* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Magic New Zealand * www.watson.co.nz/ezine.html * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Issue Number: #472 Date: Sunday 14th January 2007 Editor: Alan Watson www.magicianz.com www.Alan-Watson.com e-mail: AW@Alan-Watson.com ================================ Hi here is the latest news ================================ 1. Editor's Message 2. S.A.M. Uses Podcasts For Convention Updates 3. Australian Society of Magicians Centenary Convention Program 4. Meetings With Remarkable Magicians # 43 - Nick Lewin 5. Going The Distance: Being More To Your Client - Kyle Peron 6. Site Certificate Not Found 7. Ideas For Making My Business Card More Appealing? 8. Motivational Magic 9. Goodsell To Lecture At S.A.M Convention 10. Carney in Europe. March 2007 11. Fantasma Launchers New Website - www.fantasmamagic.com 12. The Las Vegas Magic Invitational (LVMI) 13. A Creative Magic Lecture/Teach-In Day 14. Letter From Beris Quinn, Wife Of - 'The Great Franquin' 15. The Amazing Orchante Saga 16. e-zine Archives 17. Privacy Policy And Copyright Notice -------------------------------------------- 1. Editor's Message -------------------------------------------- We hear that there is over 1,000 who have registered for the Joint IBM / SAM 2008 - Louisville, Kentucky July 21-26, 2008. ------------------ The next New Zealand Convention is due to be held in 2008 - is there a New Zealand magic club willing to host this convention? Please notify Magicana and Magic New Zealand of your intentions as soon as possible. ----------------------- Remember if you have any magic news drop me a line: AW@Alan-Watson.com -------------------------------------------- 2. S.A.M. Uses Podcasts For Convention Updates -------------------------------------------- Message from George Schindler - Dean - the Society of American Magicians In 2006 the S.A.M. started to use interviews of stars to promote their Convention Events. This proved very successful and the 2007 Convention in Dallas is already receiving more than 100 listeners a day. In addition to those already on line, here is the newest one featuring: Past National President and M-U-M Editor Emeritus David Goodsell who shares a preview of his 2007 S.A.M. Convention lecture on magic from the pages of M-U-M on this week's Convention Update podcast! To listen via your Internet Browser: www.samconvention.blogspot.com To subscribe (free) and automatically receive Convention Updates on your iTunes, iPods, or MP3 Players that you received at Christmas. Subscribe to: http://samconvention.hipcast.com/rss/new.xml -------------------------------------------- 3. Australian Society of Magicians Centenary Convention Program -------------------------------------------- Message from Charles Gauci President ASM Melbourne Proposed Program ASM Inc. Centenary Convention 7-9th July 2007 Subject to Change Friday 10 am - 5 pm Full dress rehearsal for Public Charity Show at the Besen Theatre Not for registrants Friday 12 noon - Dealers Bump In Friday 8 -10.30pm - Bar Magic Mezzanine floor at Victoria Hotel Friday 8 pm - Public Charity Show Rotary - Not for registrants Saturday 8.30 am - Shuttle Buses from Victoria Hotel to Besen Centre 9 - 11am - Registration Opens - Dealers Open 11- 12 pm - Shawn Farquhar Lecture 12 - 1.30 pm - Lunch Break - Dealers Open 1.30 - 2.30 pm - Lennart Green Lecture 2.30 - 3.00 pm - Tea Break - Dealers Open 3.00 - 4.00 pm - Eugene Burger Lecture 4.00 - 7 pm - Dealers Open 8 - 10.15 pm - Public Show 10.30 pm - Buses return to city Sunday 9 - 9.30 am - Dealers Open 9.30 -11 am - Close-up Competition 11 - 11.30 - Tea Break - Dealers Open 11.30 - 12.30 - Jeff McBride Lecture 12.30 - 2 pm - Lunch Break - Dealers Open 2 - 3.00 pm - Gaetan Bloom Lecture 3 - 3.30 - Tea Break - Dealers Open 3.30 - 4.30 - Shoot Ogawa Lecture 4.30 - 5.30 pm - Dealers Open 5.45 pm - Buses return to city 8 pm - Banquet at the Arts Centre St. Kilda Rd. Melbourne Monday 9 -10 am - Dean Atkinson Lecture 10.15 -11.15am - Stage Competition I 11.15 -11. 