Classic Publicity Photo – Joe Conrad

  • September 4, 2012
  • 1 minute read

I am the style of person who likes to look forward and not dwell on the past. My busy life in the magic & entertainment world does not give me much time to be too nostalgic.

But from time-to-time it’s fun to look through all the old scrap books… (and I know from the email’s that my fans send me, as well others who follow this blog, they like to see stuff from my career when I was younger – along with the current going-on’s).

So imagine my smile when I came across this old publicity pic when I was in my prime! hee hee…

This pic served me well for many years and got me a lot of work. It was printed on many different brochures, posters and other marketing materials, as well. In the background are my two female assistants at the time, Val Werner (left side) and Melissa Lisi (right side).

joe-conrad-classic
Illusionist Joe Conrad circa 1989

I will publish more historic “Joe Conrad” items online from time-to-time, as I come across them. In the mean time, there are lots of items in the Gallery Archive over at the main Joe Conrad website.

“AGT” – Michael Finney Get’s It Right!

  • September 2, 2012
  • 2 minute read

 

michael-finneyFinally, Michael Finney offers a sensible viewpoint on this terrible showcase for magic acts – America’s Got Talent.
I will let him describe it in his own words:
(Credited from the most recent newsletter of  Alan Watson’s” Magic New Zealand® – Issue Number: #951.” Not sure where his comments originally appeared.)

 I would like to add my two cents worth on the AGT show, and magicians performing, simply stated the show is a joke. Of all the shows like it “The Voice”, “Idol”, “Dancing with the  Stars” etc, AGT is the worst, How can anyone take that show seriously, other than Terry Fator.

You compete against a potpourri of hit and miss acts, most of which could not do a Las Vegas act, period. Little kids and animals competing against adults should tell you something. I feel for my friends who have gone on and been subjected to judges who are not qualified to judge acts under this format.  Some will say they got some TV time, which most have already had in one way or another. I did Star Search back in the day, at least then you were going up against other acts doing what you did. But even then the best acts hardly ever won! It’s all about rating’s. It’s all about controversy and how rude the judges can be to acts.  Many of the acts should never have gotten on the show in the first place, that’s what makes AGT a joke from the get go!

Right on Michael! I know so many professional magician friends (who where once on the top of their game with top tv spot time) trying to still cling on to stardom for a bit longer by appearing on the show. But they just end up embarrassing themselves.

Fellow local magician from Orlando, Florida (where I grew up) Dan Stapleton was made a total ass of with the taping of his act on AGT (and he voiced his thoughts about this publicly within the industry after the fact, in fairness to him…).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KoL2_xSpxL8

Magic is an art and deserves respect to be showcased properly. And AGT isn’t that showcase.

My Friend Kelly…

  • August 26, 2012
  • 1 minute read

The nice thing about this business with traveling all over the world and performing, is renewing and staying in touch with all the old & new friends alike.

Kelly Mac was my magic assistant in the early 1980’s (back when I was working for Robert Earl in Orlando and doing 2 shows a night!). She is now a famous makeup artist in New York, doing all high-level projects and many celebrity shoots. I had such a crush on her then, hee hee…

Great to hear from you Kelly!  🙂

Just look at the dated 80’s hair styles & clothes on both of us below!

joe-conrad-kelly-mac-1980s
Joe Conrad and Kelly Mac – circa 1980’s
kelly-mac-new-york
Kelly Mac today on one of her shoots.

The Untold Tommy Cooper – TV Special

  • August 25, 2012
  • 1 minute read

For those of you that are big Tommy Cooper fans (as I am), below are YouTube links to an excellent documentary about his life (including a lot of never before seen footage) from English television:

Part 1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3YJuUdXVLQ4

Part2

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xC-_ixNncj0

Part 3

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fv1xgDfHI_k

Part 4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ANpAbYlYc2s

Part 5

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hZVjPxAhoPQ

 

Illusionist Joe Conrad Show Reel

  • April 14, 2012
  • 1 minute read

It was pointed out to me that we never actually posted our promo showreel here in the blog. So here it is!

 

We have been quite surprised on how many hits it received and how it has moved up in the rankings! Clients can received an actual higher quality version on DVD, along with all of our other hardcopy promotional materials. Just contact us on the Illusionist Joe Conrad bookings page.

