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Magicjg Elite user 477 Posts |
In the June edition of Magic Magazine there was an article on one of my favorite magicians Paul Harris. This article touched me in a few ways and really got me thinking. Before I tell you how I think a bit of background information on me is appropriate.
I first became interested in magic when I was 12 years old. My father and I made a trip out to Venis Beach in L.A.. While there a homeless gentleman approached us. Holding a cigarette he waved his hands and it was gone. Soon enough he brought it back. It was by far the most amazing thing I have ever seen. Quickly I was hooked. From that point on I read everything I could get my hands on. The Royal Road to Card Magic became my sleeping partner for the next year. Every chance I found I would try a trick on someone. At the same time my older had a love for magic also. About the time I was a freshman in High School David Blaine’s street magic came out. I was hooked. I researched on David Blaine, Magic, cards, anything that would give me results. Soon enough I came across three books. The Art of Astonishment by Paul Harris. When I received the first volume I did was every beginner does. I tried every trick and skipped the ones that seemed to hard Frustrated the book went onto my shelf for later reading. Years passed, I was extremely athletic playing every sport you could think of. Magic also joined the Art of Astonishment book. I would try a trick here and there, but not like I wanted to. My senior in High School I decided to take another look at the AOA. To my surprised I understood more, and I found why some of these tricks had such impact. They weren’t just “hey pick a card” type tricks. They were approach someone like your just a stranger that happens to know magic and amaze the edited out of them tricks. I graduated and went to college to a division one college to play football and run track. My older brother was not a full-time magician. Since I was and I’m still not much of a drinker I performed at all of the big parties on campus. Imagine drunk people grabbing cards, coins and thread. I learned quick what worked and what doesn’t. The other two volumes of AOA quickly came into my repertoire. After there years of running track I decided that my heart wasn’t in it anymore. I wanted to perform magic. Every minute of my day I wanted to perform magic. My brother quickly became one of the top magicians in Branson Missouri around the time I realized I loved magic so much. I then started to perform as a full-time magician performing at birthday parties, school functions, coporate functions, everything you can think of. Ok, now that that’s out of the way. Believe me it as some sort of reference to the article I read. Ok, after that short history lesson, lets begin with today. I just returned from visiting my older brother in Branson. It’s a 13 hour drive so I had much time to reflect on my time there. The biggest thing that stand out in my mind is the article I read. Every time I visit Branson Missouri I always stop in to “It’s Magic” magic shop. I show the kids working there a few things and I always buy a few things. This time there I asked the working magician if they happened to carry magic magazine. He went into the back and came out with a copy. On the cover……… Paul Harris. I have always been a huge fan of his work and I figured the article would be just as good. I quickly went home and began reading the article. For those of you that haven’t read the article, I will give you a quick summary. The article mostly describes the life of Paul Harris. It begins with his life story. How many people in his family and how he grew up. While describing all of these things it jumps back and forth about his life story and the meeting that the editor( I believe Eric Meid) had while writing the article. It progresses through his life, explaining how he grew an interest in magic, where he has worked and his impact on the magic world. As the story goes on a segment of his life is explained. Paul sits down one night in his comfortable apartment and flips the T.V. on. A news flash comes on and describes a wild fire not far from him. The news anchor explains that there is nothing to worry about. Paul thinks to himself “if I had to pack everything I owned or needed into one suitcase and jump in my car now and leave, what would it be?” Soon enough a knocked on the door his heard. A neighbor tells him that the fire has spread and they have to leave immediately. Paul actually has to pack everything he owns into one suitcase and leave. His entire apartment complex burns down and he is left with nothing. From that point on he decides that he doesn’t need those material possessions. We don’t own things, things own us. He then begins traveling with just the things he needs to survive and of course uses what money he has for food. Or is that really needed? He begins to experiment with this idea. Leaving his wallet at a hotel room or place he is staying at he ventures out to see if he really needs money. Still writing here and there to make ends meet he comes up with an idea. What if he took a large sum of money, not necessarily all of it but large enough to make a difference, and gives it to a random person. What type of reaction would they have? He decides to jump into the first cab he can find and he will give 20,000 ( I don’t have the article in front of me but I’m sure this is right) to the cab driver. He jumps into a cab and begins talking to the cab driver. The cab driver begins to tell him about his handicapped son. The driver was forced to quite his job as an artist to support his family. When Paul hands over the money an emotional breakdown occurs. As the article progresses you get a feeling of how Paul is. There is a segment where it begins to rain and Paul continues to walk. Eric makes some sort of comment about why he is still walking. Pauls comment “ what is going to happen to me? Im just going to get wet”. After I read this article I made my way with my girlfriend down to the Landing in Branson( A long strip of shopping centers). Doing what woman do best, my girlfriend made her way to a few stores while I sat outside. Directly beside me was a younger man juggling. I sat by myself, watching this not so good juggler while reflecting on what I had just read. Slowly the sky begins to darken. I can see people running for cover and the outside shops closing. But still this man continues to juggle. Usually when a storm begins like such, I would be the first to run for cover. Not this time though. It began pouring out and I sat still. In the large square where hundreds of performers perform, only the juggler and I remain. The thoughts in my head “I’m just going to get wet”. I then began talking to