45 am - Tea Break Dealers Open 11.45 -12.45 - Stage Competition II 12.30 - 1.30 pm - Lunch Break - Dealers Open 1.30 - 3 pm - Close-up Show 3 - 3.30 pm - Tea Break - Dealers Open 3.30 - 4.15 pm - Prizes & Special Presentations 4.30 -5.30 - Farewell Party - Bar Opens at the Besen Centre In Foyer 5.30 pm - Buses return to Victoria Hotel -------------------------------------------- 4. Meetings With Remarkable Magicians # 43 - Nick Lewin -------------------------------------------- Message from Nick Lewin (US) 'Hanky Panky' and beyond with Geno Munari. During the mid-eighties to the mid-nineties I was lucky enough to be performing on a very regular basis in Las Vegas. I was appearing in the various comedy clubs around town and I began to understand what made things tick in this highly unusual city. At one point everywhere you looked in town was an advertisement for 'Hanky Panky' a magic show that was playing at the small but vibrant San Remo Hotel/Casino. The advertisement featured a photograph of someone holding a card fan. Further manipulation appeared unlikely, as the cards seemed to be exploding into a sheath of flames! The hand holding those incendiary playing cards was none other than Geno Munari and he seemed to be everywhere in the Las Vegas press. I even remember a promotional photo of him hanging suspended upside down from the top of a building performing a card sword while bungee jumping! The downside to working in a Vegas comedy club was that you performed a seven-day week doing two shows a night and I never did catch 'Hanky Panky.' It wasn't until much later I got to know Geno and I discovered something that put Geno Munari squarely onto my list of Remarkable Magicians. It is no easy thing to keep a show running in Las Vegas and it takes a lot more than being a good magician: you need to be a darn good businessman too. You need to fill that showroom every day: in order to do that Geno Munari came up with my favorite bit of behind the scenes prestidigitation. One of the audience's that Munari welcomed with open arms to his show was bus tours of non-English speaking Asian tourists. Not an easy crowd to please. However they loved the show and came back in droves due to a brilliant piece of lateral thinking on Geno's part. When he was faced with a full house of foreigners Geno had a special trick up his sleeve. He took the earpiece transmitter unit he used for a mind reading segment and positioned an interpreter backstage who fed him lines in the audiences' native tongue. They loved the fact that Munari so effortlessly greeted and communicated with them in their own language and the result was a showroom filled with happy audiences. As soon as I heard this story I realized that there was a lot more to Mr. Munari than met the eye. There aren't enough real success stories in magic but Geno is one of them. Munari is now the owner of ten magic shops in Las Vegas and other prize locations. Just like 'Hanky Panky' he spotted an opportunity with potential and then did what it took to make it a success. He really has surpassed himself with his chain of 'Houdini's Magic Stores' and has turned his fun stores into a major entity in the magic world. I wonder how many people have developed an interest in magic due to purchasing a trick at one of his locations? Enough to keep our art chugging along comfortably for many a year I suspect! Please send any 'Bricks or Bouquets' to NickLewin@earthlink.net -------------------------------------------- 5. Going The Distance: Being More To Your Client - Kyle Peron -------------------------------------------- Message from By Kyle Peron E-Mail: Magic4u02@aol.com I wanted to take some time out to write about something that I like to call "Going the Distance". Basically I am asking you how far are you willing to go for your client and to perform the best that you can? I can only answer for myself, but to me, going the distance is far more than just showing up and doing a good show, getting my money and leaving. For me going the distance is all about being a professional entertainer on and off the stage and starts from the moment I make initial contact with the prospect to even far after I am done the performance. It is a shame to think that we magicians and performers are seen fairly low on the performing arts totem pole. This is just reality and it is often this mindset that our clients tend to have when they think about a magician. We often get stereotyped and they expect a certain thing or a certain person when really we know there is far more to it than that. So already going the distance seems like running a marathon before we even get to the starting gate. However, I am one magician who is willing to take on that marathon because I feel I am worth it, my client is worth it and the audience certainly is worth it. For without my audience, the magician is an awfully lonely person. My goal is to educate my client first when I have the opportunity to do so. It is not my client's fault that they may have this perceived impression about who I am or about what magicians are all about. They see things on TV and so they have an impression long before they call us. Regardless of whether this impression is right or wrong, we must be able to combat it in a way that educates our client without putting them down. I feel