Ventriloquist Central Blog

Update From Mr. Puppet, Ventriloquist Bob Abdou

Posted on December 19, 2008 by Webmaster

I got this email from Mr. Puppet himself, Bob Abdou:

Hey Dan

Since you posted my new dummy on your blog, I got some emails saying they could not see what Gutters looked like up close, well, here is a studio shot (actually my living room) of “Gutters McGee” created by Dan Payes.

Gutters McGee is now a new part of my corporate/adult shows along with Willie the werewolf and Roofus Doofus the singing cowboy.

Bob
Mr. Puppet

Thanks, Bob for the close up picture.

Dan
www.ventriloquistcentral.com

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Dan Willinger is a ventriloquism enthusiast and ventriloquist figure collector. He has been collecting for over 25 years. His collection of ventriloquist figures now numbers over 100 figures of which there are over 50 Frank Marshall figures. Because of his love for the art of ventriloquism, Mr. Willinger created the website Ventriloquist Central. For more information about the website, go to: http://www.ventriloquistcentral.com

NOTE: You may use this blog article provided you run it with the bio box intact. Please email a copy of your publication with the blog article in it to:
webmaster@ventriloquistcentral.com

Posted in Dummy Collecting, Puppetry, Ventriloquism/Ventriloquist, Ventriloquist Figures | 1 Comment

Webmaster AND Ventriloquist, Steve Hurst With Charlie Dawg

Posted on December 18, 2008 by Webmaster

I’ve always known that my webmaster, Steve is a ventriloquist, but have never seen any of his performances. In fact, since he moved to Oklahoma (3 years ago) and started his own business, he hasn’t been performing.

However, he sent me a video of a “holiday” performance he did 12 years ago. After I saw it, I told him we have to post this on the blog. It took some arm twisting, but he finally relented. Here’s Steve’s story about this short clip:

Hi Dan,

Here’s this video I was telling you about. This happened back in 1996 around the holidays. The local cable company was asking businesses to do a holiday greetings video and in turn, it would be a way to promote the businesses. The cable company was going to run these “promotional greetings” during December on the local access channel.

At the time I was doing kidshows in western Washington. I knew the guy in charge of these videos so when he asked if I wanted to do it, I said. “SURE!” I wanted them to put my phone number on the screen too, but he said they could only do the name. I figured that would still be okay because I had ads in party planners, parent guides and other publications throughout the Seattle area.

Well, as you’ll see by the video, everything went okay EXCEPT….they spelled my last name wrong. They refunded my money, however, I still got a couple of jobs from the exposure.

Steve

Follow Steve Hurst On Twitter

[flashvideo filename=http://ventriloquistcentral.com/ventriloquist-steve-hurst-charlie-dawg-happy-holidays/ventriloquist-steve-hurst-charlie-dawg-happy-holidays.flv /]

Dan
www.ventriloquistcentral.com

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NOTE: You may use this blog article provided you run it with the bio box intact. Please email a copy of your publication with the blog article in it to:
webmaster@ventriloquistcentral.com

Posted in Personal, Ventriloquism/Ventriloquist, Ventriloquist Central, Ventriloquist Figures, Ventriloquist Videos | 1 Comment

Magic Art Studio Quarterly Auction

Posted on December 16, 2008 by Webmaster

One of my favorite things to do is to go to a live auction. There is nothing like the excitement of bidding in person against real people and actually being the wining bidder. Ebay just can’t give you that feeling. That being said I am very fortunate because just 30 minutes away from where I live is a city named Watertown. In this city is a remarkable store called “The Magic Art Studio”

This is a very special place because my son Jason at a very early age of 9 decided he wanted to be a professional magician, which today at the age of 28 he is, and he got a job working behind the counter at this great magic shop. He worked there from the age of 10 to the age of 18 when he left to go to California to take the Chavez Course in Magic.

