people at that." - Steve Brooks Sep 7, 2001 8:38pm ©1999-2014 Daniel Denney all rights reserved. |
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Kondini Inner circle 3609 Posts |
Right on Dan,,,what amazes me is the time some professed Street Workers have on their hands (Posting here!!)My season is in full swing and what with travel, set up and performance I have very little time to tap on the pc.
Fame=cash,,,,no. Hard work = cash,,,,yes. Doing it instead of talking about it gets results,,,! Ken |
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Pokie-Poke Special user Bensalem, PA 883 Posts |
Danny, I think there is some thing to mandrake's point. but the skill you need is in handling your business. how many businesses go bust in 5 years? Working for some one else is always easer than your self.
Mandrake, I think what hurts most is some one saying "no you cant do it, because I can't." I don't think this was your intent but after reading Mr. Riser observations it is hard to take it any other way. I love the street. as do most in this part of of the Café. I know I have little skill for the business side of it so I get help.
www.pokie-poke.com
The Adventure cont... |
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ed rhodes Inner circle Rhode Island 2889 Posts |
Quote:
On 2007-05-08 08:06, Danny Hustle wrote: I don't know what I said that was <nasty.> You were the one who asked if my opinion was "just more hot air." I don't think I tried to imply that you <can't> make a living as a street magician. Obviously people like you and Gazzo and many others on this list prove that wrong. I <said> (as you are reiterating in this post) that it's very difficult. I also said, (as you are also reiterating in this post) that like all professions, it takes hard work and saving your money. (I think my first post on this thread mentioned that it didn't matter if you were making $150 hats or $150,000 an episode shooting a television series if you don't save it and invest it wisely.) <My> point was that, for all the numbers of people performing street magic, there's a relative <few> that are in fact making the <great> hats and a lot of money. This is because <every> profession (and this is <not> putting down street magic, unless I put down <every> form of industry there is) is pretty much a pyramid with a few great achievers at the top and many struggling below them. Quote:
On 2007-05-08 20:01, Pokie-Poke wrote: I certainly didn't mean to imply that "you can't make it because I can't." I <know> I'm the most medicore (sp?) magician I know. (Well, there was one at the SAM I felt slightly superior to, but I haven't seen him in awhile.) I just don't believe the "everybody can make hundred dollar hats" argument either. <Not> everyone can. It depends on <your> skill, and the venue you're working. Even Gazzo mentioned that there are spots he wouldn't play because they just wouldn't draw the crowd he needed. (I would like to see someone play Providence and see what kind of hats they draw. Most of you would do better than me, but that's not saying a lot. This crowd just doesn't get the "street performer" idea unless it's at a Waterfire, and once they light the fires, you can pretty much count that out as well!) I apologize to one and all on this thread if I implied that busking can't work. Obviously it works just fine for quite a few of you.
"...and if you're too afraid of goin' astray, you won't go anywhere." - Granny Weatherwax
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Danny Hustle Inner circle Boston, MA USA 2393 Posts |
Mandrake I have no desire to get into a circular conversation with you. Think whatever you like. You are still blowing hot air that has no basis in reality because the simple fact is that you know absolutely nothing about working the street because you have never worked the streets. That isn't being nasty, it is a statement of fact. If that offends your delicate sensibilities I apologize, it does not however change reality.
Quote: To go in a different direction for a moment I would like to point out the main reason I took offense to Jim Riser's essay. I will not argue the validity of what he said because for all I know is it may be true. What I take offense with in my opinion it belittles a great, great, man. "MT is one of the reasons we started this board! I’m so sick of posts being deleted without any reason given, and by unknown people at that." - Steve Brooks Sep 7, 2001 8:38pm ©1999-2014 Daniel Denney all rights reserved. |
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MagiUlysses Special user Kansas City 504 Posts |
Greetings and Salutations Danny,
All I can say is: Wow! Man, you wax poetic when you get wound up/passionate, and I think I'm envious that I may never meet the performer who inspired this passion in you. Several years ago, I had a rare opportunity to sit down with one of the acknowledged greats of the streets prior to a lecture. He was sitting outside of the motel having a smoke when I walked up. I recognized him, of course, and asked if he would mind some company. As he was killing time before the meeting and lecture he was amendable. Those nearly 30 minutes of affirmation and confirmation were priceless, and in that time we didn't discuss one trick but he gave me many tricks of the trade that I use to this day on stages and in the lanes of faires and festivals. Imagine getting 30 minutes of one-on-one with a guy who wrote the book on street performing! The lecture was nearly secondary, and it was great! I hear he is not in the best of health these days, which saddens me, but to have lived your life by your own measure surely has to mean something. I won't ever make my living on the streets, although I believe I could if I I got dealt that hand. And that is the secret: you can if you believe you can. If you don't believe you can, you can't. Jackie Gleason said it best: "If you have it and you know you have it, then you have it. If you have it and don't know you have it, you don't have it. If you don't have it but you think you have it, then you have it. " Danny, you got It! Thanks for the post! Joe Zeman aka The Mage Ulysses |
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kid iowa Loyal user Oklahoma 300 Posts |
Great post Danny, I printed it out and put it in the pouch with my C/B to look at before I practice.
Any man who may be asked in this century what he did to make his life worthwhile...can respond with a good deal of pride and satisfaction, "I served in the United States Navy." J.F.K.
