Where are they now? The Keeners!

[Guest]

Back in my infant days as a magician, I heard some great stories about the Keeners. My understanding was that they were professionals who worked mostly in Europe and that they were really great. That's about all I know! Can anyone help me with more information about them and what they do or did?

Mark

[Pete Biro]

I believe the Keeners are still living in retirement in Phoenix, Arizona. Last time I saw them that is what I understood. Although Ed told me he was working as a slot machine repair man, perhaps they moved to Las Vegas.

[Jim Riser]

This is the word I received last December when tracking down Ed Keener's cups for my cups web pages..............

Ed and Nanci worked in Europe for 24 years and returned to the States about 1986. They
are living in Las Vegas, no longer actively performing, but still working.
Ed works at a casino servicing slot machines and Nanci got a license to be
an optician. They are doing quite well.

Also...........Ed and Nanci have picked up quite a few awards lately - The Dragon Award,
Lifetime Achievement from SAM Assembly 248 & IBM Ring 55, Performing
Fellowship from the Castle, inducted into the SAM Hall of Fame, and probably
more to come!!!
..............
Jim
BTW - They had a great act featuring balloons.

[Rennie]

I have a video of the Keeners performing at the P.C.A.M in Palo Alto Ca. in the mid 80's including the balloon act which was done to the music of the 5th Dimension called " Up,Up and Away " and was great, but the act that blew me as well as a number of other magicians away was his Conradi blocks, after his performance I heard many were trying to purchase them, it was fantastic and totally blew everyone away with his presentation of them, he also did his cups & balls with the shot glass final load, also very good.