For me the Magic Art Studio opened my eyes to the world of collectible magic and the owner, Mr Ray Goulet, actually introduced me to Ventriloquist Figure Makers George and Glen McElroy. Well not literally, he showed me pictures of Female magician Dell O’Dell who owned a McElroy Johnnie figure which is now in the collection of magician historian John Gaughn.

I have gotten off subject so I will redirect my thoughts. Four times a year Mr Goulet holds a magic auction at his Magic Art Studio where you can purchase some great magic and yes I have even purchased Vent figures there. The crowd usually numbers around 45 and the sprit and fun of a big time auction gallery is there. This past auction Jason came with me and he shot a few seconds of this great venue for you all to see.

It might be hard for any of you to ever catch one of the auctions but if you are in the Boston area ,if you don’t visit with me I will be disappointed, make sure you go visit The Magic Art Studio. It is a wondrous place and is a true magic shop no tricks and jokes here.

[flashvideo filename=http://ventriloquistcentral.com/magic-auction/magic-auction.flv /]

Dan
www.ventriloquistcentral.com

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NOTE: You may use this blog article provided you run it with the bio box intact. Please email a copy of your publication with the blog article in it to:
webmaster@ventriloquistcentral.com

Posted in Magic | Leave a comment

Ventriloquist Edgar Bergen & Old Charlie McCarthy

Posted on December 14, 2008 by Webmaster

Edgar Bergen was without question one of the greatest ventriloquists to ever perform ventriloquism and he was also a fantastic innovator. He was continually updating his act and finding new ways to appeal to all audiences.

I happened to come across this wonderful video of Mr Bergen and in it he introduces a beautiful young girl by the name of Candice and also introduces an old Charlie McCarthy. I always new that Old Charlie, as a figure existed, but I had never seen him being used so this was great to see.

I hope you all enjoy this as much as I did.

Dan
www.ventriloquistcentral.com

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NOTE: You may use this blog article provided you run it with the bio box intact. Please email a copy of your publication with the blog article in it to:
webmaster@ventriloquistcentral.com

Posted in Edgar Bergen, Ventriloquism/Ventriloquist, Ventriloquist Central, Ventriloquist Figures, Ventriloquist Videos | Leave a comment

A New Addition For Ventriloquist Bob Abdou/Mr. Puppet … "Gutters McGee"

Posted on December 13, 2008 by Webmaster

Regular contributor to Ventriloquist Central, Mr. Puppet himself, Bob Abdou, sent in this email and pictures about his latest ventriloquist figure:

Hey Dan,

Here is a photo from last nights banquet show with my new dummy from Dan Payes, I call him “Gutters McGee”.

I thought if Bill Boley, Johnny Main, Dick Weston and other famous vents can have a “hobo” type dummy, why not me???

He is great, Dan did his magic, once I got him I found great clothes at the thrift store and last night he was in the show.

One of the many highlights of the night is when “Gutters McGee” told the audience (which were church going seniors) that you should always be quiet in church, I asked “why is that?” – and “Gutters McGee” replied – cause people are sleeping!!

The pastor in the audience laughed so much he had to stand up to catch his breath!!

Bob/Mr.Puppet

Bob, thanks for sharing.

Dan
www.ventriloquistcentral.com

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NOTE: You may use this blog article provided you run it with the bio box intact. Please email a copy of your publication with the blog article in it to:
webmaster@ventriloquistcentral.com

Posted in Dummy Collecting, Puppetry, Ventriloquist Figure (Dummy) Makers, Ventriloquist Figure Building, Ventriloquist Figures | 3 Comments

Update From Mr. Puppet, Ventriloquist Bob Abdou

Webmaster AND Ventriloquist, Steve Hurst With Charlie Dawg

Magic Art Studio Quarterly Auction

Ventriloquist Edgar Bergen & Old Charlie McCarthy

A New Addition For Ventriloquist Bob Abdou/Mr. Puppet … "Gutters McGee"

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