Shocking Situation About Hank Lee

  • April 2, 2012
  • 1 minute read

Just as most of the magic community was, I was shocked to read the news over at the ‘Genii Buzz’ forum regarding the federal charges against Hank Lee (real name Harry Levy) of Hank Lee’s Magic Factory. Then of course after that the story went viral over all the other magic forums and blogs.

You can see the entire article here on the FBI investigation into Hank Lee. Also here is the pdf of the Hank Lee/Richard Garriott stipulated facts and settlement agreement  on the case.

This is so sad, at least for me personally. I have looked at Hank Lee with the highest regard for most of my career. I have ordered magic from him for the last 3 decades. As a teenager and beyond I always looked forward to his newest catalog and the ‘Book of Books’ (in the pre-internet days!). He always had all the latest items and supplies I needed and shipped them super fast.

To see him go through this kind of humility (even though self-imposed) breaks my heart. God bless his family too as they go through this ordeal. Hope he can move on after his punishment imposed by the court and put all of this behind him.

What I have been up too…

  • March 25, 2012
  • 1 minute read

I have been getting a lot of inquires of what I have been doing and when our next public performance is. Truth is that after performing two 60+ minutes shows per night for an 8 month run (showtimes 7 days a week!) in Phuket, I am enjoying some down time relaxing this month. Just hanging out with my friends, family and dogs and re-charging my batteries.

We have another high level project launching soon. In the mean time, you can catch up on the latest with our shows, etc. through this blog. Have a good weekend all…  🙂

Pic of Phuket Magic Theatre

  • March 19, 2012
  • 1 minute read

For some reason, this was always my favorite shot of the interior of the Joe Conrad Magic Theatre in Phuket, Thailand. This pic was shot by Director of Theatre Operations, Andy Pragnell. (On his iPhone!)

Joe Conrad Magic Theatre

Sad News About Peter White…

  • March 16, 2012
  • 1 minute read

I was sad to hear so, so late about the passing of Peter White late last year. I was shocked I was not aware earlier…

Peter was a legend in the dove and silk magic world. I remember seeing his lecture for the first time as a teenager at a Florida State Magic Convention. And he was so kind to spend an additional hour or so privately with me (from a mutual friend’s introduction) and shared even more inside knowledge. WOW!!! How was I to know at that time the effect it would have on my act and how many of his dove & silk gimmicks work become standard in the magic world today. (With no credit to him I might add!)

Nobody took more pride in his teaching and products than he did. As the owner of P&A Silks, he filled a niche that is not easy to find. (Where in the world can I get the white streamers for my act now???) His old lecture notes called “Pete White Dove and Silk Lecture” are available from time to time on Denny & Lee’s Magic Studio website. Believe me, you will not regret the purchase!

For the time being, you can see full details on Peter, his life and his passing on his P&A SILKS webpage.

Peter White of P&A Silks

Nris Magic Show – Hua Hin, Thailand

  • August 1, 2010
  • 2 minute read

A couple of weekends ago, we took a break from our normal routine and went over to see the Nris show (a Thai illusionist). It was located at the Hua Hin Thailand Hilton Hotel & Resort. The show was very good with the ‘small but mighty’ audience being entertained immensely. We also found him to be a very nice guy and he was very gracious to both myself and my guests during and after the show.

The entrance To his theatre at the Hilton Hotel
Nris Theatre Entrance
You even get free refreshments & popcorn with the ticket price!
Nris Theatre Refreshment Area
Where you buy your tickets and souvenir t-shirts
Nris Ticket Booth
A close-up shot of the nice atmospheric set entrance
Nris Theatre Entrance Set
Inside the theatre before the curtain opens
Nris Theatre Inside
A video is played a few minutes before the show. It shows some of his national tv appearances on Thai television…
Nris Theatre Video
An interesting touch – There is a tip box as you leave the theatre!
Nris Theatre Tip Box!
A candid shot of Joe Conrad & Nris right after the show
Nris & Illusionist Joe Conrad
Another pic of Nris, but this time with my Prod. Director Andy & WIlliam
Nris with Andy & William Pragnell
We always try and support the magic scene in Thailand and were happy to attend the show of Nris and company. The show includes small magic, audience participation, some in-house built magic, hand puppet shadows and even a motorcycle production. The day we saw him it as in the smaller showroom, due to the reduced audience size. When there is a hundred or more people it is moved into the larger convention hall. When there it includes bigger scale illusions with a helicopter production. I hope to make it back to see it sometime. The current contract runs until September. Good job Nris!