A family member’s birthday party that included a performance by a magician was the starting point for then 8-year-old Brad Lynn’s dream of mesmerizing audiences with his own baffling tricks.
To learn about the art of magic he began checking out books at the library and he bought some magic kits to get started.
Brad Lynn is the KC Magic Man
“I increased my knowledge in magic through ordering books, DVDs, and products as well as attending magic lectures,” Lynn said. “I am a member of the International Brotherhood of Magicians (Ring 129) that meets monthly in Blue Springs to discuss and perform magic effects.” He is now known as KC Magic Man.
Although he learned some tricks at an early age, he didn’t get the confidence to perform in front of audiences until he was in his 30’s. Full preparation for his first official show was about five or six months. He enjoyed the astonished reactions from his audience and wanted to continue to perform.
His research and practice paid off and on Saturday, Sept. 9 he will continue his magical success with a show at 2 p.m. at Mid-Continent Public Library Weston Branch.
As a shy kid when he was growing up, he didn’t feel comfortable with performing in front of people. He began by performing birthday shows for friends and family, which gave him his start in the entertainment business.
“Fear is the most challenging thing to overcome,” Lynn said. “You are essentially getting up in front of an audience and knowingly deceiving them. That’s a chore in and of itself which takes nerves. I’ve learned that if you treat it as a fun experience that everyone is having together collectively, that it is more enjoyable for everyone (me included).”
Lynn served five years in the Navy and he has been with the Kansas City Police Department for 21 years. Most of that time he has spent in Patrol.
Even with his busy professional career, he still finds time to perform his magic tricks. Some of his most popular tricks involve multiplying/disappearing sponge balls, and ropes that change length magically.
While he likes to keep the secrets of his tricks hidden, there are times when he will share how a trick was achieved. Usually, when kids ask him how a trick was done, he tells them it’s ‘top secret.’
“At some of my shows I will teach a smaller effect that kids can show to their families, Lynn said. “If someone shows a real interest in the art I will teach some effects one-on-one.”
Coin effects are the most challenging tricks for Lynn. Some of the techniques are very cumbersome to learn, and he’s never felt quite comfortable with a lot of the coin effects he’s learned.
He performs for libraries, birthday parties, school events, family reunions, retirement communities, and so far, one wedding.
I will travel to homes, event spaces, restaurants, and other venues. His family/kids shows typically last 45 minutes to an hour.
“If I am ‘table-hopping’ the events could last two-to-three hours depending on the size of the space.”
Sometimes audience members will be asked to join Lynn on stage. He will also take advantage of the crowd to help out by providing input, repeating phrases, and other ways to participate throughout the program.
The shows offer tricks that involve cards, coins, ropes, hankies, cups, balls along with floating spheres, a ‘pom pom bar’, weird clothing items, blindfolds and more. He also does close-up and strolling magic, which are five-to-ten minute mini-shows involving the sponge balls, cards, coins, ropes and money.
Lynn said that after a trick is performed he hears laughing, cheering, clapping and sometimes, vocal outbursts.
“Hearing laughing and cheering is always great during the program, but I do love hearing from audience members afterwards as to what was their favorite part of the show,” Lynn said.
While his children enjoy his magic tricks, he said that by now they have caught on to some of the methods. “So far, none have taken an interest in performing, but I’m hopeful,” Lynn said.
Lynn’s favorite magician is David Blaine. “I remember seeing him on a TV special in the late 90’s and loved how he was able to take simple effects with ordinary objects and make them look extraordinary. I also loved the feats of strength and endurance that came with his specials.”
He is looking forward to performing at the Weston Library branch next week.
“I’m introducing some new effects so I am anxious to see how they play out,” Lynn said.