Doc Eason
has been performing bar magic in Snowmass Colorado for almost
30 years. He's performed at the world famouse Magic Castle, and
other venues the world over. If you ever have a chance to see
him perform live don't pass it up. If you can't get there, I strongly
suggest buying one of his
DVD's. Even if you don't want to learn the tricks you'll be
well entertained. You won't believe the things this man can do!
Q:
How long have you been performing bar magic?
A: Since
1977. We are pushing three decades...!
Q:
What made you decide to be a bar magician?
A:
Watching Bob Sheets behind the bar ... check my website at http://doceason.com/tower.htm
for the story of how that all came about...
Q:
My biggest inspirations when
it comes to bar magic are works by Scotty York, Jim Sisti and
above all, you. Who inspires your work?
A:
Bob Sheets has to take the blame for my career... again ...check
the above link... I have the benefit of being in close contact
with Eric Mead who I consider to be one of the finest magicians
on the planet these days... my corporate contacts put me in touch
with folks like Bill Herz, Bill Malone, David Williamson, Tim
Conover and the like... these guys continually inspire me every
time I am with them.
Q:
Anyone who’s seen you
perform knows you’re an amazing magician but can you really
tend bar too?
A:
Oh yeah,..i was a bartender first... I can sling whiskey with the
best of them...Remember, selling drinks is the real reason you are
there... GTFM... any body can do a trick or two...but, at the end
of the night, ringing out the register is the real measure of your
value to the bar. ..not how many versions of Triumph you know...
Q:
I tend bar first and perform
tricks when and if time is available. Do you have any tips for our
readers who tend bar for a living but want to add a few tricks to
the night in order to increase tips?
A:
Make sure everyone has a drink first... then pull out the cards
or whatever... don't try to do too much magic... the advice "always
leave them wanting more" is sound. I wouldn't do a bunch
of tricks first ... schmooze them ..
Q:
How about any tips for bartenders who want
to be magicians first and bartenders second?
A:
Don't...unless you come into the field with a reputation, trying
to be the star is going to piss off the existing bartenders... prove
yourself in the trenches first, then try the magic.
Q:
One
of your signature tricks is when the spectator’s card shows
up under your drink several times. I’ve seen it on your DVD
and it’s amazing but I assume you’ve performed that
trick several thousand times by now. Do you ever get tired of doing
the same tricks night after night and if so how do you keep it fresh
for your audience?
A:
Excellent question... every crowd is different as are their reactions...
so the freshness of the crowd makes a difference... I absolutely
love doing the card under glass... I don't think there is a stronger
bar trick... I can make even the most jaded critic come around with
that routine... oh, I will cut and paste the routine so I may not
do the whole thing start to finish... but this gets their attention
in a way that few other tricks do.
Did Goshman ever get tired of "magishing"?
I am sure that he did but you never saw it ...
Q:
Now that the Tower is no longer around where can we see you perform?
A:
I am performing one night a week at a local Snowmass hotel.. the
Stonebridge on Thursday nights... I may be at some magic conventions
this year. I will be at Blackpool for the big convention in late
Feb. I have a number of corporate gigs coming up. I am working mostly
private corporate gigs.
Q:
Are any of the tricks you teach us in your DVDs
still a part of your current repertoire?
A: Yes..
most everything on the L&L videos are still in the current repertoire...
Q:
I’ve heard that you like
to share “war stories” with your lectures audience members.
Would you mind sharing one with us?
A:
Oh there are so many ... the most recent one is from the
other night.. I was entertaining four young college guys from Tulane...
who were really enjoying the act and drinking heavily... at one
point in my Sam the Bellhop I make a reference to dyslexia.. One
of these drunken fools takes powerful offense at it... "hey
man, dyslexia is nothing to make fun of.." they cast such a
pall on the group that we just called the act over and took a long
break.. they were way too drunk and out of control... so we all
sort of waited until the weirdness left the room ... the lesson?
... I guess we have to be careful of our audiences...
Q:
Could you tell us more about your whipped cream pie in the face
gag?
A:
It isn't mine .. it was a gag that Bob Sheets and Steve Spill used
to do years ago... you could "order a pie" for whoever
you wanted. At some point through the evening, someone would receive
a whipped cream pie in the face.
Q:
You speak about “sexual
politics” in your DVDs.
Could you explain a little what you mean by that?
A:
Playing the crowd as possible picking grounds for romantic
conquests puts a weird spin on the show and I dont think it is appropriate.
Thanks for your time Mr. Eason.
NOTE: Doc
Eason has won the Bar Magician of the Year award from Hollywood
Academy of Magical Arts. Congratulations Doc!
|
Doc Eason's Rocky Mountain Magic, Inc.
P.O. Box 50 Basalt, CO 81621
970 927-3197 Fax; 970 927-3749
orders only 1-800-594 7771
http://www.doceason.com
Buy
Doc Eason's DVD here.
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