-MEET A MEMBER-

Larry Johnson recalls the first magic show that he ever saw on television. It was a staple of the Saturday morning airways which debuted on October 1, 1960. It was called the "Magic Land of Allakazam" and featured Mark Wilson, a Dallas area magician. Dallas was also where Larry spent his early childhood years. His interest in magic lead him to one of the top magic shops in the country, Lyle Douglas' Douglas Magicland.

Since Larry actually lived a good distance from the magic shop (12 miles), he had to save enough money to take the bus to the shop and then would usually purchase one effect and ride the bus back home. Then, it was performance time, as he would show his newest wonder to the family and
friends.

As Larry progressed with his magic career, he was asked to perform for his grandson's birthday party. With a magic set that he had purchased from Hobby Lobby and some of those early tricks that he had purchased at Douglas' Magicland, he had a successful show.

With the applause he received, he was hooked, and ready for bigger and better things. He decided to find a magic club in the Central Texas area and found one in Austin. It was here that he met Roger Gorss and the two became good friends.

He participated in lectures, club meetings, shows, and picnics with the two Austin clubs. He even began begging to perform at meetings to sharpen his magic skills. He first went public by performing with John Maverick in a bar. Although Larry does not frequent bars, he learned a lot by watching John perform in that environment.

His first paid gig came when he worked for a lady from the Chamber of Commerce whose granddaughter was having a party. Roger and Stephanie Gorss attended the event offering encouragement and taking pictures of the new professional magician. His first stage show followed when he performed for 70 senior adults. Roger and Stephanie continued to support Larry as he moved on to perform at Pizza Hut where he added balloon animals to his act. According to Larry, "I was making enough money to pay for the gas and not much else, but I was loving it".

Larry finally arranged a family night at two different Applebees and performed there for a two year period. Although he did not mention this, I know that Larry has been a
featured performer at the Austin Magic Camp. Now that he is semi-retired, he says that his favorite groups to perform for are senior adults and church groups. He also says that they are certainly appreciative of your efforts and talent.

In the meantime, Larry has started a third magic club in the Central Texas area. It is called, NAOAMC, which stands for Not Another Austin Magic Club. The reason? That club is about 70 miles north of Austin in Temple, Texas. He ends this story, by saying "I hope you can visit our club in
Temple one day". They meet on the 4th Monday of the month. So, now every Monday is full of magic. There is Assembly 206, the IBM Ring, and the Fellowship of Christian Magicians that meet the other three Mondays!