Laugh-O-Nomics | Humor in the Workplace from Motivational Speaker & Humorist Brad Montgomery » Magicians

Why Being a Magician is Cool

Brad Montgomery — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 17:12:10 +0000

How to Use Magic to Make Yourself Happy

Why is being a magician so cool? There are a few reasons, but one of my favorites is working for special people and wonderful groups.

I recently volunteered for the Jewish Family Services of Colorado and their residences at the JFS Group Home. It was just a casual deal with a couple of dozen folks. But the best part was working with the residents — awesome adults with special needs. By the looks on their faces they had a good time.

But I’m certain that I got the better deal. I was the one who felt great that night. I was the one who laughed the hardest. And I was the one who left thinking it might have been the best show in ages.

What’s my point? If you want to help yourself, help others. If you want to feel good, make others feel good. To be honest, this is a lesson I often forget. But those great people made my day.

Thanks Kids. It was an absolute pleasure.

Hey! Are YOU looking for a magician, speaker, comedian for your group? (I need a better job title!) I’d love to be your guy…. go to the contact page now.

Brad Montgomery

Colorado Magician, Magician Speaker, Fan of the JFS Group Home

Brad as a magician? Click here.

Brad as a magician speaker here.

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Being Part of Something Bigger than You

Brad Montgomery — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 00:24:03 +0000

I am a proud member of the Mile High Magician’s Society. We are a group of magicians — professional, amateurs, and simple magic fans — who meet regularly to celebrate, teach and perform magic. I’ve been a magician since I was a kid.

But I my journey didn’t really start until my mom and dad brought me — after much begging and pleading — to the magic club that met at least 40 minutes from my home. There I saw magicians of all shapes and sizes, of varying skill levels, and from very disparate backgrounds joining together to “magish.” I was hooked.

And still am. I was one of the many Colorado magicians who performed last night at a meeting of the club — and was reminded how much I like it. As I become more deeply involved in the professional speakers’ world, I’ve tended to let the magician side of me grow still.

But after last night, I’m buzzed and hooked again. One of my favorite reasons for loving this magic club is that it makes me — as a magician — feel as though I’m part of something greater than myself. Magicians have a rich and fabulous history. But so too does our Colorado magician club. And performing on the same stage (if you can call it that!) as magicians I’ve emulated, grown with, and performed with for years made me feel like I was part of something special.

My point? Find your passion, and then find a corresponding organization to join. It’ll make you feel like you’re part of a rich tradition. Are you a Magician? Then for crying out loud join a local club (Society of American Magicians or the International Brotherhood of Magicians.) Or if you’re from Colorado, by all means contact me and I’ll hook you up with our club.

Check out some (admittedly amateur) footage of the show last night below — you’ll see that we had fun. You’ll see how casual it was, and that we enjoy each other. And that we all love magic.

Cheers!
Brad Montgomery
Colorado Magician, Member of the MHMS, Part of Something Bigger

PS. Here’s the video:

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The Worst Comedian? Me at Age 20

Brad Montgomery — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 15:08:10 +0000

Folks, I’ve been speaking and performing for a long time. A very long time. Guess what: I actually:

1. Am not burnt out.

2. Still have family members that talk to me.

3. Still have that vest (I think – - or is that what I saw the kids lining the doghouse with?).

4. Still have my dignity. A little. Ok, not much.

5. I’m still learning.

See, my first full-time performing gig involved the Colorado Renaissance Festival. I was fresh-faced, on-stage, making people laugh and getting PAID! I made a whopping $30 bucks a day, plus tips, which mostly totaled to about $35/day. (OK, I didn’t say I was good, just that I got paid). Although I didn’t get rich, it was an awesome learning experience. Although working at the Renaissance Festival was often hard on my self confidence, (I considered quitting about 5 times a day) but with hindsight it was a killer experience every speaker or entertainer should have. (Though for your sake I hope you don’t have to wear the vest.)

The festival attracted people from all over Colorado, of course, but also from places all over the country. Being on stage and in front of audiences at a young age allowed me to really, really hone my craft in those early years, and it has paid off. A lot of times, when we’re young we don’t realize that what we do then can affect us 10 to 20 years down the line. I was performing and doing what I LOVE(D) to do and making money at it. (Barely…. can you say, “Brad lived with his parents!“) And doesn’t it look like I’m having a great time?

It was a tough job — 6 shows a day in 95 degree heat for the TOUGHEST audience Colorado had to offer. I was horrible, but luckily, despite all the evidence to the contrary, I didn’t understand how truly horrible I was. I can tell you this: there are techniques I use in my current comedy and humor that I KNOW were influenced by those early years working outside.

The best part of this job was that it provided instant feedback: the amount of tip money in our hat was evidence enough of our success — or in my case, failure. I knew the instant I looked in my hat after my comedy and magic show and saw 59¢ and a piece of gum that I wasn’t getting the big tips that good performers earned. I new I sucked. I knew that I had to improve fast. (Because that gum just wasn’t that filling.) Again, I knew I was weaker than the other performers, but luckily I just thought I needed to get a bit better. I don’t think my ego could have taken the real truth that I was absolutely horrible. But I did know I was bad. And that (limited) self knowledge and a desire to get better created a pretty steep learning curve.

I see WAY too many speakers, comedians and magicians who would never last in an environment like that because they have no idea about how weak their product is; they don’t know how much they suck. One show at the Renaissance Festival where 1/2 of your audience leaves and the other 1/2 gives you a 25¢ would give them the slap in the face they deserve.

