............................WELCOME!......................... Welcome to a new order of magic in Texas. This newsletter is designed to foster a renewed fellowship among Texas magicians.  Through communication and sharing, we will revive the excitement and thrill we each felt when we first learned of this wonderful secret world that is "magic". The vastness of our State and the varied interests of our members can enrich us all through the exchange of ideas and experiences.  Please contribute your stories and insights.  If you'd rather not receive this monthly newsletter, please scroll to the bottom of the page for an automatic opt-out. In This Issue: The President's Message Get to Know Your TAOM Board Magic Around Texas Spotlight on Houston 2009 Convention Updates Final Thoughts The President's Message Greetings.  My name is Scott Hollingsworth.  I am honored to serve as   president of TAOM during 2008-2009.  I hope to meet each of you personally.  Until then, here's a bit of my magical history.  My childhood interest in magic evolved into an educational background in theatre and then into  sales with Gulf Oil for 15 years, where I was District Manager in the Southwest Region.  When Magic Island opened in Houston in 1982, I gave up the corporate world to live my dream in an Egyptian palace of magic and mystery.  As Entertainment Director and Resident Magician, I have fulfilled my ambition to perform and help other performers along the road to success.  I have coached some of the world's most successful...and not so successful... magicians.   My personal philosophy is that every person should have lofty goals and that the power is inherent in all people to attain  those goals.  Achieving my goal to become president of TAOM gives me deep satisfaction and I promise to do my best to uphold the traditions and standards of this great organization.                                                          ***** Fort Worth 2008 - WOW!  It was great with high-quality shows,  excellent organization, and the wonderful ambiance of Fort Worth's Sundance Square.  Go to   http://www.themagiccafe.com/forums/viewtopic.php?topic=275213&forum=170&0  for Scott Well's excellent detailed review of the entire convention.  It is well-worth the read. Congratulations, 2008 TAOM Contest Winners!  Following TAOM tradition, we invite these performers to be part of the Houston 2009 convention:   Senior Close-up winner Michael Williams of Coppell; Club winner Masami Ishizawa of Niiza, Saltama, Japan; Comedy winner Michael Tallon of San Antonio; and Senior Stage winner Rachael Dunn of Houston.   Here's to their continued success! Best wishes, also, to Fumio Inagaki of Tokyo, Japan, who was this year's sole recipient of the Order of Willard. Houston, Austin, and San Antonio will have to raise their bars to meet the high standard set by 2008 TAOM President Randy Keck and his outstanding team. Get to Know Your TAOM Board TAOM Vice President Hull Youngblood is a corporate attorney who  turned his childhood fascination with magic into a dedicated commitment to our art.  His 40-plus years as a performer have laid a solid foundation for his rise to prominence in Texas and international magic organizations.  He currently serves as the Presient of Austin's award-winning Assembly 206 of the Society of American Magicians (the second largest Assembly in the world), is Chairman of  the SAM Insurance Committee, is a member of the SAM National Council, and sits on the Advisory Board of the SAM National Magic Center Foundation.  Hull is a member of Austin’s Ring 60 and his “home” magic club, San Antonio’s Ring 18.        Hull has an extensive magic collection, some of which is displayed in his wonderfully magical law office in a downtown Austin high-rise.  Posters of Thurston and Raymond grace the walls, making the prefect backdrop for a beautiful performance table.  A spotlight focused on the table turns his office into a mini magic theatre, Hull’s Austin TAOM Convention team is already making plans to assist Houston in 2009, then bring Austin to the forefront for the TAOM convention in 2010.   Magic Around Texas Texas A & M University is famous for many things – the Aggies, the 12th Man, Kyle Field, the annual bonfire, excellence in academics in the 250  degree programs in ten colleges, and over 800 student organizations.  One of those organizations was created by Houston’s own Ben Jackson.  Ben, a senior Biomedical Science major, started A & M’s first instructional magic club when he was a freshman. With over thirty members, the Brotherhood of Aggie Magicians (B.A.M.), is one of the few student-run  magic organizations at a major university.   Ben credits his mentor with the development of his skills and style and encouraging his endeavors in teaching other collegian magicians.  Members of B.A.M benefit from Ben’s experience as well as lectures given by such ”real world” working professionals as Michael Ammar, Scott Hollingsworth, Daniel Garcia, Nathan Kranzo, Scott Wells, Tyler Wilson, Jamie Salinas, and Andi Gladwin.  He has performed at The Magic Castle  in Los Angeles, where he won the Strolling Olympics  competition in 2008.  He performs frequently at Magic Island, Houston’s premier five-star  dinner theatre.  Ben won the 2007 Texas Association of Magicians Close-up Contest.  He will be featured as a professional close-up entertainer at the 2009 TAOM convention. An article published in the College Station newspaper prompted a Houston TV station to interview Ben.  You can see some great magic Ben performed during that interview at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pRE5aI9V_eQ   Ben is a prime example of the blending of traditional magic skills with the avant-garde approach to magic of the future. Spotlight on Houston Houston is very fortunate to have a strong team of multi-talented magicians willing to contribute their leadership and skills to making the 2009 Texas Association of Magicians convention a spectacular  magical happening. Convention Chairman, Dick Olson     Registrar and Treasurer, Judy Donaldson                              Performers and Special Events, Trixie Bond                           Dealers, Scott Wells   Contest, Jamie Salinas Advertising and Promotion, Gene Protas Production Director, Doug Kornegay Stage Manager, Phil Kampf Youth Activities, Braeden Webmaster, Robert Smith         ...and a cast of thousands!                 During the coming months, we will shine the spotlight on several of our team leaders.  2009 Convention Update The stars come out for TAOM and TOAM 2009 in Houston will uphold that tradition.  We have already booked many of the top names in the business and are talking to others.  Dealers from around the world will offer their wares.  A special late night session with Banachek and an after -hours Side Show Circus are extra added attractions.  Youths will be treated to several events just for the young crowd.  All these exciting events will take place at the magnificent Omni Riverway Resort.  Free transportation will be available to area eateries and shopping, including the Galleria.  Complete convention information and secure registration available at www.taom2009.com Make your reservations today.   The sooner you register the better your reserved seating assignment will be.  Final Thoughts Hurricane Ike’s devastation of areas in and around Houston has proven the caring and concern of magicians for each other and their communities.  We’ve heard from many, many magicians reporting on their welfare and that of fellow-magicians who were without power and  the means to communicate.  It renews one’s faith in human nature to hear of so many instances of friends helping friends with creature comforts and survival necessities.  We are, indeed, blessed to be part of such a close-knit group of associates who step up to the plate when need rears it ugly head.  Personal thanks to all of you who have inquired about the welfare of those affected.  The offers of help and moral support from magicians around the world are truly gratiifying.  Thank you.                                                                       ***** Magicians the world over were saddened to learn of the death of your friend and mine, Roger Klause.  Roger's innovations in the early years of TAOM established the tradition of a midnight close-up conclave that has evolved into a marvelous forum called "Roger Klause's Midnight Madness".  This year's gathering was filled with poignant tributes to this great magician.  You can read my personal tribute to this dear, dear friend at http://www.themagicedge.com/articles/art/where_have_all_the_good_guys_gone.htm                                                                      ***** I hope you've enjoyed the first edition of this newsletter.  Please let me hear from you about any magic happenings in your area you'd like to share.  I hope to meet each of you personally when I visit the various clubs throughout the state during the coming year.  To your contnued success, Scott Hollingsworth