About John Bushey
I started learning
magic from Scarne's Book of Card Tricks when I was about 6 years
old. While still in Jr. High School I got my first job as a
demonstrator at a Duluth, MN magic shop called Bruno's Costumes and
Magic. It was there I met Terry Roses and begin taking magic
lessons. Now, almost 40 years after beginning magic, and 36 years
after I began collecting, I am still as enthused and excited as ever
when I obtain a new piece for the collection, learn a new trick, or
have the chance to get together with the friends I've made over the
years.
Considered a master of
sleight-of-hand, John uses strong misdirection, a charismatic
personality, and a humorous performing style when doing his close-up
magic. His stage show is a recreation of a show Houdini might
have done in the early part of the 20th century. With a great
deal of audience participation, the
show is
filled with a comedic style of vaudeville that will both amaze
and entertain.
He started
collecting memorabilia pertaining to escapes, escape artists, and
Houdini at the age of 10. His collection ranks as one of the best
in
the country. He lectured, performed, and taught
magic and
escapology for 16 years prior to becoming a
teacher in 2001. His versatility and ability to perform under
any
circumstances and for any size event keep him in high demand.
Pertaining to his
collecting, it's not so much about obtaining rare or unusual pieces for
the collection, but being able to share the stories and finds with the
many friends he's made over the years. Several years ago, many
collectors started gathering in Indianapolis, IN at the annual Padlock
Collector's Convention. This evolved into an annual Escape Artist
Convention put on by Mark and Sheila Cannon of Cannons Great Escapes.
So, we gather now each October in Ontario, CA and have a great deal of fun
catching up. I'd like to thank my friends for all they've done
over the many years; Joe Fox, Fred Pittella, Ian Mccoll, Stan
Willis, Mark Lundblad, Mark Lyons, Joe Lauer, Gordon Gluff, Michael Griffin, Dean
Gunnarson, Mark Mitton, Terry Roses, Elliot Cutler, Bruce
Thompson, and all the more recent friends I've made at the conventions.
