Perfect Strangers
by Tyler Wilson

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Over the past two years, I have had the good fortune of travelling far more than I ever had in my previous twenty-five years on the big-bang's-green-earth combined. The places I've visited have been incredible (except for Stonehenge; it was disappointing), but the people I've met have been truly awe-inspiring. So if you ever find yourself travelling in the near future, I've decided to tell you about some of the
people who you should do whatever is necessary to seek out while invading their home turf. I've purposely chosen the guys who don't have multiple DVD sets to their names, however each deity on this list will still make no apologies about destroying you at every turn with their disturbingly sassy creativity and Robo-Cop precise technique.

My OCD forces me to do this alphabetically.

When visiting Bristol, be sure to track down: Rob James
This unassuming metrosexual never ceases to amaze me with his chops. It may
be because his downplayed performance style routinely turns my guard off, but I literally start laughing out loud when he begins busting out the seriously hardcore work with ease and slippery-slick grace; it catches me by surprise and it just doesn't seem like he should be able to do those things, and do them so unbelievably well. But please don't tell Rob why I really laugh; I want him to still believe he's a funny chap.

When visiting Charlotte, be sure to track down: Scott Robinson
Scott works at Microsoft, so you know damn well he's got the skills to screw you over backwards. His creations first attack your brain, then your eyes, and then your spinal cord, bowels, and spleen; in that order. He not only has genetically superior work on the classic plots, but has created some wonderfully unique original effects as well. You really have no chance with this man. He was a prolific contributor to Steve Beam's "The Trapdoor" magazine, so if you can track down some issues, see what a Microsoft employee does while his system reboots.

When visiting Drunken Stooper, be sure to track down: Scotty Johnston
Hailing from Scotland, Scotty performs better card magic with a blood-alcohol level that is more accurately described as an alcohol-blood level, than almost anyone M.A.D.D. can throw at him. He reminds me of Larry Jennings in the respect that he is a manly-man that will do whatever is necessary to get the job done, no matter how many difficult sleights is needed to get there. Unlike Jennings, however, Scotty can actually pull them off undetected. As if that wasn't enough, he has an artistic flare over everything he does that makes you stop in your tracks and realize you're
watching poetry in motion. But by that time, you're well on your way to getting #!*#ed.

When visiting Hollywood, be sure to track down: Adam Grace
Adam's name is probably the best known on this list, but it should be far, far better known. Sure, Hollywood houses some of my heroes like Aaron Fisher, Bill Goodwin, Jon Armstrong, Derek Delgaudio, etc., but there is something different about this charming marvel; his hot wife. Regarding his magic though, he just simply processes the world differently than us mortals. He finds magic in the most obscure places and yet in the most wide-open places too (that the rest of us are just too blind to see for whatever reason). His work with cards and coins is great, but it's his
"other" stuff that stands above the crowd and yells "Fire!"

When visiting Minneapolis, be sure to track down: Brett Bishop
He's got big hands. You do the math.

When visiting rural Ohio, be sure to track down: Brandon Williams
Let's face it; you won't be visiting rural Ohio. But if a tornado manages to drop you off nearby, seek Brandon out for a session you won't soon forget. Whether he's holding a deck of bikes or a few walking liberty halves, his chops give lambs a run for their money. This guy knows his stuff and knows how to use it against you. I guess that means he doesn't like you.

When visiting San Francisco, be sure to track down: John Bodine
If there was ever a way to be disturbed in a good way, John managed to find it. He doesn't simply want people to clap, gasp, be amazed, or even feel like they experienced real magic, he wants them to leave with a not-quite-right-even-after-a-shower sensation that lingers for days on end. Some of my absolute favorite moments in magic have come from John's fertile headspace. They don't call him Crazy John for nothin'!

When visiting Savannah, be sure to track down: Robert Moreland
Robbie is the complete package. I could literally go on and on about how much I love this guy. In fact, I think I will. There is almost no one on earth who gets me more excited about magic than Robbie. First and foremost, his gentle touch with cards or coins is so fluid that water gets all jealous and calls Robbie a whore. Seriously, the way he handles his props is unlike anyone on earth; it's that breathtaking. Secondly, his passion for magic is undeniably infectious and the excitement is passed on to anyone within fainting distance, be it magician or layperson. Robbie is destined to become a legend. Really.

When visiting Seattle, be sure to track down: Steve Mayhew
Okay, it's confession time; I've never actually met Steve Mayhew. In fact, I have no idea what he even looks like. That being said, he is still my hero. All one has to do is check out his Impressing Jodie Foster notes for a reason to bow down to him. They are without a doubt my favorite notes in my library. There are two types of "funny" in my opinion: the cut-and-paste one-liner style that will garner laughs (albeit the cheap variety) from nearly anyone who uses them, and the meaty humor that is built into the core of the magic/writing that is heavily dependant on the performer himself.
Mayhew's material permeates the page in the latter style unlike any I've ever seen. The fact that his magic is killer to boot is simply icing on the cakehole. And from every account I've heard, he's even better in person. So I guess what I'm really trying to say, is that I don't really care about you guys, it's me that wants to session with Steve Mayhew.

When visiting St. Louis, be sure to track down: Mark Aspiazu
I look forward to The Second Deal convention each year for one primary reason; to have Mark pound me into submission with his unbelievable technical prowess. I can only scream "UNCLE!" so many times. He creates some truly unique sleights and polishes them off to a disgustingly high standard. If you sit down with this man, don't expect to stand up any time soon.

These are only the first ten arbitrarily picked guys from my list of do-not-miss talent around the world. I hope to introduce you to more of them in the future. Until then, redeem some frequent flier miles and say "Hello!"

Tyler