we can do that. The first step is changing the perceived impression the client may have in their heads as to what a magician is. We must first be able to listen to the client. Often times we are so much in a hurry to sell to them, that we forget to stop and listen to what they are saying. When we learn to listen, we can often get an idea about what they may THINK we are about and you may also get to understand their concerns. If I do not listen properly enough, then my client will only see me as another product. Instead of being Kyle Peron, I am seen as magician A, B or C. Well I do not know about you, but I take great pride in who I am and the services I provide to my clients. I strive to NOT be seen as just a product to them. Part of my going the distance is getting them to see me for who I am and for what I can do for them. So how do I escape from being seen as a product to them? By listening to their needs and by having the ability to both ASK and LISTEN. I listen first to hear and lock in on items I feel are a concern to them. I then ASK them questions that I need to know to try and meet their needs and find solutions for them. I am not just there to entertain only. For me, going the distance is about becoming a "solutions provider" for my client. I learn to listen and ask them questions so that I can understand what their needs are for their event. I can then offer the best solutions to solve their problems for them. In doing so, every time I solve a need or problem, their impression and my perceived value will increase ten-fold in my client's eyes. They will come back to me time and again because I am there to solve problems for them. It does make a huge difference and can change the impression they may have had when they first called you. Certainly you do not have to do this at all, but for me, going the distance means that I am there to change their impression of me and to educate them on just how different I am than anyone else they may be considering. Going the distance then also means being a professional the minute I pick up that phone to long after the show is over. When I pick up the phone, I must always be in the right state of mind. I may be having a cruddy day, but I must stop those attitudes from interfering on my professionalism when I talk to my prospects on the phone, in person or via e-mail. I strive to listen on the phone and to answer any questions that they may have and I take however long it takes to answer those questions in detail so that my client feels comfortable with what I will do for them and what I offer. I go the distance by sending them a confirmation letter in the mail to just simply confirm what we all agreed upon over the phone. This not only protects me but it shows my client that once again I am going well above and beyond what most others may not even do. It also serves as a way for them to feel more relaxed and comfortable knowing that the details are agreed upon by both parties before the event starts. I go the distance again the day before the event when I try and call just to confirm everything for the next days event. This is their chance to talk to me about any changes or any concerns that may have come up. Once again I am working on changing their perception of me by making them understand that I will do everything I can to make their event run smoothly and give them 100% effort. When I am at a gig, I always will act polite and professional no matter what. Even if I am not on stage or if no one is around me, I am polite to everyone I meet and everyone I talk to. I may be having a bad day, or the kids may be hyper, but that cannot distract me from going the distance and being a professional. You also never know who knows the client so it is always best policy to be polite and respectful to everyone you meet while at the gig. I go the distance once more by making sure I help the client in any way that I can. If I am done set up for the show, I always ask if there is something I can do to help them. If furniture needs to be moved for the show, I am the one to offer to help move it and I am also there to help move it back after the show is done. I always leave the place the exact way I found it. When the show is over, I go the distance by handing the client a thank you letter as my way of saying to them that I appreciate them having me there and that I take pride in the service I provide. I even give them an evaluation form as a way for them to grade me on just how well I have done. A professional is one who never stops learning and trying to improve him or herself. Now going the distance could stop right here. The gig is over, so why even bother to do anything more