Successful Performercast by Kris Sheppard | Successful Performer Cast | Weekly Interviews with Professional Entertainers | Show Business, Showbiz, Performer, Magic, Magician, Juggler, Comedian, Musician – Details, episodes & analysis

In my final interview here in this chapter of Successful Performercast, I have Joe Monti who gives us some valuable advice when it comes to show business and shares some stores from his career that will have you at the edge of your seat.

Joe Monti has done it all. He’s traveled the world with his magic, both performing and lecturing. He’s worked with Viacom, starting with the Cosby Show. He’s consulted for television on a number of shows & projects, including Criss Angel’s Mind Freak for three seasons, a lot of ghost and paranormal shows as well as other secret television projects. He was also the $50,000 winner on Simon Cowell’s successful prime time ABC hit American Inventor, which was seen by 14 million people.

He’s a frequent featured performer at the world famous Hollywood Magic Castle, home of the Academy of Magical Arts, and has released two commercial products straight from his act on the market for working magicians. Joe has done so much to elevate the art of magic, it’s impossible to list it all here.  

Survive. You’ve got to kiss the canvas before you can dance with the angels.  

• Talks about his early days in show business.

• Talks about how he discovered Tannen’s and started hanging out there.

• Tells how he “jumped ship” over at Viacom.

• “Do for others, and they will do for you."

• Tells about a how he was filming a TV show after quitting Viacom, where he was dressed all slummy and running into all the people he used to work with.

• Keeping you ear to the ground to figure out what people want and doing it.

• Talks about his physical comedy.

• Why you should do things exactly as you’re taught before adding your own influence into an act you’re working on.

• Finding what’s funny.

• An effective, yet controversial, tip for getting tips in a strolling situation, and why Joe stopped doing it.

• An interesting story involving Dave Chapelle.

• Magic minds help in business.

• Deliver a product that they can't get from anybody but you. 

As many of you may know, Joe was involved in a pretty serious accident. This interview was recorded before that accident, and Joe wanted to come back on before we officially released this interview to give us a quick update.

If you'd like to help him out, there's a Go Fund Me campaign open to help him with his medical bills and recovery expenses. Every little bit helps. Ad mention that Successful Performercast sent you. 

Don’t show the people around the magic you’re working on. They’ll only tell you good things. Instead, film it, and let someone watch the video, walk away and then watch their reaction from afar.  

Note: Many of the links in this section are affiliate links, meaning we earn a small portion of any sales. If you're enjoying our podcast and decide to purchase one of the recommended resources or books, please consider using our affiliate links to help support the work we're doing here at the Successful Performercast. Thanks!  

Resources:

Books:

Triggers by Joseph Sugarman

Bobo’s Coin Magic

Trick Brain by Dariel Fitzkee

Our Magic by Masculine & DeVant

joemonti.com

thumbtie.com  

In this interview, Thought Reader Bill Gladwell who talks about the ins and outs of having his own stationary one-man, mentalism show and how he’s been able to make it a success.

Bill is a performer who combines his unique skills of hypnosis, NLP, suggestion, psychology, directed awareness, and showmanship to create a fun interactive show that leaves an indelible impression on each of his audiences and has performed for a diverse list of clients from Honda to country music artist Rodney Atkins. He’s also a speaker and trainer teaching people how to develop and master strong social skills helping them win at life.

For the last five years, Bill has pretty much stopped traveling in order to produce and perform in his own 75-minute mentalism show, Two Thought Minimum first in Gatlinburg Tenessee and then in Hilton Head, South Carolina.

Finally, I wouldn’t be true to myself if I didn’t mention his own podcast, “Hey! Look at Me!” where he interviews other entertainers that he comes in contact with during his adventures.  

Doubt kills more dreams than failure ever will. – Susie Castle

If you don’t go after what you want, you’ll never have it, if you don’t ask, the answer is always no, and if you don’t step forward, you’re always in the same place. - Norah Roberts  

• Tells how he got his first theater show as a mentalist.

• How he was able to tweak his show and improve it from a very rough start.

• Not listening to other magicians and mentalists.

• How Trip Advisor has helped his career.

• How/why he left Gatlinburg for Hilton Head Island.

• Tells how he got feedback from his audiences.

• Listening to his wife. Starting with the end on mind and working back from that.

• How he negotiated with a theater owner to get his dark nights.

• Promoting his show and getting tourists into see show.

• The importance of having a good product.

• How to work with the venue making it a win win for the performer and the venue.

• Back of room sales.

• Using social media avenues to his advantage.

• Building email list.

• His USP.

• How he keeps in contact via email.

• How he sells tickets.

• Challenges of working in a theater.

• Rebuilding his show and following in Hilton Head Island.

• Don’t be afraid to give tickets away to get things done.

• Interacting with press and getting coverage.

• Working with other companies and businesses to cross promote.  

• The power in asking.

• Lessons from Girl Scout cookie sales.