Let’s admit it: most audiences today are formal enough that it feels awkward getting up as a group and leaving shouting, “You stink.” They stay in the audience whether or not the speaker is mediocre. Even in a comedy club, the audience will put up with some pretty poor comedy. That’s why that Renaissance Festival job was so great for me; it was great precisely because it was so hard and because it created that instant and negative feedback.

After performing and speaking for twenty years some of what I do feels pretty easy and natural. I’d love to tell you that my current ease with audiences is a natural extension of my “gifts.” Ha! It isn’t. It’s the product of a gazillion shows, a shocking number of were horrible failures, hundreds of embarrassing on stage disasters, and well… twenty years of getting it right.

My point: If you want to be a motivational speaker, remember to give yourself time to develop, and find a place where you can develop your material safely. And if you are looking to hire a motivational speaker, make sure your speaker has years and years and years of experience under his … er … vest.

What was your first job? Has it helped you in the profession you’re in today? Do you have an ugly vest in your closet too? Share your stories!

Are you looking for a comedian speaker for your event? Pick somebody with years of experience. Pick me. Contact my office here.

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The Best Colorado Teachers are Colorado Magicians

Brad Montgomery — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 05:00:20 +0000

I was recently speaking to a group of amazing high school students with the Skills USA organization when I happened to meet up with an old friend, Colorado Magician Michael Townsend. (We’ve been friends for ages, are both members of the Mile High Magicians Society.)

Mike is a great guy, and definitely one of the best Colorado magicians I’ve ever seen perform. (You should see this guy with a deck of cards.)

But check out what Michael told me about how he uses his magician skills in his role as a teacher: he uses his magic to “bribe” his students to get their work done. Which is a win / win for everybody.

But more than that, he uses his magician skills to connect with his students in a way that wouldn’t be possible otherwise. His students respect and admire him. And because of that, they are more willing and able to learn from him. We all know that the best teachers:

• Know their stuff.
• Are able to communicate
…. and, perhaps most importantly,
• Have a connection to their students

You can be an average teacher with just one of these three things. You can be an good teacher with two of these three skills. But to be excellent you have to have AT LEAST these three traits.

And what’s so cool about my magician pal Michael is that he makes sure he knows his stuff and is a good communicator. But, thanks to his magic “chops,” he is able to connect like very few other teachers.

I’m glad to be a magician. But mostly I’m proud to know magicians like Michael. Way to go brother!

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Girl Scouts Chop Off Own Fingers

Brad Montgomery — Fri, 23 May 2008 19:35:18 +0000

Craft Gone Wrong!!!

My wife and a pal of hers are Girl Scout troop leaders for some very cute Brownies, including our six year old.

Recently, we had a magic “unit” (do they give patches for that?) where I got to work with the troop and do some magic. After learning (and seeing) what real magicians can do, my daughter showed some magic tricks she and I had been working on, proving that kids can be magicians too. (Can you say, “Proud Papa?!”)

But then we taught them a magic trick I learned from a book years ago called the Mystic Finger. Basically, when the “magician” opens a jewelry sized box a life-like “mystic finger” is revealed. If you like, you can paint fake blood on with a Magic Marker. “Look Mom! It’s bloody!”

The afternoon was a gas. It was fun to see these sweet little girls turning themselves into a cross between magicians and gross-out-artists. And I was lucky to be part of all of that positive and fun energy.

What’s my point? Part of the reason I had so much fun is that (although it was under the guise of “teaching” them how to become Colorado magicians) what we were REALLY doing was playing.

And I had a ball. I found myself being silly. I found myself smiling and laughing. Basically, by playing with the Girl Scouts I went from being a serious grump to a pretty fun-filled guy? (I had a tough day at work that day.) So…. do you need a lift? Do YOU think you could benefit from more smiles and laughter? Of course you could.

If you want to have more fun, you have two choices:
1. Cut off your finger. Or…
2. Play. Just play.

(The second on is less messy, and won’t affect your health insurance. I’d go with that.)

Thanks Brownies! It was a hoot!

Need a magician speaker or Colorado based magician for your event? If you can’t book the brownies and their Mystic Fingers, I hope you’ll consider booking me.

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Are Magicians Artists or Paint-By-Number Fakes?

Brad Montgomery — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 23:31:26 +0000

I’m a magician and proud of it. But….

There was recently a great National Public Radio radio show about magic that I loved. Link.

In this very cool call-in show, one of the many topics they cover is whether or not magicians are artists.

I’m not sure… in many ways I think that comedy and humor is more of an art than magic. The problem with magic is that it can be a bit like “paint by numbers.” Sure, there is some skill and stick-to-it-ness that is required to finish a complicated paint-by-numbers painting. But is it really “art” to paint in the the right colors?

Don’t get me wrong… I love magic. I love magicians. And, as I pointed out, I AM a magician. (Or at least a magician speaker — I use magic tricks to in my keynote speeches all the time.)
But is it really an art?

I suggest that the “art” is in the presentation. Any smart 13 year old kid, if he or she practiced enough — and had the right props — could do the same tricks as David Copperfield. But they will never be as good as Copperfield. Why not? Because they are not artists. They are just magicians. Copperfield is an artist for his performance skills…. but not because he can do kick-butt magic tricks.

Proof? I’ve seen a dozen or so movies where actors play the part of a magician, and more often than not these actors create way more of a presentation than most magicians I’ve seen. These actor-magicians are awesome. Not because they are magicians, but because they are not magicians. They are artists. They don’t give a darn about the tricks…they care only for the art.

What do you think? Art or Paint-By-Numbers?

Comment and let me know what you think.

