Talent
John Bannon
John hit the scene in the early 90s with the smash hit books, Impossibilia (1990) and Smoke & Mirrors (1992), followed by his best-selling trick Twisted Sisters (1993). His book, Dear Mr. Fantasy (2005) is widely hailed as one of the best magic books of that decade. His collections High Caliber (2013), Destination Zero (2015), and Mentalissimo (2016), had enthusiastic receptions and quickly sold out.
In 2009, John teamed up with the stylish production company, Big Blind Media, to make the popular videos, Bullets After Dark, Bullet Party, Fire When Ready, Fractalicious, and the innovative Sizzle. Their epic, four-volume project, Move Zero, has set a new standard on self-working card magic.
Now ending its eighth year, John’s cutting-edge Genii column, “Dealing With It,” continued to highlight his streamlined, yet elegant card magic.
John’s highly acclaimed 2023 card trick collection, Very Hush-Hush, sold out in a matter of weeks. Now in its third printing, it continues to captivate card aficionados worldwide.
In addition to his published collections, John has lectured throughout the United States, Europe, and Asia—achieving a truly international reputation. If you do any card magic, you most likely do at least one of his tricks.
John has been screwing around with playing cards for fifty years. He thinks he knows what he’s talking about. And, he still has a few tricks up his sleeve.
Caesar
Caesar is a Houston-based magician and mentalist whose performances blend impossible coincidences with mind-blowing magic
Eric DeCamps
Eric DeCamps is the personification of a magician.
Debonair and engaging, enchanting and mystifying—his performances are filled with compelling stories and stunning visual artistry. With a signature style of intimate conjuring, Mr. DeCamps invites his audience to become part of the performance, leading them step by step through moments that defy explanation.
He is one of only two magicians in the 123-year history of the Society of American
Magicians to be awarded the Gold Medal of Excellence for Close-Up Magic. His
accolades also include the Milbourne Christopher Foundation Award, Backstage
Magazine’s Bistro Award for Variety Artist of the Year, the New York Magic Conference
Lifetime Achievement Award, the 2023 4F MVP, and the distinction of being
named Guest of Honor at the 2025 4F Convention.
Jared Kopf
Jared Kopf is a multi-talented magician, mentalist, and sleight-of-hand expert based in Dallas, Texas. He is highly regarded in the magic community for his technical precision and his philosophical approach to the craft, often blending magic with elements of history, religion, and science.
Armando Lucero
Armando Lucero is a sleight-of-hand artist whose work explores the boundary between perception and reality. Performing for audiences around the world—from theaters and television to intimate, close-up settings—his approach to magic is not simply to entertain, but to reveal how the mind constructs what it believes to be real.
His performances have appeared in productions such as The Illusionists 1903, Las Vegas shows, international television programs in Europe and Asia, cruise lines, and theaters and universities across the United States and abroad. Yet, despite these large stages, Lucero has consistently favored the immediacy of close-up performance, where the experience becomes personal, direct, and unforgettable.
Lucero’s work is rooted in what he describes as perceptual engineering—the deliberate shaping of attention, memory, and expectation to create experiences that feel impossible. While grounded in sleight-of-hand, his performances extend beyond technique into a deeper exploration of human awareness. Each piece is constructed through years of experimentation, where intuition and structure meet: part art, part science.
His interest in this work began at the age of six, when his brother made a marble vanish and reappear in his hands. The mystery of the method fascinated him—but it was the realization that the mind could be guided to see what was not there that set him on a lifelong path. That moment continues to inform his work today.
Over time, Lucero’s investigations have drawn the interest of not only magicians, but also individuals from fields such as psychology, neuroscience, engineering, and the arts—those who recognize that the principles behind deception and perception extend far beyond the stage. Through performance and teaching, he shares a body of work that offers both astonishment and insight, including through his ongoing project, The Hungry Imagination (thehungryimagination.com).
Unlike traditional magic, which often emphasizes spectacle, Lucero’s performances are composed with restraint and precision. The goal is not to overwhelm, but to create a moment where the impossible feels quietly undeniable—where the audience is left not with a puzzle to solve, but with an experience they cannot fully explain.
At its core, his work asks a simple question:
If perception can be guided so easily, what else might we be missing?
Mike Pisciotta
Mike Pisciotta is an acclaimed performer based in Los Angeles, CA and serves as the resident magician for the world famous Magic Castle in Hollywood. Mike creates powerful, beautiful moments of mystery, and his performances leave the viewer with a profound sense of wonder.Mike is recognized by his peers as one of the greatest performing magicians today, and is a two time winner of the prestigious “Close-Up Magician of the Year” award for the Academy of Magical Arts.
Jake & David Rangel
Dave and Jake Rangel are a Houston-based father-and-son magic team known for blending classic magic with a modern theatrical style. Their performances combine sleight-of-hand, illusion, and mind reading with humor and storytelling, creating shows that feel both timeless and fresh.