• Asking for the close.

• How a Tony Robbins event changed his life.

• Talks about how he did an impromptu stage hypnosis show that started him out in performing.

• Finding material that fits you.

• Don’t do things like everyone else. Make it entertaining.

• Recording your show.

• It’s not about you, it’s about giving your audience a good time.

• How pricing yourself too low can cost your gigs.  

Tells why he now collects his fee up front.  

His Trip Advisor reviews.

Getting his wife to marry him. 😃 ❤️❤️❤️  

Be bold. Not only on stage, but off stage.

Three foot rule: If anyone gets within three feet of you, you have to tell them what you do and give them a card.  

Note: Many of the links in this section are affiliate links, meaning we earn a small portion of any sales. If you're enjoying our podcast and decide to purchase one of the recommended resources or books, please consider using our affiliate links to help support the work we're doing here at the Successful Performercast. Thanks!  

Resources:

Evernote

Just Press Record iOS app

Books:

Born Standing Up by Steve Martin

The Sales Bible Jeffrey Gitomer

Also mentioned WellAttended 

billgladwelllive.com

Hey Look at Me! Podcast

In this episode, voice actor and musician Laura Dickinson brings us insight into how she’s made it as a voice actor for Disney Animation and how good old fashioned hustle can really take you the distance.

Laura makes her living as a full-time musician, contracting for Disney providing singing voices for animated characters on Phineas & Ferb, Jake & the Neverland Pirates, and Sofia the First. Essentially, “your nine-year old daughter’s favorite singer.” You’ve also heard her voice on Pitch Perfect, Modern Family, and Supernatural.

When she’s not bringing her character acting talent, she’s also a frequent live performer fronting her own 17 piece big band and opening for names like Tony Bennett and Lyle Lovett.

She’s also recently released her debut album, One for My Baby – To Frank Sinatra With Love, which is a beautifully done and wonderfully arranged homage to Ol’ Blue Eyes.  

ManageGigs: ManageGigs helps you keep track of all of your gigs online, without having to resort to spreadsheets. 

Click here to check them out and sign up for your free seven day trial!

Audible: For Performercast Listeners, Audible is offering a free audiobook download and a free 30-day trial to give you the opportunity to check out their service. 

Click here to check it out!  

Happy to be here, easy to work with.  

• Talks about how she got involved working with Disney animation and voice acting.

• What it’s like collaborating with musicians and producers and being able to anticipate needs, etc.

• If you can find someone you can count on and work easy with, you’ll work with them forever.

• Challenges of singing in the voice of a fictional, cartoon character.

• Always tries to ask a lot of smart questions.

• Adaptability and flexibility are her biggest takeaways from working with Disney.

• Working on people’s “babies.” Creative pieces that their creators care about.  

Talks about how early in her career, not being as socially adept as she is now, she started talking trash about the show director and the casting director just as they walked in.  

Being a part of Phinneas & Ferb which opened up a lot of doors for her.  

• Working with other musicians who have different schedules

• Filling in for other musicians (it’s kind of like an understudy kind of thing)

• How she got her real education performing for Disney in their theme parks.

• Talks about how she “moved up the ranks” for Disney and started performing.

• Find what you really love doing and find a way to make a living at it.

• Always being the best representation if yourself.  

The uncut version of this interview is available to Patreon Supporters and includes about 10 minutes of additional content. 

Please consider supporting me on Patreon.   

In the Patreon-exclusive content you'll find:

• Talks about first band she had a part in and how she decided she wanted to become a professional performer.

• Talks about some of the things she did to start drumming up business in performing full time.

• You have to be ready to be told “no” all the time. Rejection is a big part of show business.

• Talks about why and how she formed her current band.

• Talks about some of the many factors that goes into booking a performance with her band.    

Note: Many of the links in this section are affiliate links, meaning we earn a small portion of any sales. If you're enjoying our podcast and decide to purchase one of the recommended resources or books, please consider using our affiliate links to help support the work we're doing here at the Successful Performercast. Thanks!  

Resources:

The Internet. It's amazing how helpful the internet can be for your business. Plus, make sure you have all your media in order on the internet so it’s easy for people to find and hire you.

The Voiceover Resource Guide  

Books:

The Real Books for Musicians 

Check out Laura's new album, One for My Baby, to Frank Sinatra with Love!

If you're a Sinatra fan, you're absolutely going to love Laura's take on some of his most famous songs. I know covering Sinatra is gutsy undertaking, but Laura absolutely nails it!  

lauradickinson.com

Facebook | Twitter @elsielaura | Instagram | Spotify | Pandora | Youtube

Kostya is magician out of Orlando Florida who is as skilled in business as he is with a deck of cards, and if you’ve seen his card magic, you’ve had your mind blown! He’s also one of the official magicians of the Orlando Magic basketball team. 