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Open Letter To Bad Magicians

Brad Montgomery — Thu, 07 Jun 2007 15:30:58 +0000

An Open Letter to Crappy Magicians

I recently was hired to coach a speaker who also happened to do a bit of magic in her programs. It seems to me that the things that I told him are the same things I tell a bunch of people. Usually I’m nicer than what follows… but since I’m not talking to anybody in particular, perhaps you’ll forgive me.

This letter is to all of the magicians doing sub-par magic. (It seems to me that there are a a bunch of you.) As well as all of the speakers and trainers who dabble in magic and do a tiny bit of it to add to their presentations and public speaking.

(If this letter isn’t for you… then you’ll know it. If it is… you should take notes.)

I think your choice of props can be improved. My favorite magicians use props that look like stuff they bought at TARGET or Home Depot. Not the magic store. Our audiences today are so hip and sophisticated that their eyes glaze over when they see magic wands, velvet (change) bags and silk scarves. They see that stuff and immediately connect us with the dweeby 19 yr old that did our little tykes’ neighbors’ birthday party. If you don’t believe me ask your pals. Seriously… ask your pals. It might mean that you are looking a little dweeby yourself.

So I like your card and rope tricks… no schmaltzy props. They’re a bit tired, but what the heck; I use ‘em too. But … ok, I’ll say it… I hate the “magic scarves.” The box with the fake Chinese characters on it. The silly table that doesn’t look like anything I’ve ever seen any where but at magic shops. And I hate the change bag. It immediately tips you as an amateur. Not just to me, a guy who loves magic. But to the whole audience. To the whole world.

Here comes the straight talk.

My five year old uses a change bag and gets away with it because he is a cute little boy and people forgive him for doing a stupid trick. You are so smart and charming yet I can’t believe anybody is fooled, nor are they impressed with that little red bag. I think it is almost that simple: you are never gonna be a top-level speaker or entertainer if you are holding the same $25 magic-store prop that Skippy the Magic Clown uses. Trash it… or give it to my kid.
If you ask 10 people to describe a cliché magician they will come up w/ the same words and images. Top hat. Wand. Rope. Velvet bag. Get the point…? I think we, as magicians, need to immediately lose the props that on on the top shelf of the magic store and are done by birthday-party magicians around the globe.

My soap box: as magicians we need to recognize that magic has a deservedly bad rep. There is so much bad magic in the world most people don’t love it and I don’t blame them. If we accept this as true, it makes our path clear: avoid cliché magic. Big time… we just gotta stay clear of mediocre and crappy stuff.

But….I challenge you do learn that trick… or something like it using sleight of hand. Sure, you do the Prof. Nightmare trick with rope. Cool. Now keep going with the sleight of hand.

Let’s face it; audiences are impressed by what they perceive as skills. So if you dazzle them with a trick that they could never do… if you do some sleight of hand without a bag, without a dove pan, without….

Trust me.. they’ll be blown away. You work will be totally worth the effort. If they see you, a terrific person who can dazzle them with skills, personality, and his or her own hands…. Wow!

You can do it. Just make sure you’re doing the right thing.

Cheers.

Brad Montgomery
Magician, Comedian, Fed Up with Horrible Magicians, and Magician Speakers

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Magicians Get Lucky

Brad Montgomery — Tue, 20 Mar 2007 04:11:33 +0000

But not the way you think.

I was lucky to recently spend some time in Mexico with my family. One of my absolute highlights of a killer fun trip was doing magic for some kids. Ok, one kid actually.

At one point I did some simple magic tricks for some kids. My daughter — the blondie in the picture — and two Mexican kids, one of whom was fairly well off, and the one who lived in a shack. (Seriously, I saw it… it was a shack. No plumbing, no door, hardly any space, and in the middle of what looked like a trashed out lot.)

Well, all three kids seemed to dig the magic tricks… it was one of those cool days where it is fun to be a magician. But there was something especially fun about working for this underprivileged little kid. I know for a fact that she doesn’t have a TV — so it isn’t like she has been seeing a ton of magician David Blaine or David Copperfield. And — ok I’m guessing — but I’m pretty sure she wasn’t at any of her little friend’s birthday parties where they bring in a professional magician. In other words, I was one of the very few magicians this 5 or 6 year old kid had ever seen. Perhaps the only magician.

It was really cool. Sure, I love doing magic. And sure, I love doing it for kids. But doing some tricks for a kid who clearly was seeing something she perceived as special was a total blast.

But it also made me wonder how we as entertainers (and magicians in particular) are ever going to impress anybody in that same to-the-core way as the world becomes more technological, more youtube’d, and more connected in general. When anybody can order up any entertainment they want, are they still going to be impressed with (even the coolest) magic tricks? Or the most qualified magicians?

What do you think? Leave a comment!

Check out my work as a magician motivational speaker here.

Brad Montgomery
Magician, Magician Speaker, And Fan of Mexican Kids
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A pretty cool blog for magicians picked me up

Brad Montgomery — Thu, 04 Jan 2007 03:30:59 +0000

My post about magician Doug Henning was picked up by a cool website at iTricks.com. Check out their post here.

Brad Montgomery
Corporate Magician
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A pretty cool blog for magicians picked me up

Brad Montgomery — Tue, 02 Jan 2007 03:35:28 +0000

My post about magician Doug Henning was picked up by a cool website at iTricks.com. Check out their post here.

Brad Montgomery
Corporate Magician
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Doug Henning: Motivational Speaker or Magician?

Brad Montgomery — Sun, 31 Dec 2006 05:10:51 +0000

Both, of you ask me. When I was a kid I loved this guy. His TV specials made me want to become a magician.

We miss him. (He died a few years ago.)