then collect your money and forget about it. Well for me personally, that is not good enough. If I want to go the distance, I need to remember the client long after I have done the show. I do so because going the distance also means never forgetting those folks who have used me in the past. They are valuable to me because they already know what I do and I hopefully have changed their impression about me and what I can provide. Why would I want to forget about them. Instead I get home and send them a thank you letter for having me there. I stay in contact with them throughout the year and invite them to my public performances. In this fashion I am keeping my name fresh in their minds. All of this to me is about myself as a performer willing to go the distance for my clients and not feeling like it is work and that it is a bother. To me it has become a habit and one in which I am proud of. I would like to just ask you all if you are willing to go the distance for your clients? If you are, then how have you gone the distance yourself? As always, I encourage you the readers to let me know your thoughts. So if you have any thoughts on my articles or suggestions or comments, please feel free to e-mail me directly at magic4u02@aol.com. I would love to hear from you. Kyle Peron Magician and Illusionist Graphic Designer and Illustrator (Specializing in Logo creation) www.kyleandkellymagic.com -------------------------------------------- 6. Site Certificate Not Found -------------------------------------------- Message from Timothy Dill-Russell Just received your latest Magic New Zealand (471). Tried to order the half-price special at $34.50 with Magic Marketing Center. The order page came up with my address and details already completed (?). Do not recall using them before. I checked the Verisign Authenticity Certificate which appeared OK but the Security Metrics Certificate was not found and a message came up as below. I want to purchase this offer but am hesitant to complete the form in view of the above (copy below). Please advise me that the site is secure and OK. All best wishes Tim Site Certificate Not Found We cannot find the Site Certificate you are looking for! Possible Reasons 1. The link on the referring web site may be incorrect. 2. Occasionally hosted sites or sites with bad reverse-dns lookups have information mismatches that need to be manually reviewed. If you suspect this is the case, please contact SecurityMetrics Support. 3. The referring web site may have had it's account terminated. 4. The referring web site may be fraudulent. If you suspect this is the case, please send an email to abuse@securitymetrics.com with the URL of the site in question. -------------------------------------------- 7. Ideas For Making My Business Card More Appealing? -------------------------------------------- Message from Adrian Smith (South Africa) I am looking for novel killer ideas for making my business card more appealing and a better marketing tool. Members can e-mail me at: adrian3@absamail.co.za -------------------------------------------- 8. Motivational Magic -------------------------------------------- Message from Steve Hart (US) Magic has found its way into the speaking, training, and in sales. Magicians are adapting their skills and finding a broad field of opportunities in what is called, "Motivational Magic." In 1986 Steve Hart began to experiment with his own style of "Motivational Magic." By the year 2000 Steve was working for several corporations, making big money presenting programs in the healthcare, financial, and sales. Since then he has trained over a hundred magicians the inside secrets to this industry. Several of his students have found success and enjoy work as motivational magicians. Steve has scheduled his next four hour seminars in North Hollywood, California on Tuesday, Feb.6th. Registration includes worksheets and two video CDs . Those attending will hear how Steve adapted his magic to illustrate a message, discovered the shortcuts in marketing, and how he quickly positioned himself as a motivational magician. For details and registration info go to: www.magic2motivate.com/workshops.htm -------------------------------------------- 9. Goodsell To Lecture At S.A.M Convention -------------------------------------------- Message from George Schindler - Dean - the Society of American Magicians January 9, 2007 - RG Smith has announced that David Goodsell will present his 'BEST OF M-U-M -PLUS!' lecture at the S A M Convention in Dallas. This lecture covers some of the magic he presented during his 30 year tenure as Editor of the magazine. With the permission of the contributors David Goodsell offers