him, asking him questions, where he is from, what he does for a living and so on. His reply “ this is for fun, I enjoy being down here entertaining people. I then did something I have never done before. I reached inside my wallet to give him a tip. Months before I had made sure to budget my money, leaving me enough to survive and take this vacation. I had five one dollar bills and a fifty in my wallet. With ought even thinking I put the fifty into his tip cup and walked away. I had honestly figured a few things out from reading this article, sitting in the rain, and handing over money that would have surely benefited me. As you can see from my short history of my life, I have always tired to be in the lime light. Playing the sports that everyone else thought I was good at. Earning money to buy myself things I really don’t need. I finally found someone that thinks the way I do. I have always told people that I do what I want and act the way that I want to. But finally, I have found the right path to do this. After realizing that I want to live at my own pace, a creative wave took over. The drive home from Branson was 13 hours, like I stated above. Suddenly ideas were pouring out of me. I have always been so busy to think of ways to express MY magic. For once I was doing it. Immediately I pulled over and bought a notebook and tried to write down all of my thoughts. Good ideas, bad ideas, everything. The enjoyment I received from seeing an amateur magician in the rain receive a very large tip has stuck with me. I’m not suggesting that I will give out large sums of money like Paul has. But instead of asking anyone just to pick a card, I am going to shoot straight for there emotions. The basic reason for this reply to magic’s article is to summarize what I have learned and hopefully pass something on to all beginning magicians. If you want to perform as a hobbyist, do so. But the minute you decide to make it a living, prepare to live it. In my head I get very offended when someone thinks of me as just a child’s performer. There is nothing wrong with performing for children, I do it here and there. But when you are at a bar, pouring your heart into what you do and you hear” wow my kids will really like this” while trying to get rid of you, it tends to bother you. Do not become a carbon copy of the most popular performer at the time. Take there influences and turn them into your own style. Instead of directly repeating every word that Criss Angel or David Blaine says, play with it and change it. And try to effect your audience in the deepest way possible. Don’t look at yourself as someone that does card tricks. Look at yourself as someone that may change a bad day into a good one. |
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closeupcardician Special user Justin Teeman Moore, OK 602 Posts |
This was a great article indeed.
"Magic as art cannot live without love. Love of some kind. There are novels without love, other arts without love. But there can be no magic without love." - Rodney Reyes
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Mark Williams Special user Las Vegas, Nevada 513 Posts |
Jason, I'm glad to hear you enjoyed reading the article about Paul Harris.
I'm fortunate enough to be around Paul quite often. He hangs out with us here in Las Vegas and I can tell you...Paul is a down to Earth kinda guy. He is extremely giving and a soft spoken individual. He has influenced many performers, including myself. Next time I see him, I'll let Paul know you are one of his many fans.
"Once is Magic!! Twice is an Education!!"
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mrunge Inner circle Charleston, SC 3716 Posts |
Magicjg, I agree with your post and especially the last two sentences. To me, that is what magic is all about.
Mark. |
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Pete Biro 1933 - 2018 18558 Posts |
So, who's your brother in Branson?
STAY TOONED... @ www.pete-biro.com
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DanielSkahen New user NY 64 Posts |
Great article, thanks for sharing.
- Dan Skahen
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JamesTong Eternal Order Malaysia 11213 Posts |
Thanks for sharing this great piece of work.
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acchessor Elite user Nebraska 402 Posts |
Wow, really cool article! I don't get Magic Magazine, but is there still a way for me to read the PH article?
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K_B_G Regular user 136 Posts |
Magicjg
Please get hold of me, I see you don't have a PM service available. I want to chat to you, I can relate to your story and I think we must chat. Either PM or email me Hopefully this finds you well. Kyle |
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RWhit Regular user 151 Posts |
Thanks for posting that It was a great read.. I have all of his aoa books and they are gold to me.
Richard |
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rorythegreat Veteran user Seattle, WA 393 Posts |
Great post. I unfortunately did not receive my issue of Magic for that month due to my moving. I hope to get this issue soon to read. It sounds like a great article.
My card collection
http://www.freewebs.com/rorythegreat/ |
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Pete Legend Inner circle Ireland 1401 Posts |
Savage post! Ecellent!!Really enjoyed it! I wonder has the article contined to inspire you?
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AaronishMagic Special user 635 Posts |
Great article indeed!
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RussoMagic.com Loyal user 241 Posts |
Thanks for sharing; bought a back order!
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thecardbutler New user Mexico City, Mexico 50 Posts |
Thanks for sharing, great article!
Jp |
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MagicMattMan Special user Tampa, FL 741 Posts |
Link to the Paul Harris article anywhere?
"For those who believe, no explanation is necessary; for those who do not, none will suffice." -Joseph Dunninger
"Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it."Hebrews 13:2 |
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sumedik New user 28 Posts |
Thanks for the share. The article goes very deep.
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Nestor D Special user France (Paris) 830 Posts |
Thanks, to read you felt good
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Jerry Inner circle Some where in Florida 1402 Posts |
Anyone know the issue number for this article?
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Ray Bertrand Inner circle Ottawa, Ontario 1452 Posts |
Thank you for sharing that article.
Ray
Mentalism in Ontario.
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