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Bill Palmer Eternal Order Only Jonathan Townsend has more than 24314 Posts |
Danny:
One of our greats has moved to Switzerland, because that's where his wife is from, and he can get good medical care there without it breaking him financially. But he really deserves better than that, even. But it's hard to get that if you are permanently in the US. I've been lucky. I planned for the future, and I have alternate skills that I can fall back on.
"The Swatter"
Founder of CODBAMMC My Chickasaw name is "Throws Money at Cups." www.cupsandballsmuseum.com |
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Dave V Inner circle Las Vegas, NV 4824 Posts |
Quote:
On 2007-05-09 17:44, Bill Palmer wrote: I think that was the point of Mr. Riser's post. Not to berate any one magician, but to advise others to plan for their futures. It sounds pretty obvious, but for some (me, for one) it's really hard to do.
No trees were killed in the making of this message, but a large number of electrons were terribly inconvenienced.
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Wayne Whiting Regular user 181 Posts |
Danny,
I have been reading and posting on this site for about a year and I have never read anything as well written as your post referencing the street magician that Jim Riser may have been refering to. The old phrase "You can't take it within you" is mis-stated in my opinion. What you can take with you is what you have invested in the lives of others. It sounds like your acquaintance has done just that. If I could have been so lucky... |
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ed rhodes Inner circle Rhode Island 2889 Posts |
Upon rereading my contributions to this thread, I realize I used the term "hack."
This might be what Danny is annoyed by. I certainly didn't mean him or any contributor to this board. I apologize for the use of the word. (Am I going to get fired?) I was trying to show that not everyone who's out there is Gazzo (or Danny Hustle) level of performer.
"...and if you're too afraid of goin' astray, you won't go anywhere." - Granny Weatherwax
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jimmy talksalot Special user new orleans 757 Posts |
The same old story...the fight for success as a magician. I'm 40 running outta time...hah.
"SHOW BUSINESS" is show-and-business for greatness the proper dose of both I believe. I see hackers and move monkeys sometimes god bless em who show me stuff that blows my mind but they can't work as a magician but once a month...because they don't understand business or how to do a show professionally. Would we call them great magicians...I hope not. On the other hand I see business minded people who create wonderful products for us and some of them look at our art and lifestyle and only see it as they're industry....they might as well have been selling cars or time shares....but maybe they thought this was more fun. And certainly they make great money and know how to manage it better then the more artistic and less business minded of us, but would this make them a great magician? I think it could make them great businessmen. In our history we have a tradition of looking after the best interests of those who came before us -- as they looked after us and the ones before them. But some times we get a little proud of being right and forget how truly indebted we are. Some times we have to give more then we are obligated especially if one of these old guys is ready to go. And then there are those among us who unfortunately do not even fulfill their obligation...so we know they wouldn't care at all about these old guys. Any way you knew this would be long winded because of my name. One last thing the life of a street magician, well you've heard from Mr. Riser, I'm not sure if he is a street performer and we've heard mine and others...but who would be our authority? Who spent their life who touched and made greats all over the world? Who gave every thing he had for us? For his art. With all our egos who would we agree knows how to be a street performer...I know this and he saved my life... Quote:
Exactly who or what is a street magician? In my humble opinion he is a wanderer who believes he is the inheritor of all he surveys. Someone who goes from place to place with or without a settled route or destination. He is a boundary crosser; his purpose is to discover new places, meet new people, make new friends and preserve a way of life while perfecting his craft. He is a person who is both loved and envied for his way of life which appears to the untrained eye as jolly-good, and fancy-free. But in fact it is a life of unremitting toil and unfailing persistence. He must be willing to stake his future on his ability to persist no matter how hard the going gets. He must have an unshakable faith in himself and in his specialized knowledge to resist all the temptation; to buckle under the weight of society, to refuse to be herded like sheep into a pen and to be told when, where, and how long he can stay. He is the first Church of the Street Theater and claims the same rights as any religion. To stand on any street corner and gather a crowd. To say and do as he wants whenever he wishes as long as it is within the bounds of propriety and good taste. And lastly, ask for support. He is adventurous, persistent and courageous. Along with those characteristics, he has the determination to survive, the tongue to persuade, and the hand to execute any mischief called for. He is a man possessing a touch of the earth with a warm and sincere interest in his fellow human beings. His heart, soul and thoughts are those of a king. He is a man blessed with the Royal Touch. -- Cellini excerpt from "The Royal Touch" Some have talked about his clothes and his personal finances but I could never because of what he did for me...not only would I be wrong in my judgment, but I'd feel shame. And if Jim Cellini needed something from me {especially if it already belonged to him} I give it and a little more! Your pal, jimmy talksalot |
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BAH1313 Elite user Ohio 445 Posts |
Nicely put jimmy.
I am truly blessed to have a job where people are laughing all the time and everyone believes in magic....Come to think of it, I'm blessed to even have a job.
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Mario Morris Inner circle Mario Morris 2044 Posts |
Jimmy
That was so good I read it all. Mario |
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Kozmo V.I.P. 5473 Posts |
I know him better than anyone ....and to this day with all the water under the bridge I still consider him a friend and teacher and one of the very best...a man who truly knows what magic is and loves the art...who performs it as poetic as any man that has ever walked this planet
I wish him well koz |
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ed rhodes Inner circle Rhode Island 2889 Posts |
Quote:
On 2007-05-10 12:50, jimmy talksalot wrote: I'm 51! In dog years, I'm a memory!
"...and if you're too afraid of goin' astray, you won't go anywhere." - Granny Weatherwax
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