the best of the magic that entertains and mystifies audiences. David adds his own presentation and thoughts on each of the effects. Yes, this is magic you can do! You will be surprised at the impact of the material. This is the lecture that drew raves in Europe. See it in Dallas, July 4-5-6-7. -------------------------------------------- 10. Carney in Europe . March 2007 -------------------------------------------- Message from John Carney March 6 Brussels 8pm Université Libre de Bruxelles 50, av. F. Roosevelt, 1050 Brussels Building U, Door B, Level 4, Room #136 Contact: Jacky Kahan magiccafe@magiccafe.com Tel: +32 2 384 3323 March 7 Amsterdam 8pm Tricky Theater Restaurant Oosterdokskade, 10 1011 AE, Amsterdam Contact: Woedy Woet www.trickytheater.nl info@trickytheater.nl Tel: +31206269383 or Mob. +31655374773 March 9 Hamburg 8pm Castle of Magic arts MAGICULUM Max-Brauer-Allee 116, 22765 HAMBURG http://www.daszauberschloss.de/index.html Contact: Thomas E. Gundlach ThomasGundlach@wtnet.de Tel: 040/5293456 Mobile 0170/2923035 March 10 Berlin 7pm Café Schneider Frankenstr. 13 10781 Berlin (Schoeneberg) Contact: Fabio Behr, Magic Factory Berlin www.magic-factory-berlin.de info@magic-factory-berlin. Tel: +49 30 32534075 March 11 Dresden 7pm Schloss Schönfeld - Das Zauberschloss Am Schloss 2 01328 Dresden-Schönfeld Contact: Markus Teubert info@wunderganznah.de Tel: 0351 - 263 26 28 March 12 Frankfurt 8 pm MZvD - Frankfurt Offenbacher Landstrasse 460 60599 Frankfurt a. M. contact: Andreas Fleckenstein info@andreasfleckenstein.de Tel: 0049 6106 602420 or mobil: 0049 178 4580309 March 13 Nuremburg 8pm Zauberturm Nuremberg Contact: Stephan Kirschbaum stephan@handgemachte-wunder.de Meuschelstrasse 34 90408 Nuernberg Tel: +49 911 45 71 34 Mobil: + 49 171 89 97 007 March 14 Stuttgart 8pm Stadthalle Sindelfingen Parkrestaurant Schillerstr. 23 71065 Sindelfingen Contact: Rainer Pfeiffer Tel: +49 7141 905579 or/and Andy Häußler Tel: +49 7151 2037770 or +49 172 7443466 March 15 Munich 8pm Unterton-Theater Kurfürstenstr. 8 80798 Munich Contact: Thomas Frapps seminar@zauberwochen.de March 19 Zurich 8pm Roland Meister's MYSTERY-BAR Höhestrasse 87 8702 Zollikon http://mysterybar.ch/mysterybar/content/blogsection/1/20/lang,en/ Contact: Roland Meister mysterybar@mysterybar.ch Tel: +41 79 440 46 46 -------------------------------------------- 11. Fantasma Magic Launchers New Website - www.fantasmamagic.com -------------------------------------------- Message from Roger Dreyer CEO FANTASMA Fantasma Magic has announced the launch of their new website. www.fantasmamagic.com In addition to ecommerce, they have created a forum section where members can ask questions to Simon Lovell on cards and more, Angelo Carbone on inventing, Colin Rose on manufacturing and soon David Kaye on Children's magic. The Forum section will also keep the magic world abreast of the Fantasma contest with prizes over $5,000 US to the most creative magic concept incorporting Marvel Comic characters. Lectures coming up include Harry Lorayne on January 23rd and Doug Edwards on February 21st, Nathan Kranzo on March 28th and future lectures from Daryl and Borris Wild. Roger Dreyer CEO FANTASMA 421 7th Ave. 2nd floor New York, NY 10001 212 924 8345 www.fantasmatoys.com -------------------------------------------- 12. The Las Vegas Magic Invitational (LVMI) -------------------------------------------- Message from Danny Archer The Las Vegas Magic Invitational (LVMI) is an extremely worthwhile convention to attend on an annual basis. LVMI consistently brings in the top talent in the Magic Industry, from the up and coming stars to the veterans in magic, you will not be disappointed. Even the local Las Vegas underground magic scene comes out for this convention. Break out sessions, mini-workshops, and a variety of other really cool convention-making events take shape and form. This last year's (2006) LVMI they called Martin Gardner. That was awesome! I'm sure everyone in that room will never ever forget it. Lee Asher This year's event will take place on June 10-12, 2007 at the Palace Station Hotel in Las Vegas. Lecturers are; Jason England, Jon Armstrong, Jeff McBride, Wayne Dobson, Gaston Quieto and Gregory Wilson In addition to the stars listed above, you will find a who's who of the magic community hanging out and jammin' . The LVMI close-up convention featuring; Jeff McBride, Jason England, Gregory Wilson, Jon Armstrong, Wayne Dobson & Gaston Quieto is coming up June 10-12th, 2007 in Las Vegas .... LVMI for more info 1139 S. Brentwood Street Lakewood, CO 80232 303-321-6267 www.dannyarcher.com -------------------------------------------- 13. A Creative Magic Lecture/Teach-In