I just ran into the cool quote from Doug, and thought you’d be interested:

Wonder is very necessary in life. When weíre little kids, we’re filled
with wonder for the world — it’s fascinating and miraculous. A lot of people lose that. They become cynical and jaded, especially in modern day society. Magic renews that wonder.

Dude! You were a skilled and totally entertaining magician. Sometimes a bit weird, but always charming and totally authenitic. Thanks for being an inspiraion.

Check out what Doug Henning (helped to) inspire here.

Brad Montgomery
Motivational Speaker, Magician, Fan of Doug Henning

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Need a Colorado Magician? Book my Kid!

Brad Montgomery — Sun, 22 Oct 2006 22:38:33 +0000

Yup, I’m a Colorado magician, and work all the time for corporate and association audiences performing my magician / comedian thing. But to be honest, nothing has made me so proud as watching my eldest daughter do some magic at a birthday party for her sister (my youngest kid).

Claire did some killer magic, fooled the kids, and did herself proud.

And yup, the hat was a nice touch.

Need a corporate comedian magician? I’d love to be your guy. And if I’m booked? Call Claire.

Brad Montgomery
Magician, Comedian, Proud Papa

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Good Magician… good friend.

Brad Montgomery — Mon, 21 Aug 2006 17:38:24 +0000

A good friend, and fellow Colorado magician Danny Archer was just profiled in the Society of American Magician’s magazine.

Danny is a good magician; and he has also invented many tricks for sale to other professional magicians. Besides that… he’s a good guy.

Congrats, Danny.

(Another cool connection: Colorado magician Lindsey Smith wrote the article about Danny. Lindsey also helped to edit my last book, Humor Us: America’s Funniest Humorists On the Power of Laughter.)
Learn More about my work as a corporate magician & speaker here.

Brad Montgomery
Corporate Magician, Stand Up Comedian,, and Fan of Danny Archer

Technorati Tags: Health, Magicians, Humor, Colorado.

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Magician, Sword Swallower, Freak…. and Friend.

Brad Montgomery — Wed, 19 Jul 2006 05:22:11 +0000

My first job as a professional magician was at the Colorado Renaissance Festival, where I was booked (at a whopping $30/day!) as Young Master Bardford, Magician of the Rhelm. It was an awesome, educational, difficult, sometimes scary, and always memorable job.

One of the best parts was watching and learning from a very talented and experienced street magician Johnny Fox. He was a monster talent with audience management, a gifted (and clean) comedian, a very skilled magician, and… get this… a sword swallower.

I lost contact with him, but just found this link to him in the New York Times…

Very cool… way to go, Johnny.

SEYMOUR, Conn. – It’s getting hard for an honest freak to make a living in New York. This is both a cultural and economic fact.

It is also the plight of Johnny Fox, a professional sword swallower and expert in sleight of hand, who until this winter was the impresario behind the Freakatorium, a museum of sideshow curiosities at 57 Clinton Street on the Lower East Side.

Johnny Fox, shown with his wife, Valeria, used to be the man behind a museum of sideshow curiosities in Manhattan.

In January, Mr. Fox’s rent went up and he had to close. Now he has moved his wonders to a farmhouse in Connecticut where the only thing they collect these days is dust.

His narwhal tusks stand in the attic near a loose pile of taxidermic heads. His elephant’s-foot liquor chest sits in the living room, seen by no one but himself.

His two-headed turtle lives downstairs in the basement with a sleepy boa constrictor. Out in the garage – forgotten – are Tom Thumb’s vest and Sammy Davis Jr.’s glass eye.

“I’d love for this stuff to be in New York,” said Mr. Fox, a sinewy and black-haired man of 52. “New York needs this kind of stuff, but who supports it anymore?”

It is a hard question to answer. Mr. Fox discovered that his Freakatorium was not the tourist destination he had hoped it would be. Even with its relatively modest $5 admission fee, it drew only 5 to 15 visitors a day.

When his rent increased in January to $2,400, more than double what he was paying when he opened in 1999, he could no longer make ends meet. Worse yet, it seems his collection is out of step in the current culture of New York. He has tried his best to find a new location, but has so far had no luck.

He was turned away by the owner of a 42nd Street video arcade and made to feel unwelcome at the smut shops. No theater will permit him to set up his collection in its lobby. There have been no takers for his offers, no answer to his pleas.

He has even thought of changing the roguish name of his establishment to cater to a different clientele.

“I figured we could call it the Chamber of Wonders, not the Freak-atorium,” he said. “Freak sometimes has a stigma to it. We could do something family-inviting.

Learn More about my work as a corporate magician & speaker here.

Brad Montgomery
Magician, Renaissance Festival Veteran, and Fan of Johnny Fox

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One of my favorite magicians of all time…

Brad Montgomery — Thu, 01 Jun 2006 05:39:07 +0000

I have learned every one of Billy McComb’s tricks. Ok… NOBODY has learned them all… Billy seemed to know everything about magic, magicians, and entertaing.

One of the best parts of my career was working the Magic Castle in Los Angeles, California. I did one show with Billy in the audience, and made a point of making sure about 95% of my show was from one of his books. It was very cool for me… I hope it was for him as well.

I have a photo of Billy and I on my office wall…I can see it now…
I just learned that Billy passed away recently. It was a huge loss for magic and magicians everywhere. It was a loss for me.
I’ll miss you, Billy McComb.

Brad Montgomery
Magician, Comedian, Fan of Billy McComb Forever

Technorati Tags: Magicians, Motivational Speakers, Humor, California.

