Page 1 of 2

Card Stars for the 2010's

Posted: June 8th, 2011, 10:14 pm
by erdnasephile
Back in 2002, RK's proposal to update the list of "Card Stars of the USA" for the 21st century. See: http://www.geniimagazine.com/forums/ubb ... #Post45480

Unfortunately, many names were mentioned back then that are now no longer with us. In addition, many of the lists were limited only to Americans, which left out a whole bunch of amazing cardicians.

Since it's been almost a decade, I thought it might be fun to find out who makes your Top 10 list of Card Stars, circa 2011. I'm interested in your "all around" list of 10 living Card Stars (you might check out Jon Racherbaumer's thoughts on this in the previous thread)

Here's my list: (in alphabetic order)

Steve Forte
Roberto Giobbi
Harry Lorayne
Bill Malone
Darwin Ortiz
Jim Swain
Juan Tamariz
Johnny Thompson
Bob White
Andrew Wimhurst

Who makes your Top 10?

Re: Card Stars for the 2010's

Posted: June 8th, 2011, 11:09 pm
by Richard Kaufman
Juan Tamariz
Steve Forte
Roberto Giobbi
Bill Kalush
David Berglas
David Williamson
Harry Lorayne
Steve Freeman
Bill Goodwin
Guy Hollingworth

Re: Card Stars for the 2010's

Posted: June 8th, 2011, 11:56 pm
by Bill Duncan
10... I don't know, but I gotta add...
Steve Dobson
Steve Mayhew
Jack Carpenter

Re: Card Stars for the 2010's

Posted: June 9th, 2011, 12:38 am
by Richard Kaufman
No, only 10. That's what makes it tough.

Re: Card Stars for the 2010's

Posted: June 9th, 2011, 4:58 am
by jason156
Ken Krenzel and John Carney belong on that list.

Re: Card Stars for the 2010's

Posted: June 9th, 2011, 7:56 am
by Joe Pecore
I'm having a hard time trying to figure out who I would knock off Richard's list to add Max Maven, Jason England or Bill Malone.

Re: Card Stars for the 2010's

Posted: June 9th, 2011, 8:33 am
by Jonathan Townsend
I was not aware Berglas, Giobbi, England, Hollingworth, Tamariz, and Wimhurst were "of the USA". No Obama jokes, please.

Isn't this "best" list stuff beneath the Genii forum and more fodder for the Magic Cafe?

Come on - where's Jay Sankey on that list? Or Oz Perlman? or Paul Harris? The Buck Twins?

And does it matter whether they use Bikes or the new custom deisign decks?

Re: Card Stars for the 2010's

Posted: June 9th, 2011, 9:40 am
by Joe Pecore
Jonathan Townsend wrote:I was not aware Berglas, Giobbi, England, Hollingworth, Tamariz, and Wimhurst were "of the USA".

Mr. erdnasephile is asking for opinions on a "Top 10 list of Card Stars, circa 2011", worldwide.

Re: Card Stars for the 2010's

Posted: June 9th, 2011, 9:44 am
by Joe Pecore
I'd have to agree with Paul Harris and also throw in Howie Schwarzman too.

Re: Card Stars for the 2010's

Posted: June 9th, 2011, 10:41 am
by Jonathan Townsend
Folks, when you post a candidate would you also add some work or example that the rest of us could consider to help understand what brought you to include them in yout list?

I'd add that guy who did the signed wildcard at FISM for sheer fun, John Bannon for creativity with those new packet tricks, Bruno Copin for similar reasons, Roy Walton (need I put even one reason there?), Bob Farmer, the guy who invented that verson of jazz aces where the other four cards are gone at the end...

Is it okay to add the assistants (and John Gaughan) for making the Hooker Card act a part of our living card magic?

Re: Card Stars for the 2010's

Posted: June 9th, 2011, 11:12 am
by Richard Kaufman
Jonathan: NO--there is no requirement to add any examples. Simply placing them on the list is enough.

Frankly, getting it down to ten people worldwide is almost impossible.

Re: Card Stars for the 2010's

Posted: June 9th, 2011, 12:05 pm
by Michael Kamen
Once you have it down to a short list of 30 or 40, you may always sort in descending order of number of books published, and take the top 10. Or shoe size perhaps. . .

