June 4th is Always Special

June 4th is Always Special

Today is the 30th Anniversary from graduating from high school. On June 4, 1982 the Graduating Class of Hazelwood Central was suppose to have the ceremony outside on the football field. But due to the rain, we had to move inside the hot gym. I just remember sitting in that hot gym, listening to Steve Price give the Valedictorian Speech, and thinking this would be the last time I would ever graduate from anything.

Over the past 30 years June 4th has been a day for other exciting events. I purchased my first new car on June 4th. My very first home was purchased on June 4th. Even today 30 years later, June 4th has proven to be a great day.

Tonight I was asked to perform my magic and ventriloquism act for a couples 40th wedding anniversary. As the gentleman was writing my check before the show, he told me to "give trouble" to the guy in the green shirt. As long as he was paying, I fully intended to do what I was told. So I put the check in my pocket, and guaranteed the gentleman I would follow his request.

I opened my show by asking the man in the green shirt for a dollar bill from his wallet. He provided the dollar bill, folded it like a hot dog bun, and ran it through his hair to get static electricity in the bill. I then levitated the bill right in front of him. His wife gasped, and a few people said some words I won't print. The audience then applauded, and I handed the gentleman back his dollar bill.

30 years ago as I was graduating high school, the St. Louis Cardinals were working hard to win the World Series. With the help of Cardinals Manager Whitey Herzog they were able to win the World Series 4-3 against the Milwaukee Brewers. Whitey Herzog managed the Cardinals from 1980 thru 1990. On July 25, 2010 he was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame, and 7 days later, in his honor, the Cardinals retired his number "24". Thanks for the memory tonight Whitey, and thanks for not asking if I was a Cardinals fan? You wouldn't like the answer.

Keep Living The Dream

Mike

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In The Beginning

I hear everyone talking about the blog they have created. So I decided to start writing my own blog. I have never been much for journaling, or expressing my thoughts on paper. Right now I feel like Doggie Housier M.D. at the end of the show typing his thoughts. Since I have no thoughts to type, this process is becoming very difficult. So here it goes:
My acting career began at the age of 4. My first big role was playing an "extra" on the popular children's show "Uncle Al" on channel WCPO in Cincinnati Ohio. In 1968 the Uncle Al Show was a big deal. Unfortunately, I had to share the spot light with my sister, two cousins, and 50 other children. My cousin Gary still brags about standing next to Uncle Al for the picture.

I was 8 years old when I saw my first magic show at Six Flags over Texas. At that moment, I knew I wanted to be a magician. Since I had no magic tricks, I begged Santa Clause to give me a "magic set" for Christmas. I was a very good boy that year, so Santa Clause granted me my Christmas wish. Immediately, I had to ask my Dad for some help because the instructions were extremely difficult to read. Then, after ten minutes of  practice, I was ready to perform. Honestly, my success with magic was not immediate.

While watching the TV sitcom "Soap", Chuck (Jay Johnson) and Bob inspired me to become a ventriloquist. Unfortunately, I was on the wrong "list" that year, and unable to ask Santa Clause for a puppet. Therefore, drastic measures were required to purchase a puppet. I found myself shoveling a lot of snow off driveways that winter. But, after a lot of back breaking work, I purchased my first ventriloquist puppet.
My first major performance was with my cousin Gary (a clown) in Cincinnati Ohio, on Thanksgiving Day 1977. The sequestered audience was packed into Grandma's sitting room, waiting for the dinner bell to ring. The show was so successful, Gary and I were booked for the next 2 years for the annual pre-dinner "Thanksgiving Day Show".

I began performing professionally as a magician and ventriloquist when I was 15. As a senior in high school, I was approached by Kelly Girl's Inc to perform at both Children's Hospitals in the St. Louis area for St. Patrick's Day. Since the local news stations were invited, this opened the door to perform for other corporate and civic events.

See you out and about.

Mike