The love of magic is often credited as something that brings people of different origins, ideals and views together. It is the glue that bonds us allowing us to put aside our political views, and religious preferences to satisfy the urge of bewilderment-even if only for a few moments…

This is also true of relationships, as had it not been for magic, I doubt I would have had the privilege of getting to know Tony Daniels. I got to know Tony through GeMiNi: The Greater Magic Network, which was one of the first magician’s online sites for interaction, exchanges of ideas and fellowship.

This interview is particularly special to me, because while I have been involved with previous interviews with other respected performers, all of them were introduced to me by my father, Joe. This is the first time in my tenure at Stevens Magic that I have the chance to work with someone that I met "first!" HA! How bout that dad!

Equally enjoyable for me, is the fact that I have watched and known Tony prior to his success…when he was just dreaming about it. Now-almost 10 years later, it’s great to be able to have witnessed Tony’s rise to success as one of California’s premiere children’s entertainers.

Watching Tony perform is like watching an aerobics session-he is hyper-kinetic, ultra-energetic and profoundly positive! His show is part magic part workout! Essential to any children’s performer is their ability to connect with the children-and Tony does just that!

Here are some quick Q&A’s from one of Magic’s leading children’s entertainers…

MS: "Well, I have to ask; how did you first learn about magic? Is it true you were kidnapped as a child by a band of traveling gypsy magicians who flew you to Europe where you studied in the arts of pick-pocketing and magic, (and then traveled Europe living the life of a grifter and magician?)"

TD: "Wow -I wish it was that exciting, and I’m sorry to let you down, but when I was five years old, I saw a magician at my local library in Pennsylvania. After the show the librarian asked what I thought of the show and I was so excited. She then took me over to the magic books and I was hooked. Growing up in a small town in Pennsylvania, there were no magic shops, I didn’t even know at that time they existed. So I read every book I could find. I did like your version though!"

MS: "Did you have any idea that 30 years later you would be performing magic professionally in those same libraries?"

TD: "No! But that is a trip and your scaring me! You’re not going to bring out the librarian that helped me from behind the curtain are you? HA!"

MS: "Okay, let’s talk about competition, specifically other magicians. I’m told you don’t ascribe too much toward ‘protectism’ (keeping your ideas and routines secret from your competition), or even emulation. Some performers go to great lengths not reveal their secrets to their competitors, but you seem to follow a different approach-aren’t you worried or concerned about competition?"

TD: "Well for many years I also managed a Blockbuster Video while trying my hand at doing magic fulltime. One day I thought, ‘I keep turning down shows on the weekend because of this job. I wonder what would happen if I quit.’ I was also very lucky because I had a spouse who was very supportive and had a lot of faith in my talents and me.
The first two years were the hardest, trying to get established, finding the right markets and marketing myself to get booked enough to pay the bills."

MS: "Some people think if they can just ‘breakthrough’ and get an identity as a performer, they will be set, and the rest is like ‘cruise control.’ What are your thoughts and experiences? Does it really get any easier?"

TD: "Even if you ‘breakthrough’ you still need to market constantly. Once you stop, so will your shows. Even if you have a faithful base you need to keep marketing and stay on top of the competition. So, it’s the same amount of work really, but the benefit is at that point you have actually developed relationships with many of the people responsible for booking you. If you have done your job right, they respect that, they know they can count on you. Thus, you have an advantage over someone they have never booked before. But promotion and marketing is a 24-hour machine that never runs out of gas!"

MS: "Are there any parts that actually get harder once you became established? In other words, did you reach an impasse or point in which you had already digested and dealt with the major leads in your immediate area?"

TD: "I’ll answer the leads part first- while it’s no longer virgin territory (in terms of fresh leads)-the benefit is I have relationships with these people instead of just a name. Additionally, these challenges are healthy, because they make you want to expand beyond your territory. So, no, I don’t run out of leads and I also have the benefit of relationships where I had none before. The challenge as a performer is you need to keep up with what is popular and keep your show up-to-date. One of the ways I do this is to change out half of my show every year. There are certain routines that are very popular and those routines I keep. I learned that the hard way. People saying hey you didn’t do this and you didn’t do that."

MS: "Yes-that is an interesting point- we sometimes get overly concerned and work hard to have a completely different show on a repeat gig, only to find the kids were really looking forward to many of the effects you performed the first time. What are your thoughts on this?"

TD: "I have a comedy rope escape that I have been performing since I was seven years old… I decided one day, it’s time to give it a rest. What a lesson I learned, you know what all the kids were saying after the show – ‘Where’s that rope trick?’ Just because you may be tired of it-doesn’t mean the audience is-and after all you are there for them!"

MS: "You mentioned keeping up with what is popular-how do you do this? Is this information gleaned primarily from your audience?"

TD: "A lot of it does come from the kids-yes, no question. Performers need to be good listeners so when you are setting up and breaking, (those periods between performances), my ears are wide-awake. If you’re going to be a children’s performer, you need to really tune into them. As far as research goes, I often go to music, toy and bookstores. I focus on the displays and the amount of shelf space devoted to a particular children’s book, or theme. That often is my barometer as to what is going to be hot! Also, I often have to modernize some of my jokes. For example when the Back Street Boys were popular, I had a joke with them. Recently I had added Britney Spears to update the joke. So, again it’s about staying current."

MS: "Okay, let’s address those hecklers -how do you deal with them?"

TD: "Well if you start with a good control factor right from the start you really don’t have a problem most of the time. Timing is everything-once again-you have to address this situation immediately! For example, I always say ‘How many of you guys like magic? How many would like to help today?’ And of course, all the hands usually go up…right there I am establishing a sense of control. ‘Here’s how I choose my helpers-I only pick the boys and girls that are sitting on their bottom, sitting up straight and being VERY quiet and have a BIG smile on their face!’ I know some performers like to bring up those heckling kids, as a way to deal with it, but personally, I think you are rewarding a negative behavior, as well as setting a precedent-kids are smart and if Johnny gets center stage because he was heckling, then watch out! Also you need to be a kid too…if you are having fun so will they."

MS: "When you say, "be a kid too" what do you mean?"

TD: "When I first started out I made the mistake of being too serious-then I realized while performing being a little silly gets more laughs, puts them and me, at ease and they can relate to you better! In other words, become a BIG KID!"

MS: "Where do you get your inspiration? (performers you admire)"

TD: "There are so many. The biggest influence was when I was a kid and watching Mark Wilson’s Magic Circus. It was such a thrill the day I actually met Mark and Nani for the first time."

MS: "Where does Tony Daniels see himself professionally in the future?"

TD: "Good Question. I hope to still be working around the country performing at schools, libraries, malls, etc. I also hope to find time to do more lectures and create things to help other performers."