Re: Card Stars for the 2010's

Posted: June 9th, 2011, 12:05 pm
by Alan M
Ricky Jay belongs somewhere in the top 10.

Re: Card Stars for the 2010's

Posted: June 9th, 2011, 12:20 pm
by Joe Pecore
Michael Kamen wrote:Once you have it down to a short list of 30 or 40, you may always sort in descending order of number of books published, and take the top 10. Or shoe size perhaps. . .
How about by age? Oldest first :)

Re: Card Stars for the 2010's

Posted: June 9th, 2011, 12:35 pm
by Michael Kamen
Annual earnings?

Re: Card Stars for the 2010's

Posted: June 9th, 2011, 1:23 pm
by Mark Collier
Lennart Green

Re: Card Stars for the 2010's

Posted: June 9th, 2011, 1:43 pm
by Richard Kaufman
I think if you added up the annual earnings of the original 10 card stars you'd have a pretty small number. Earnings are not part of the equation.

Re: Card Stars for the 2010's

Posted: June 9th, 2011, 3:57 pm
by Dustin Stinett
This is my off the top of my head list (by alpha), but there are some notable people missing that belong on such a list:

Jason England
Steve Forte
Steve Freeman
Bill Goodwin
Guy Hollingworth
Ricky Jay
Juan Tamariz
Michael Weber
Bob White
R. Paul Wilson

Re: Card Stars for the 2010's

Posted: June 9th, 2011, 3:58 pm
by Dustin Stinett
Add Lorayne, Schwarzman, Ackerman... so many more. Richard is right: impossible to list only ten.

Re: Card Stars for the 2010's

Posted: June 9th, 2011, 4:39 pm
by erdnasephile
I can't believe I left off Ricky Jay.

I would have considered Steve Freeman, but he's so underground that I've never seen him perform...

Paul Harris is a genius and inspired a whole generation of cardmen (and cardwomen), but IMHO, I just didn't think he quite had the technical chops to bump someone out of my personal top 10. YMMV.

Re: Card Stars for the 2010's

Posted: June 10th, 2011, 6:00 am
by Alfred
My pick:

Juan Tamariz
Arturo de Ascanio
Pepe Carroll
Miguel Gmez
Ren Lavand
David Williamson
Steve Forte
Michael Vincent
John Carney
Roberto Giobbi

Re: Card Stars for the 2010's

Posted: June 10th, 2011, 8:58 am
by Jonathan Townsend
My list of greats includes Armando Lucero, Roy Walton, Steve Freeman - and has hopes to include some of this generation's talents like Dani DOrtiz, Michael Vincent and Andrew Wimhust.

Re: Card Stars for the 2010's

Posted: June 10th, 2011, 9:54 am
by Tony Tuccillo
What makes it tougher is how are we defining 'card stars'? Based on their skill alone, contribution to the craft or craft & magic community, their commercial appeal?

The criteria I'm using is based on who I would want to spend a few hours with sessioning and talking about card magic. The list is in no special order.

Juan Tamariz
Dani DaOrtiz
Lennart Green
Bill Malone
David Williamson
Roy Walton
Jason England
Ricky Jay
Roberto Giobbi
Bong Santos

I'm actually getting ill looking at the names I've left off my list so I think I'll go order a new card magic book or download a video..........

Re: Card Stars for the 2010's

Posted: June 10th, 2011, 10:56 am
by Richard Kaufman
Who is "Bong Santos"?

Re: Card Stars for the 2010's

Posted: June 10th, 2011, 1:28 pm
by Pete McCabe
I don't know, but I'd invite him to the session anyway.

Re: Card Stars for the 2010's

Posted: June 10th, 2011, 1:45 pm
by Tony Tuccillo
Ha! Wanted to see if anyone was paying attention. Very good. (Bong Santos is a screen name I use from time to time).

Since he doesn't belong on the list I'll add Helder Guimares

Re: Card Stars for the 2010's

Posted: June 10th, 2011, 1:46 pm
by Kent Gunn
Dustin,

Two guys on your list are lecturing at the GGG in six days. You should come up.

KG

Re: Card Stars for the 2010's

Posted: June 10th, 2011, 1:55 pm
by Dustin Stinett
I really wish I could. It's not in the cards this year (no pun intended).