Day -------------------------------------------- Message from Tony Griffith (UK) Tony Griffith will be holding another of his 'AT HOMES' aka A CREATIVE MAGIC LECTURE/TEACH-IN DAY at his home in Bristol, England on Sunday 7th October 2007. This is a day long event for those looking for a more in depth discussion and learning experience. The day runs from 10.30 a.m. until about 5 - 5.30 p.m. Registration £45 (£40 if booked before the 1st June 2007) and includes Morning Coffee, Buffet Lunch, and Light Tea. Numbers attending will not exceed 10 persons. The intimate nature of the group will ensure in depth coverage of items shown and will enable questions to be answered and discussed fully. An Aide Me-moire of the day plus some 'goodies' will also be included. For details and registration Tony Griffith can be reached at :- (a) Tel/Fax +44 (0) 1275 837017 (b) tony@tonygriffith.co.uk (C) 33 Davids Road, Whitchurch, Bristol. BS14 9JH, England. Previous registrants have come from as far afield as New Zealand, Spain, Northern Ireland as well as from every part of the UK. Each previous occasion has sold out well in advance, so early registration is advised. For reviews of previous such days log on to www.magicweek.co.uk and click on REVIEWS and scroll down to March 2006 and July 2003. Also at the same web site click on PROFILE to read more about TONY GRIFFITH's background. Further information about the content of the CREATIVE MAGIC DAY can be obtained by logging onto his web site www.tonygriffith.co.uk and click on CREATIVE MAGIC LECTURE and check out OPTION 2 ----------------- 14. Letter From Beris Quinn, Wife Of - 'The Great Franquin' ----------------- Message from Tommy Orchard (The Amazing Orchante)(UK ex-pat Kiwi) I had a very nice letter from Beris Quinn, wife of - 'THE GREAT FRANQUIN'; I have just telephoned and spoke to her and Pat (Franquin). They both gave me permission to publish the following extract from her personal letter to me: Hello Tom, Pat (Franquin) is very well but perhaps you did not know he is blind. This has denied him being able to read, write, enjoy his computer or watch television. Unfortunately, at 93 years of age, it is too late to learn new skills, such as Braille etc. About two years ago Pat had a small stroke which destroyed his long term memory, but fortunately it did not affect him at all physically; his hair is still jet-black, a feature of a gene in his family. He is still very active and interested in his business ventures. Pat joins me in sending you our kindest regards and Best Wishes for the New Year. Beris Quinn. PS for those of you who didn't know, 'Franquin' is MY personal hero. It was his book, 'Open your Mind - a Course on Hypnotism' (circa 1954) that kick-started me on my looooong journey down the 'Show-Biz' road... ----------------- 15. The Amazing Orchante Saga ----------------- Message from Tommy Orchard (The Amazing Orchante)(UK ex-pat Kiwi) Page 137 Eddie Low - A New Zealand Icon The Voice In A Million A Talent scout from an Australian booking agency arrived in New Zealand, on the lookout for singers to take back to Australia. Starting his nationwide search in Auckland City, he toured the whole country, finishing up back in Auckland, where the two best singers in the land were, right from the start - Eddie Low and John Rowles. He signed them up to a three-month contract; They left the band and flew out for Melbourne. That contract was extended for another three months. At the conclusion of the agreement, Eddie and John went to Sydney for a holiday, before returning home to New Zealand; but they stayed in Sydney and formed a band instead - 'THE SUNDOWNERS'. I wonder where they got that name from, a movie perhaps? The band members were two 'kiwis' - (Eddie and John), two Aussies and a Dutchman. A year later, John decided to go solo, and Eddie got an offer to join the fantastic 'QUINTIKIS' Show band. That's when the New Zealand public really started to notice Eddie Lowe, "The Boy with the Golden Voice", as he was known then. Eddie constantly toured back and forth between New Zealand and Australia with the 'Quintikis', and it was during a Country and Western tour of N.Z. that the late Joe Brown, famous N.Z. promoter and record producer - he ran the: 'Nationwide Radio Search For Stars' (which is where I got my start back in 1960), and the: 'Miss New Zealand Contests', asked Eddie if he would consider going solo, under his personal management. Eddie said he would think about it. 