I only have a handful of friends in the magic community.
That sentence sounds like the beginning of a confession, doesn’t it? Like I’m about to spill some tea (as the kids say). And yes, I did just say "tea" and "kids" in the same sentence. That’s how this blog is going to go.
In all honesty, I don’t have a ton of friends in any part of my life. Not because I don’t want more—but because I sometimes forget to be a good friend. I have an obsessive personality. I’ll get focused on a magic trick and lose three days to it. Stacy will eventually remind me to shower and maybe, just maybe, leave the house.
Last week, we wrapped up our D.C. and Maryland tour. In my last post, I covered D.C. This one’s all about Maryland—a trip that reminded me how time flys, and why it’s important to pause and appreciate the people around us.
Also.. it gave us an opportunity to see Jeff. Jeff.. we will get to him soon enough.
Through Cornfields and Card Tricks
I hadn’t spent much time in Maryland before this trip, but I knew the basics: the Battle of Antietam happened here, the Orioles play here, and that it reminds me of home.
I grew up in Salem, Ohio—a town full of cornfields, close-knit communities, and people who call you by your first name... or a nickname they know you by. That’s how Maryland felt to me.
In my hometown, some people call me "The Magician," others know me as Jason, and a few probably call me names we won’t repeat. That’s small-town life. When I'm recognized as the magician, I try to have a miracle on hand ready to perform. Being known as The Magician is a lot to live up to.
As we travel, i'm finding myself meeting other small towns magicians. On this tour we met Dave Thomen, the magician of Hampstead, Maryland.
Dave is a guy with weekly gig at a The Greenmount Station. Everyone knows him. He knows everyone. He's the type of guy who can call peole by their first name as he performs table side magic while they eat. Dave is the Hampstead version of me.
Once a month, he brings in touring magicians such as ourselves for a public show. This show takes place for a maximum of 36 people. Not because it couldn't fit more but because that's all the fire code will allow.
Audience members are 6 inches away as the miracles happen which makes for an interesting and unique style of entertainment. We’ve performed on all types of stages. From our own intimate stage at The Alex Theater in Cleveland to most of the 700 seat theaters aboard the Holland American Cruise Line ships, we've experienced it all. Dave’s venue felt like home.
In small rooms like this, the magic feels different. With the audience so close, There's nowhere to hide. It’s raw, it’s personal, and it’s the kind of magic we love most. We were able debuted new material, reconnected with some favorites, and just focused on what we do best, entertaining. Dave runs a tight show and I highly recommend you see the next performing who is visiting from out of town.
Also at this gig.. we got to see Jeff. Yep Jeff.. we will get to him soon.
Let’s Talk About Peter Wood
When Stacy and I filmed our first Fool Us episode, we were nervous, excited, and sworn to secrecy. I posted a cryptic photo of the airplane wing on our trip out and immediately got a response from Peter Wood saying "Secret mission in Vegas?" here, he would be filming his first Fool Us episode at the same time we were.
We met Peter back in 2014 at The Columbus Ohio Magifest convention. At a convention like this you will have a handful of coin guys, a handful of card gals and just a few people like Peter Wood. Those are the ones you want to get to know.
Peter is a tinkerer . He is someone who can look at an everyday object, tell you how it works, what it's made of and how you can make it better. Peter turned his basement bathroom into a complete replica of the Haunted Mansion at The Magic Kingdom at Disney World. Peter is a fun friend to have.
We knew when we planned this trip that we would be visiting with Peter and his wife Kristi. I once heard that the way to become smarter is by being the dumbest person in a room and by asking those around you questions. I always feel like I have a handful of questions that Peter knows the answer to.
Okay.. we are almost to Jeff... F'ing Jeff ( See Stacy's Mom.. no swearing just for you).
Breakfast with Tim
Normally after a tour, we pack up and rush home. But this time, a young magician named Timothy Carver asked us to grab breakfast at JeannieBird in Westminster, Maryland. For once, we said yes.
Let me clarify something: I call Tim a "young magician" because I’m 41, halfway to 42, and remember dial-up internet. I get to say "young" now whenever I want to.
Tim reminded me of myself at his age. He loves sleight-of-hand and out-of-the-box ideas. When I was younger, I was obsessed with Paul Harris The Art of Astonishment books—the same ones that helped shape David Blaine. Tim is cut from that cloth.
He’s already more experienced than I was in my 30s. He and Stacy hit it off, and I hope you get the chance to see his work. He deserves a shot on Fool Us and I hope he shows the world what his mind has come up with.
Okay... Now onto Jeff
First things first: I’m not giving you Jeff’s last name. I love the guy, but he’s like Beetlejuice. Say his full name three times and he’ll haunt your dreams forever. Lets just stick with calling him Jeff
Jeff—I know you skipped the rest of this blog and came straight here. Go back and read the whole thing. I said nice things about other people before I got to you. Also... how do you keep getting my number? I’ve changed phones four times yet you still keep texting me? What the heck?
Jeff and I met at The MAES convention in Carlisle, PA. I was competing. He was Jeff.We instantly became friends.
I grew up the youngest cousin on my fathers side, all of my siblings being much older than me so by the time I was in middle school I was basically raised as an only child. I always wanted someone to share magic with. Jeff is like an older brother to me.
When Stacy and I create a new trick, Jeff is the first person we share it with and the last to see it before it hits the stage. It’s a delicate relationship. You want honest feedback, but magicians’ egos are fragile. Jeff gets that. He’s honest, funny, sharp, and somehow manages to critique without crushing your soul.. sometimes.
We see each other once a year, and we always pick up where we left off—talking magic, roasting each other, laughing the whole way through. He introduced us to Dave and got us into the Greenmount show. He was the first to arrive and the last to leave. More than likely he just hangs out with me so Stacy will talk to him, either way I'm a big fan of Jeff.
Wrapping It Up
I didn’t plan for this to be a blog full of praise, but here we are. Not because I owe anyone anything—but because I had a genuinely great time.
The tour was a success. We've begun booking another one throughout Virginia and main for this fall and are excited to visit again.
If we do? I hope to see you there. Just do me a favor... Don’t tell Jeff.