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Real Magicians Study The Professor

Brad Montgomery — Mon, 01 May 2006 14:31:45 +0000

I’m proud of my background as a magician. Although I don’t use my magic skills now as much as I used to, I love being a magician, and I’m proud of being part of a huge history American performing arts… the history of magic.

One of the all time greats was a guy that non-magicians have never heard of: Dai Vernon. Magicians called him “The Professor” and I was pleased to meet him one night when I was working at the famous Magic Castle in Hollywood, California. The Professor was well known for sitting on a certain sofa and more or less holding court.

When I met him, I think he was well over 90, and wasn’t tracking as well as he would have liked. (That’s my way of saying that I met him, but I’m not sure he met me.) But it was a thrill nevertheless. I have many of his books, And I’ve studied tricks that he helped make famous. And that night… it was totally cool to shake his hand.

What’s my point? I’m not sure I have one, except to say that it is very cool to be part of something that is bigger than myself; it’s cool to be a magician.

Thanks Professor!

Brad Montgomery
Magician, Comedian, Keynote Speaker

Thanks to Magician and Blogger Glenn Bishop for the Dia Vernon Photo

Technorati Tags: Magicians, Motivational Speakers, Humor, Magic.

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Hey Kid! Get out of the street!

Brad Montgomery — Fri, 07 Apr 2006 19:39:04 +0000

Hey Kid! Get out of the street!

I just found this photo of me (aged 16 or so) doing magic on the streets of Denver, Colorado for tips. (Yup… it is weird to happen upon a photo of yourself; I found this in a Denver website.) I did a ton of work then as a street magician, doing magic tricks and telling jokes for tips.

I’m not certain that this was my best work as a magician, but hey! Everybody has to start somewhere.

If nothing else, it speaks to the fact that to be successful in this job (as a comedian, magician, speaker… whatever) you’ve got to have a TON of experience in front of audiences. Get it where you can.

Stagetime (or, in this case, sidewalk time) is crucial for anybody who wants to be an outstanding presenter. Looking at this photo reminds me of a hundred stories (like the time a drunk guy poured a beer into my hat as a “tip.” Yuck.)

Mostly though I have really great memories. I remember at age 16 doing a few shows in Larimar Square in Downtown Denver and made more money than I could have flipping burgers for a few sweeks. (I was so happy I felt high.)

Brad Montgomery
Speaker, Former Street Performer, Lover of Tips!

Check out my current work as a magician, comedian, and motivational speaker humorist here.

Technorati Tags: Colorado, Motivational Speakers, Humor, Magicians.

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“Magician” is a Bad Word

Brad Montgomery — Wed, 05 Apr 2006 20:15:25 +0000

I just got back from speaking to a group of Salt Lake City Utah speakers at the National Speakers Association — Utah chapter.

Magician and speaker Brad Barton and I got into an interesting conversation, and I wanted to ask your opinion.

We were discussing whether or not the “average person” really wants to see a magician, or if they would prefer to see an “entertainer” or “comedian” or “speaker.” Heck, some folks would rather see a mime! (Hey! Be cool… some of my best friends are mimes!)

So often, folks (wrongly?) connect the word “magician” with a kids’ entertainer — a guy in a funny hat, goatee, and magic-wand making bunnies appear out of hats while shouting, “abracabra!”

So when those of us who cater to groups of professional adults (as opposed to amateur adults?) mention the word “magician” we risk being wrongly categorized with those kids’ magicians. We lose the job.

Therefore, if we want to reassure our clients that our programs are geared to corporate and association audiences, we need to go lightly with the word “magician.”

What do you think? I dare you to leave a comment.

(Ok, I admit it – I use the word “magician” in my site… take a look.)

Technorati Tags: Magicians, Motivational Speakers, Humor, Comedians.

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Gotta be a Bad Magician First!

Brad Montgomery — Thu, 30 Mar 2006 18:37:59 +0000

This is a cool article about the growth of magician/performer skills. This guy is right on! You could change the word “magician” to speaker and it would be just ast true.
Look at this excerpt:

Glenn Bishop “Bish The Magish”: Magic’s Problems?
Being BAD is not a problem because you only get good by being BAD FIRST! And when you are bad you stick with it you will become good if you are bad often enough by doing lots and lots of shows. Magic is like sports in a way that you have to get in there and do it. You can’t be a basketball star by the study of basketball. Or training to be a basketball player. You only become a basketball player by PLAYING THE GAME. And playing the game is the only way that you could become the best player or M.V.P. And to get that you would need to play a lot of games but to do that you have to start by being bad.

Do you think he is right?

Brad Montgomery
Magician, Motivational Speaker, Comedian, and Sudoku Fan.

Technorati Tags: Magicians, Motivational Speakers, Humor, Presentation Skills.

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Comedian Idol? Nope…

Brad Montgomery — Wed, 29 Mar 2006 20:43:26 +0000

From ABC NEWS:

ABC News: Simon Cowell Takes His “American Idol” Search to Vegas
Wannabe singing stars on “American Idol” have been known to cringe whenever judge Simon Cowell speaks. Would-be magicians and other Las Vegas-style entertainers could soon become just as nervous if the acid-tongued Cowell finds a judge as outspoken as himself for a new talent competition

What do you think? Good idea?

I wish they had Comedian Idol.

Brad Montgomery
Magician, Comedian, Motivational Speaker, Fire-Man-Wanna-Be

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Who is a lousy magician?

Brad Montgomery — Mon, 06 Mar 2006 19:52:12 +0000

Check out this funny definition of a bad magician:

Abracadabbler
An amateur magician.
We were expecting to get a professional conjurer, but what we got was a mere abracadabbler.