Re: Card Stars for the 2010's

Posted: June 10th, 2011, 2:33 pm
by jason156
Pete McCabe wrote:I don't know, but I'd invite him to the session anyway.


I must be getting old, I just got that joke.. :D

Seriously though, I'm the only one who thinks Ken Krenzel belongs on the list?

Re: Card Stars for the 2010's

Posted: June 10th, 2011, 3:34 pm
by Jonathan Townsend
How many other peers of Dai Vernon are there around from his NY days?

Re: Card Stars for the 2010's

Posted: June 10th, 2011, 4:15 pm
by Tony Tuccillo
jason156 wrote: Seriously though, I'm the only one who thinks Ken Krenzel belongs on the list?


Good point. Sadly I haven't taken time to study his material and have never seen him perform. I know he's highly regarded. Now I have another name to add to my list of those works that I should study.

I see you're in Daytona. Do you attend the annual festival in November?

Re: Card Stars for the 2010's

Posted: June 10th, 2011, 7:30 pm
by Bill McFadden
Definitely Dr. Krenzel. Also Earl Nelson, Simon Aaronson, David Solomon, Jon Racherbaumer, Lee Asher, and Aaron Fisher. And that Regal guy ain't exactly a slouch with a deck of cards, either. While we're at it, let's not forget RK (shameless kissing-up).

The problem with lists is who gets left off. It's like trying to name the 10 best directors, musicians, etc.

Re: Card Stars for the 2010's

Posted: June 10th, 2011, 7:39 pm
by Richard Kaufman
I will disqualify myself from any such list.

Re: Card Stars for the 2010's

Posted: June 10th, 2011, 9:06 pm
by Dustin Stinett
Me too.

Re: Card Stars for the 2010's

Posted: June 10th, 2011, 9:46 pm
by John M. Dale
Dustin Stinett wrote:Me too.


You're disqualifying yourself or agreeing with Richard? :confused:

JMD

Re: Card Stars for the 2010's

Posted: June 10th, 2011, 10:07 pm
by Bill McFadden
Dang, I forgot Jon Armstrong, Steve Draun, and (though too late) Dustin Stinett. I was just getting around to Jim Maloney as well. (Smooching sound in background).

As to Jon's question regarding Vernon's NYC contemporaries still with us, I can only think of:

Ken Krenzel
Howie Schwarzman
Harry Lorayne
George Schindler

Not certain about Sol Stone and Ronald Wohl.

Sincerest apologies to Simon Aronson for tagging the extra "a" in the previous post.

Re: Card Stars for the 2010's

Posted: June 11th, 2011, 12:51 am
by jason156
Tony Tuccillo wrote:
jason156 wrote: Seriously though, I'm the only one who thinks Ken Krenzel belongs on the list?


Good point. Sadly I haven't taken time to study his material and have never seen him perform. I know he's highly regarded. Now I have another name to add to my list of those works that I should study.

I see you're in Daytona. Do you attend the annual festival in November?


I've attended a few of the Festivals, but frankly I miss the old Florida State Magic Conventions. I remember, about 20 years ago, watching Paul Diamond do the close up rotation and he killed. Those were the days.

Re: Card Stars for the 2010's

Posted: June 11th, 2011, 12:58 am
by Dustin Stinett
John M. Dale wrote:
Dustin Stinett wrote:Me too.


You're disqualifying yourself or agreeing with Richard? :confused:

JMD

Yes.

Re: Card Stars for the 2010's

Posted: June 11th, 2011, 1:35 am
by Richard Kaufman
Let's be a little pickier in the people we name. George Schindler is a great guy and a fun performer, but in no way is he a "card star."

Re: Card Stars for the 2010's

Posted: June 11th, 2011, 11:38 am
by Jim Maloney
Bill McFadden wrote:I was just getting around to Jim Maloney as well. (Smooching sound in background).


Unlike Richard & Dustin, I'm not going to disqualify myself. Anyone who wants to put me on such a list has my blessing. (As well as my recommendation to get your head checked out!)

Not certain about Sol Stone and Ronald Wohl.

Sol's still around and doing well, as far as I know. I last saw him few months (maybe a year?) ago.

-Jim