'THINK ABOUT IT'? Dear God! Every entertainer in New Zealand, without hesitation, would have given their 'eye teeth' for an offer like that, from Joe Brown! They produced a record on Joe's label - Eddie's first, it was: 'CRYING TIME'; then Eddie went back to Australia with the 'Quintikis'. In the meantime, Eddie's rendition of 'Crying Time' became an Instant Smash Hit, rocketing up the music charts at a phenomenal rate! Three months later, Eddie arrived back in New Zealand as a solo artist; A 'NEW STAR HAD BEEN BORN'! For years, the guiding light behind Eddie's success was Joe Brown, and his son Dennis, who took over the reigns of the 'Joe Brown Enterprises' Empire, when his famous father died. Joe Brown's strong conviction that New Zealand had the equal, if not the better of overseas talent, was borne out, not only by favourable agreement from visiting world famous entertainers, but also from strong public support. He had no trouble in arranging lucrative contracts for his artists - who performed in all the major entertainment Capitols throughout the world! Tonight, Eddie could be singing in a nightclub in Auckland, tomorrow at a dance in Invercargill. Next weeks engagements may include a weekend of stints in Fiji or Tahiti, or both, followed by a solid month or two working various clubs in Sydney Australia, which is now 'home' to Eddie, likewise many other N.Z. entertainers. That included ourselves, for 10 years, until we 'Stretched Our Wings' and departed for England. Most people think we were mad to leave the wonderful weather, the wide open spaces and blue skies of Australia ( Apart from the fact that we were only a hop, skip and a jump from New Zealand), for the infamous cold, damp, bone chilling weather and grey skies of England. But, I can't complain too much. Britain, in fact all of Europe, and beyond, has been very good to us. We have many friends here, and my 'brother' - Martin Baird (NOT by blood - BY choice), is as good a friend and mate as any Red-Blooded 'kiwi bloke' could ever hope for! Yes, I know, I've wandered off the beaten track - again! Eddie Low had conquered New Zealand and had become established throughout the South Pacific. Now, in 1973, he was ready, willing and invited, to Music City USA - Nashville Tennessee, to represent his country N.Z; to meet the finest talent in country music, to record in the top studios on music row and, to appear on the 'International Country Music Award Show' and also, as a Guest Artist on the famed: 'Grand Ole Opry show', in the Ryman Auditorium. CONTINUES NEXT WEEK! -------------------------------------------- 16. Magic New Zealand e-zine Archives -------------------------------------------- Back issues of the Magic New Zealand e-zine go to: www.watson.co.nz/fezine.html Both the User Name and Password MUST be entered in lower case to gain access. User Name: magic Password: kiwi When you enter the archive the e-zines are in issue order and are coded. Eg 001 Nov06 1999.txt first three numbers (001) denote issue number, then the date (Nov06) and the last figures the year (1999) -------------------------------------------- 17. Privacy Policy And Copyright Notice -------------------------------------------- Our subscriber list is NOT made available to any other companies or individuals. We value every subscriber and respect your privacy. You can subscribe to or unsubscribe from the Magic New Zealand® E-zine at www.watson.co.nz/fezine.html. Magic New Zealand® E-zine is published each Sunday. The opinions expressed therein are those of the individual contributors and not necessarily those of Magic New Zealand®. Neither Magic New Zealand® nor Alan Watson vouch for the accuracy or reliability of any opinion, message, statement, or other information reported via Magic New Zealand® E-zine. Subscribers to this publication and authors who contribute to it by doing so agree they will not hold Magic New Zealand® or Alan Watson, jointly or individually liable or responsible in any way for the opinions expressed therein. Magic New Zealand® reserves the right to alter, correct or disregard any articles submitted. Readers are encouraged to submit timely articles or news items which may be of interest to subscribers. By submitting articles to this e-zine, the authors grant Magic New Zealand® the right to publish such articles and such authors confirm their copyright of the material submitted. All works published by Magic New Zealand® are protected by international copyright legislation and articles must not be published for profit by anyone other than the individual authors without the written permission of Magic New Zealand®. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this publication may be freely redistributed, but not sold, to other magicians if copied in its entirety, including the copyright notice below and the above disclaimer. © Copyright 2007 Alan Watson