George is a magician and actor out of Los Angeles who’s made a reputation performing magic for celebrities, corporate and private events, restaurants, and cruise ships. His superlative sleight-of-hand skills, and his engaging personality, have made him a sought after entertainer.

Simon is a magician and corporate speaker from Melbourne Australia who I had the pleasure of meeting a number of years ago while he was in Los Angeles visiting a Houdini exhibit, nonetheless. He is a three-time FISM winner, which is essentially the Olympics of magic. He has become a Fringe festival favorite, and does the best GOB, from Arrested Development, impression you'll ever see.

Scott Wells, from Houston Texas, is a corporate entertainer who combines a background of over 30 years in magic and business. His corporate performances have taken him around the world performing for such clients as ConocoPhillips, Merrill Lynch, and ChevronTexaco.

Lindsay Benner is a virtuoso entertainer. She uses acting, comedy and juggling to weave together a show like you've never seen before and she's recently launched a vaudeville extravaganza which is touring around Los Angeles called "The Quest For Love" featuring her "Book of Love Show."

Join us for a fun interview as we delve into the mind of Shawn McMaster, a comedy magician out of Los Angeles, CA.

In this interview, Kenton Knepper talks all about nonverbal communication as well as the real power of words when it pertains to performing and doing business.

Kenton Knepper is a mentalist who specializes in nonverbal communication, suggestion, and NLP. He’s one of the most prolific creators in the world of magic and mentalism, and has influenced notable names in the industry like Banachek, David Blaine, Derren Brown, Richard Osterlind, and the living legend Johnny Thompson, just to name a few.

Through his company Wonder Wizards, he teaches his methods through seemingly countless products, courses, and private coaching sessions. A couple of his more widely known products are his Wonder Words course, and one of my favorites, Kolossal Killer.

In my opinion, Kenton is the closest thing you’ll find to a modern day Jedi.  

ManageGigs: ManageGigs helps you keep track of all of your gigs online, without having to resort to spreadsheets. Click here to check them out and sign up for your free seven day trial!

Audible: For Performercast Listeners, Audible is offering a free audiobook download and a free 30-day trial to give you the opportunity to check out their service. Click here to check it out!  

Keep going, keep doing! One thing that people who fail always do is they stop doing what they were doing.  

• The importance of words.

• Gives examples of phrases that can help to make our presentations more impressive.

• Reversing what people say to change the meaning.

• Changing a word or two in certain phrases to change how people react to what you’re saying.

• How being authentic helps your nonverbal communication.

• Learning principles that help you to integrate nonverbal tactics.

• Helps to amplify what you already are.

• Connecting with your audience and leaving them better off than they were before they met you.

• Communicating on multiple levels, double entendres, etc.

• Building people up with what you say.

• Shining the spotlight on the people you’re interacting with rather than yourself.

• Connecting other people with each other.

• "Do your good where it does the most.” - Wavy Gravy

• Having a set of tools or principles to be able to use in the right instances.

• Having an “out” for when things don’t go as planned.

• How to “read people” and better connect with them.

• How nonverbal can help out in business situations.

• Best place to start learning nonverbal communication is Kenton’s Wonder Words.  

Talks about a close-call underwater escape attempt. He learned the importance of rehearsing in the actual setting you’ll be performing in.  

• Talks about his journey and how he took his passion full time.

• Some of the other things he does other than magic, like music and meditation.

• Being really good at all the aspects he was working on.

• Talks about how working restaurants really helps him to get seen and get gigs.

• Talks about what’s going on at Wonder Wizards.

• Talks about the Inner Sanctum which is a monthly subscription to Kenton’s services.

• He also does one-on-one consulting.  

The uncut version of this interview is available to Patreon Supporters and includes about 10 minutes of additional content. Please consider supporting me on Patreon. 

• Hear a story from Kenton that involves JC Wagner and Bob Sheets, and a lesson he learned from them that effects how he performs to this very day!  

Be authentic. Be who you really are. Keep going, the only way to really fail is to stop.

Note: Many of the links in this section are affiliate links, meaning we earn a small portion of any sales. If you're enjoying our podcast and decide to purchase one of the recommended resources or books, please consider using our affiliate links to help support the work we're doing here at the Successful Performercast. Thanks!  

Resources:

The voice memo feature on his iPhone  

Books: 

Art and Magic by SH Sharpe 

Mind Games by Masters & Houston 

I wanted to bring to your attention something that happened after my interview with Kenton. many of you have already heard about this, but right after his birthday, his home was broken into and many important, valuable items were stolen from him. First of all, Kenton and his family are all okay and nobody was harmed, but some of the notable things stolen from him were a brand new computer that hadn’t even made it out of the box, and a number of guitars and other musical instruments that he uses for his music and meditation work.

So, if you are a friend of Kenton, or his work has helped you in any way, please consider helping him out with a donation of any size. It would mean the world to both Kenton and myself. If you are able, please be sure to mention that the Successful Performercast sent you. Click Here to Help Out  

wonderwizards.com