Thanks to:
Witwords featuring Mark My Words, Fictionary of Witty Words and more!

Check out my work as a comedian magician here.

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Magicians can be cool? Even me!

Brad Montgomery — Fri, 10 Feb 2006 22:40:45 +0000

I just found this photo! A few years ago I was visiting China with my wife and ended up doing some simple coin tricks to some folks in a pretty small village.

Who was most amazed? Me! I had forgotten how powerful and fun magic tricks can be; it was an awesome reminder of how this thing — magic — is a skill that I know often take for granted. But I’m an idiot… it’s cool being a magician.

I blogged about this earlier… check out a different photo of me as a magician in China.

Click here to see what I provide as a corporate magician and comedian.

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Chinese Magic? Nope… just fun.

Brad Montgomery — Sat, 28 Jan 2006 19:22:04 +0000

Check out this cool photo we just found of me doing magic in a tiny village in China. This was really fun reminder about how cool it is to be a magician.

I’m sure these folks had seen magic before; but I’m equally sure that they had not seen many magicians. So I was getting a fresh crack at being their first real magic experience.

All I did was a few coin tricks… tricks that I have done for years. But the response these tricks earned was just terrific; my new Chinese friends apparently had a great time. But I had an AWESOME time.

Magic is cool… it was a fun reminder that although we all know magician’s tricks are not real, they are still a ton of fun. Being a magician is cool.

Check out my work as a corporate magician here.

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This magician should have been a speaker

Brad Montgomery — Wed, 04 Jan 2006 17:08:08 +0000

Magicians can occational say some pretty smart things.

Check out this amazing quote from magician Doug Henning (whom I loved when I was a kid.)

“Wonder is very necessary in life. When we’re little kids, we’re filled with wonder for the world — it’s fascinating and miraculous. A lot of people lose that. They become cynical and jaded, especially in modern day society. Magic renews that wonder.”

I am a bit jaded sometimes, but I think this magician had it just right.

Check out my work as a corporate magician and motivational speaker here.

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Ha ha! Lost your bag! Again! :)

Brad Montgomery — Sun, 01 Jan 2006 23:44:04 +0000

When flying into Missouri for my speaker gig, United Airlines misplaced my bag. (Direct flight…. hard to imagine what the problem was.)

But in a couple of ways, it was lucky.

1st: My client had hired me partly to be a speaker who reminded them to laugh at what is given you; to lighten up and enjoy life. Even when it throws you a curve. Life didn’t throw me a curve, United did. But still, it is pretty hard to be ticked off when you are speaking to others about NOT being ticked off.

2nd: My bag lost contained my props. I’m a magician motivational speaker. Magician. No props? How can you be a magician? Still, I had a few “emergency” props I keep in my carry-on, and after a quick trip to Wal-Mart, all was well again. And best of all? It was fun. Fun for me to think outside of my (prop) box to make sure my client was happy.

How cool is that?! United messed me up and ended up making me happy. (No United, this isn’t permission to lose my bag every time.)

Related links on my site:
Magician Motivational Speaker
Missouri comedian motivational speaker

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Colorado magician is a leader

Brad Montgomery — Tue, 29 Nov 2005 02:53:59 +0000

Bob Larue is the current president of the Mile High Magician’s Society. He does a ton of good work for our club of magicians (and magic enthusiasts.)

Besides that, he is a darn good magician himself: one of Colorado’s best.

I like him for a ton of reasons… one of them is that he is smart, funny, and always one for trying new things.

He was a bit bothered by my blog posting about the publis magic show. Let it be said here: I meant no offense. Bob does great work. He’s one of my favorite Colorado magicians.

Thanks Bob!

Brad

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Colorado magicians’ show was a bust

Brad Montgomery — Tue, 22 Nov 2005 17:28:03 +0000

I am a member of the Mile High Magician’s Society… a group of Colorado magicians and magic enthusiasts based in Denver, Colorado. It is a great group of people, a ton of magical talent. Mentors, friends, role models. There are many amateur magicians, many part time professional magicians, and a few of us pros.

They just did their annual fund raiser show. Seems to me like it was a short course in how not to promote anything.

I didn’t see the show, but understand it was filled with some great magicians. But what a shame…. almost no advertising. And what little advertising I saw failed to mention which magicians were featured, nor what type of magic these entertainers do.

I’m convinced in this world, a poster or announcement that says, “Magic Show” is pretty far from what it takes. People want personality, they want something unique, and they want it to be first class.

Lance Burton and David Copperfield brand themselves… not their “magic show.” They are more than a “magic show”…. they are an experience, and they market that.

The Colorado magicians club has a lot to learn, but it seems to me that it starts with a tiny lesson in marketing.

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Colorado Magician rocks

Brad Montgomery — Mon, 21 Nov 2005 17:58:26 +0000

I recently saw Colorado Magician Dave Elstun perform at my local library. I saw it advertised and was thrilled to take my kids and see this old friend perform.

He was great! He has always been a great guy and a one of Colorado’s most professional magicians. But still, I saw some extreme improvement in Dave. He was funny and relaxed. He was playful and in the moment.

And besides all of that… he is a darned good magician.

The real judge? My kids loved him.

Dave’s website is www.emagicpro.com

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Two Sheets to the wind?

Brad Montgomery — Mon, 21 Nov 2005 17:57:45 +0000

Another of my favorite Colorado magicians is a guy by the name of John T. Sheets. (And no, I have no idea what the T is for.)

He is a sleight of hand expert…. he has a trick with a finger ring that just blows my mind. I know how it is done, and it STILL blows my mind.