Dave Rangel began performing magic as a teenager and has spent more than two decades studying the craft. Influenced by the great performers of magic’s golden age, his style reflects a love of classic stage magic, strong presentation, and the traditions of vaudeville-era showmanship. Dave’s work focuses on creating memorable moments of astonishment while keeping the audience at the center of the experience.
Jake Rangel represents the next generation of the art. As a mentalist and interactive performer, Jake brings a contemporary energy to the stage. His performances feature mind reading, psychological illusions, and audience participation that create moments that feel personal and impossible at the same time.
Together, Dave and Jake share a natural chemistry that comes from performing as both family and creative partners. Their show blends two styles of magic into one experience classic illusion and modern mentalism delivered with warmth, humor, and a genuine connection with the audience.
The duo has performed for audiences across Texas and beyond, appearing at major venues and cultural institutions including the Houston Texans, the Houston Zoo, and the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. Their work highlights magic as a living performance art that can bring people together across generations.
In addition to their live performances, Dave and Jake host the YouTube series Father & Son Issues, where they talk about comic books, pop culture, and the shared interests that inspired their creative partnership. And be sure to check out their lecture available at Penguin Magic.
Whether performing close-up magic or full theatrical shows, Dave and Jake Rangel continue to share their love of wonder with audiences of all ages.
Chip Romero
For more than four decades, Chip Romero has been captivating audiences
around the world with his unique brand of Magic! Recognized as one of the
premier cruise ship magicians in the industry, with well over a thousand weeks at sea, Chip has headlined aboard all major cruise lines, and for a period of time, had the largest illusion show afloat in the world.
Beyond the stage, Chip is widely respected as a magic historian, lecturer, and collector. He is known for preserving the legacy of the legendary magician Doug Henning. Chip has the largest collection of Henning artifacts in the world. His exhibits and presentations have been featured internationally at major magic
conventions.
Whether sharing stories from a lifetime in show business, presenting historic
treasures from magic’s past, or inspiring fellow magicians with his knowledge and enthusiasm, Chip Romero continues to be a driving force in the art of magic. His career reflects a rare combination of world-class performance experience,
historical preservation, and an enduring passion for sharing the wonder.
Jamie Salinas
Jamie Salinas is an award-winning magician celebrated for his mastery of sleight-of-hand and his ability to turn the impossible into unforgettable reality. A featured performer at the world-famous Magic Castle in Hollywood, California, Jamie’s sophisticated blend of artistry and illusion has dazzled audiences across the globe.
With performances for royalty, celebrities, and both American and foreign presidents, Jamie’s reputation for creating moments of pure astonishment precedes him wherever he performs. His work has been showcased on American and international television, earning him acclaim as one of the most refined and respected magicians in modern magic.
A two-time “Magician of the Year” honoree in Houston, Texas, Jamie Salinas continues to raise the bar for live entertainment—combining elegance, mystery, and charisma into a performance that leaves audiences questioning what’s possible.
Paul Vigil
Paul began practicing magic at age five and turned professional just ten years later, quickly becoming one of the most sought-after performers in Salt Lake City. In 2002, he moved to Las Vegas, where he established himself as a top-tier entertainer.
A multiple-time “Magic Trick of the Year” winner, Paul is also a respected creator and lecturer, sharing his ideas with magicians worldwide. He has performed at major Las Vegas casinos, the world-famous Magic Castle, and for distinguished audiences including Fortune 500 CEOs and Nobel Laureates.
Paul has appeared on television, including Penn & Teller: Bullshit! and Penn & Teller: Fool Us. Known for both his intelligence and engaging personality, he blends sophisticated magic with interactive experiences that connect effortlessly with any audience.
Geoff Williams
A three-time “Magician of the Year” through the International Brotherhood of Magicians, Geoff is a full-time professional entertainer who has won over two dozen comedy and magic awards over his 35+ year career.
He’s performed shows and trained magicians in over 18 countries and throughout most of the U.S.
From 1997 to 2009, Geoff wrote many “Top Ten Lists” for “The Late Show with David Letterman” and is a performing member of the world-famous Magic Castle in Hollywood.
This means Geoff is the PERFECT CHOICE to add hilarious, CLEAN, astounding, and MEMORABLE entertainment to your next event.
His magic shows are high energy, family-friendly and suitable for all ages (no off-color material). With lots of audience interaction, this act plays very big without having to rely on bulky, “suspicious-looking box” tricks.
Geoff also specializes in close-up, strolling illusions (some which happen right in the spectators’ hands).
Geoff is one of the elite members of the ultra-exclusive 4F Convention, a “by invitation ONLY” gathering of some of our planet’s best and most-respected sleight-of-hand artists (which includes, among others, AGT winner Shim Lim, mentalist Max Maven, and Justin Willman).
John Shryock & Mari Lynn
John Shryock and Mari Lynn will be joining us for an OVER THE TOP weekend at the 2026 TAOM Convention in Houston Texas!