He’s a good guy, and is also a member of the Colorado Magicians’ Society. He does great work.

Thanks John!

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Young Magician is Royalty

Brad Montgomery — Mon, 21 Nov 2005 17:57:36 +0000

Young Magician is Royalty!

Keir Mathur is a great Colorado magician and a good guy. He is a new entrant into the world of ‘magicians who are also speakers, and it has been my pleasure to coach him a bit.

One of the things I love about Keir is his willingness to take responsibility for his own future and success. . He is trying hard to get his career kicks started, and is working his butt off to make it happen. He isn’t just sitting around; he is working.

He has learned his own video editing skills, his own marketing skills, and generally doing a great job not just as a magician but also as a guy who can set goals and take steps toward them every day.

Good for you Keir.

Colorado Magicians rock!

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Speakers Showcase

Brad Montgomery — Mon, 21 Nov 2005 17:53:39 +0000

Just came from a speakers showcase with Five Star Speakers and Trainers in Chicago, Illinois. (This is an event where buyers from many industries come to see a sample of several speakers’ speeches.

It was a fun event…. we had plenty of laughs. But to be honest, the best part was hanging out with the other speakers. Motivational. Inspirational. High Tech. Emotional Intelligence. Personality experts. A bunch of great people… it was a fun trip.

A couple of my favorites were there: Mike Rayburn and Michael C. Anthony. They are both total pros (and are in my 2nd book, Humor Us) and both of them did a great job. Mike is a comedian and killer musician, and Michael C. Anthony is a hypnotist, magician speaker, and just generally good guy. Both of them are fun and funny, and totally pros.

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Married to your work? Try this….

Brad Montgomery — Mon, 21 Nov 2005 17:47:54 +0000

Married to your work? Abracadabra

Two of my favorite Colorado magicians are Connie Kolina–Elstun and Dave Elstun. Cool thing? They are married.

Can you imagine two magician’s married? They must have some seriously odd conversatons.

“Honey, have you seen my deck of cards?”
“Yes, dear. You left it by the rabbit cage. And next time you come home put your magic wand away…. You know how I hat it when you leave your props out.”

They are nice folks and great magicians. (Kim and I hired Connie to work for our kid’s day care, and Dave and I have been pals forever!)

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Magicians: Brian Dino

Brad Montgomery — Thu, 10 Nov 2005 17:24:21 +0000

I think my friend and one of our fellow Colorado magicians Brian Dino did a great job of explaining close up magic, and why somebody might want it. Thanks Brian.

Magic of Brian Dino

Mix & Mingle

: Your guests are entertained right at the heart and start of the event. With no special lighting, sound or tables required, Brian engages —then involves— your guests in a close-up performance they may think possible only on television. Where people meet for the first time i.e. client hospitality, Brian naturally brings them together and provide the catalyst for interaction between them… something many companies are aware of as being a problem to overcome. Brian can easily provide the solution.

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Gene Anderson – The Master of Magical Fun

Brad Montgomery — Tue, 01 Nov 2005 05:13:28 +0000

Gene Anderson – The Master of Magical Fun

I love this magician!

Gene’s performance, combining jaw-dropping magic and his infectious humor, is the perfect addition to any banquet or meeting. He is the acknowledged master of newspaper magic; you’ll never look at your Sunday edition in the same way again! Gene also features such unlikely objects as ropes, eggs and even a sink stopper; this joyous funster is no boring, “Is that a coin behind your ear?” magician! His show involves delightful audience participation pieces, but he’s always careful to provide the laughs with absolutely no embarrassment to his helpers!

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Old time magician scores big

Brad Montgomery — Tue, 01 Nov 2005 05:12:58 +0000

Lance Burton is an excellent magician, and is one of my favorite Las Vegas entertainers .

His act rocks. What I think I love most is the fact that he is the modern answer for old time magicians. He works in a tux. He does tricks which have been around hundreds of years. And is is graceful, polite with his audience, and totally clean.

Besides… a couple of his magic tricks fool the heck out of me.

Next time you’re in Las Vegas, check him out.

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Comedian Magician is King

Brad Montgomery — Tue, 01 Nov 2005 05:12:24 +0000

I was working in Las Vegas and was reminded of one of my favorite comic magicians, Mac King. Mac rocks! Funny, clean, and totally origiinal.

And he has an awesome job: a daytime show in Las Vegas. Wow.

Besides, he’s a really nice guy.

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Trick or Treat?

Brad Montgomery — Mon, 31 Oct 2005 02:34:39 +0000

Trick. Magician’s Tricks, to be exact.

Andy Hickman is a very good motivational speaker. I’m flattered to include a chapter by this Texas – based speaker in my book Humor Me: America’s Funniest Humorists on the Power of Laughter.

But of course I’m biased; because like me Andy uses magic. He’s a magician motivational speaker.

He uses magic and magic tricks to make and emphasize his points. He uses his skills as a magician to create a rich and diverse program. Like me he uses magicians’ tricks to entertain while he delivers motivation and inspiration.

Besides… he is a good guy.

Texas Motivational Magician Speaker

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Magicians…. skill!

Brad Montgomery — Tue, 25 Oct 2005 15:47:04 +0000

Magic Unlimited with Ellis & Webster
Roll’em roll’em roll’em…

Penguin Magic are currently holding a contest to see if they can find the world’s fastest coin roller.

If you think you can do a coin roll more than 40 times in one minute, you’re in for a chance and Penguin will fly you to Las Vegas to do it for the Guinness World Record People. The rules are set out below, if you think you’re in with a shot, read more about it here:

1. The set time is one minute.
2. The coin must be US currency in current circulation.
3. The coin must start between the thumb and first finger, make a revolution around the hand, and it’s counted as ONE when it reaches that thumb and first finger position again.
4. The coin is not allowed to skip a finger.
5. The coin is not allowed to drop during the set time.
6. You can perform the coin roll with either your left hand or your right hand.

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Magicians’ Tricks for Free

Brad Montgomery — Tue, 25 Oct 2005 15:27:51 +0000

One of my mentors was Orville Meyer. As a young magician in Nebraska, he had to WORK to learn tricks. He traded tricks with others by mail, did his best to figure tricks out for himself, and worked hard to meet other magicians travelling through Nebraska. Magic secrets for Orville were treasures as they were so hard to learn.

Now, in our age of the internet, there is a ton of good stuff out there. Check out this post from a magician Aaron Smith. It’s good information for the advanced magician.

Orville would have been amazed to find this stuff so easily. I don’t know if he would laugh or cry.

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Magicians’ Tricks Stink!

Brad Montgomery — Mon, 24 Oct 2005 23:09:45 +0000

Yet I love magic. Good magic is more about good magicians than good tricks…. Read this excerpt from a great post by Steve Pellegrino:

“If you do the Linking Rings, you are doing what 90% of all the other magicians are doing – in the audience’s eyes. Once you take the rings out, people know what’s going to happen because chances are they’ve seen another magician do it. So just the fact that you’ve included the effect in your repertoire makes you look like every other magician.

What we have to learn is how to make the show about the experience and have us, the performer, be what the audience goes away liking first, the magic second. Bill Malone is the perfect example of that. You remember the person before you remember the magic.”

Nice Job, Steve

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Clown Noses In the Board room

Brad Montgomery — Fri, 07 Oct 2005 14:40:44 +0000

Clown Noses at Work

At a very recent date where I was a California Motivational Speaker in San Jose, California for the HRD Network we talked about the importance of Humor In the Workplace. One of the many examples I gave them was regarding clown noses, and how they can use them at work to keep the humor and laughter going.

I talked about, for example, how when they wear a clown nose while speaking on the phone with a difficult customer they can keep a smile on their face. (Because after all, isn’t it impossible to let even the most difficult customer upset us when we are wearing a clown nose?) And best of all, since the customer cannot see that we are wearing the clown nose they have no idea that we are “dissing them!”

Anyway, I just got the most wonderful photo and note:

“Hi Brad – I thought you’d like to see how we applied your Ordinary Magic! You were right, life and work is more fun when you can laugh with others.

Thanks for making the HRD Network fun and funny.

Jackie
Administration and Finance Director
MyDAS, Inc.
California”

Thanks MyDAS for making my day. And thanks for proving that a little playfulness with clown noses can’t change your whole life, but it can certainly change your day. (And, if you change enough days….. : ) )

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Corporate Magicians

Brad Montgomery — Mon, 03 Oct 2005 14:33:35 +0000

What are corporate magicians? And Why do you need one?

I got a call today from a very nice woman who had some excellent questions about my use of magic in my job as a professional speaker.

I ended up giving her a short course on corporate magicians and what sets them apart, and it struck me that this was an excellent topic for many of my readers.

The main difference between a typical magician and a true corporate magician is that corporate magicians are experienced in working for sophisticated, well-educated groups that want more than just the average run of the mill magician. Corporate audiences don’t want a magician or magician speaker to do the “magic scarf” trick or the silly rope trick. Nope, they want some serious entertainment. And if your magician is going to incorporate comedy, then by all means make sure you select a comedian magician who understands how to work clean and for high end business audiences.

There are a ton of magicians who are part time professionals; they are wonderful teachers, plumbers, doctors etc. who are often amazingly skilled magicians as well. Many of these folks are my pals.

But if you are making a huge investment in a corporate or association convention, it is well worth your investment and trouble to engage a professional corporate magician.

Brad Montgomery: National and Colorado corporate magician

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Katrina: Pick THIS card!

Brad Montgomery — Sat, 17 Sep 2005 21:01:45 +0000

Comedian magician (and pal) Michael C. Anthony just did something very cool. As he was on the road working for a college in Mississippi where after the show he went to visit three different shelters for those who lost everything during the hurricane.

Michael took it upon himself to do some magic for the folks in the shelter. I loved it! Not only did he go visit, but he shared the skill he has taken years to hone and shared it with those needing it most. He told me that the folks were bored stiff and probably would have reacted to nearly anything. But I know Michael, and he is a one of the nations most professional magicians… and so I know that he shared something really special.

Way to go dude! Way to share the laughter, the humor… and the magic!

click out my work as a corporate comedian magician

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Pick a magician. Any magician

Brad Montgomery — Fri, 16 Sep 2005 17:40:21 +0000

Dateline: Ft. Collins, Colorado I just got back from Colorado’s premier magicians convention called Magic in the Rockies. What a blast. Colorado magicians converge on three days of tricks, lectures, and laughter. A couple of my favorites were comedians (yup, you can be a comedian AND a magician) Dana Daniels and comedian magician Michael Finney. They were hilarious, honed, and clean.

One interesting note was that Michael Finney received a rare standing ovation from the magicians…. for not doing a trick. He did a long set of stand up comedy and KILLED! Even magicians were amazed — and laughing ’till their faces hurt — by this corporate comedian.

The best part of the convention for me was that it rejuvenated my love for all things magical and magic. I’ve been so involved with the comedian portion of my speaker job that I’ve taken the magician part of me for granted. No more…. welcome back Magic Boy!

Check out all the info about my work as a corporate magician here.

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