They have amazed audiences worldwide with their award-winning magic and elegant illusions. John, recognized as one of today’s premier sleight-of-hand artists, has performed at Caesars Magical Empire in Las Vegas, on cruise ships, and for years to sold-out crowds at Warren & Annabelle’s in Maui. Mari Lynn brings charm, grace, and dynamic stage presence, making their partnership a perfect blend of skill and style. Together, they create unforgettable moments filled with laughter, wonder, and amazement. From intimate theaters to grand stages, John and Mari Lynn deliver world-class entertainment that leaves audiences spellbound.
Scott Wells
Scott Wells will be one of two guest of honor this year.
With a background in magic that spans over 50 years, Scott Wells is a full-time performer, publisher, author, dealer, teacher, lecturer, consultant, collector, designer, artist, podcaster, traveler, and friend to magicians the world over. He is a co-founder of two I.B.M. Rings, and he served on the I.B.M. Board of Trustees and was the Chairman of the Convention, Facilities and Site Selection Committees for the I.B.M.
Scott is a life member of the I.B.M. as well as the Society of American Magicians (S.A.M.) and of London’s Magic Circle where he holds the degree of Member of the Inner Magic Circle (M.I.M.C.) with Gold Star. He was the President of the Texas Association of Magicians when he chaired the 2000 annual convention in Dallas, TX, and he is a four-time winner of the Houston’s prestigious “Magician of the Year” award, Nominee for Best Magic Podcast and Best Newsletter in the World by F.I.S.M. Italy 2026, Recipient of Special Award of Merit from the Academy of Magical Arts, and selected as the Ambassador of Magic by the Milbourne Christopher Award panel.
Scott Hollingsworth
When Scott Hollingsworth takes the stage, audiences know they’re in for more than just a magic trick—they’re in for an experience. One moment he’s tearing a $100 bill to shreds, the next it’s back in one piece, leaving a room full of magicians and laypeople shaking their heads and smiling. That combination of astonishment and joy has defined Scott’s career for decades, making him not only a performer to admire but a mentor and leader in the world of magic.
Throughout his career, Scott has been active in various magic organizations.
TAOM Honoree for over 60 years’ service
Winning the 1970 TAOM Close-Up Magician of the Year award
Houston Association of Magicians -Magician of the Year Award – 1989,
1999, 2003, 2008, 2009, 2018
Serving as president of all three of the Houston’s magic clubs I.B.M,
S.A.M and the H.A.O.M, as well as the Corpus Christi I.B.M Club
Serving as President of the Texas Association of Magicians in 2009
Serving as Convention Chairman of the 2016 TAOM Corpus Christi
Convention
Earning the Society of American Magicians Presidential Citation
(2015-2016)
Receiving the International Brotherhood of Magicians Presidential
Citation (2016-2017)
On August 13, 2014, Scott was honored by having Houston’s IBM Ring 39 named after him—The Scott Hollingsworth Ring.
Spent twenty-seven years, as both Entertainment Director and Resident
Magician at Magic Island in Houston, Texas.
Bill Palmer
Bill Palmer has been attending TAOM conventions since 1960.
A native Houstonian, Bill has performed in just about every branch of magic from close-up to stage illusions and mentalism.
His magical journey started when he was a child. His father was an amateur magician, and a member of IBM Ring 39. He took Bill to see Harry Blackstone, Sr. in concert when he was six years old. The magic bug bit him, and he never looked back.
Bill’s career includes award-winning work as a trade show magician. He has promoted all sorts of products and services in most of the really prestigious trade show venues in the U.S., including Chicago’s McCormick Place, Houston’s Astrohall, Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas and the Las Vegas Convention Center.
He has also performed as a regular at all of the Laff Stop Comedy Clubs in the state of Texas, as well as Houston’s Magic Island, where he performed strolling close-up, stage magic and parlor magic in the various rooms of this wonderful venue. He even served as emcee on occasion.
Bill is best remembered for his performances at the Texas Renaissance Festival, Scarborough Faire and the Florida Renaissance Festival as Merlin the Magician. His performances included several original stage illusions that still have patrons scratching their heads in amazement!
In 2001, Bill stepped away from the Texas Renaissance Festival after completing a very successful 26 year run, and turned his talents to other aspects of magic and music. In 2003, he founded the Cups and Balls Museum, arguably the world’s largest private collection of the world’s oldest magic trick. He also became a consultant for a major builder of banjos — one of the 21 musical instruments that Bill plays.
In his spare time, Bill translated seven major magic books from German into English. These included the works of Punx, Borodin, Ted Lesley and Erik Jan Hanussen.
In 2003, Bill received a significant citation in the world of magic when he was promoted to Member of the Inner Magic Circle with Gold Star by the Magic Circle of London. This is an honor that is limited by the Magic Circle charter to 300 living people. He never found out who he replaced!
Bill’s work is characterized by his unusual sense of humor and timing. His motto is one that he pinched from P.T. Barnum — “No higher calling exists than making others happy!”