Yup - still doing birthday partys......

OK....so I do get asked - you mean you tour the country on the corporate circuit, open for 25,000 people for Kenny Loggins and Wynona Judd in one week and then do a birthday party the next night......

Answer: YUP - sometimes I do.

WHY!?: Well firstly, I can't do them all. When my calendar permits and the location is appropriate I love to interact with the audience in that setting. You are up-close and personal you have kids and adults who have little expectation and you get to surprise them with a whole lot more laughs then thay ever realized they would get from a "birthday party" magician.

AND...who I am to have an ego to be 'above that.' Birthday parties is where I started performing when I was a kid and I don't want to give it up.

PLUS - you get to meet some incredible people. Like tonight. Just got back from Springfield Ohio from doing an 82 year old bday party - Yeah really. The family always does a big party for "PaPa" John and I wanted to help them create a memorable experience.

The family was wonderful! We had a range of ages from about 2 years old through 82 and it was awesome. From Keith trying to trick me out of my money to Jacob becoming the instant magician at the end of the show -it was a wonderful experience for me and the family was a pleasure to meet.

And when you get an email like this....it just makes me feel special that I could be a part of it.

Jon,
I wanted to thank you again for making my Father's 82nd Birthday an amazing event. Our family cannot stop talking about your performance.
What was truly amazing to me is that you entertained everyone from
ages 2 to 82. I hope you had a safe trip back home to your family,
and THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU. You are a gifted performer. We look forward to seeing you in the future.

Kara

Just fun...from UPS pilots and service team

After just coming off a wonderful event with Perry Corporation and talking about those who can do their very best work while having some fun with what they do - I thought instead of forwarding yet another "read this and foward type emails" - I'll just post it here.

It's a fun & quick read, however I know real idea as to its validity. If it's not true, it was still funny and proves my overall point.

So here it is - enjoy
Sincerely

Jon Petz - Motivational Speaker

-----------------------
UPS Air Cargo

> After every flight, UPS pilots fill out a form, called a 'gripe
> sheet,' which tells mechanics about problems with the aircraft. The
> mechanics correct the problems; document their repairs on the form,
> and then pilots review the gripe sheets before the next flight.

> Never let it be said that ground crews lack a sense of humor. Here
> are some actual maintenance complaints submitted by UPS pilots
> (marked with a P) and the Solutions recorded (marked with an S) by
> maintenance engineers
>
> P: Left inside main tire almost needs replacement.
> S: Almost replaced left inside main tire.
>
> P: Test flight OK, except auto-land very rough.
> S: Auto-land not installed on this aircraft.
>
> P: Something loose in cockpit
> S: Something tightened in cockpit
>
> P: Dead bugs on windshield.
> S: Live bugs on back-order.
>
> P: Autopilot in altitude-hold mode produces a 200 feet per minute descent.
> S: Cannot reproduce problem on ground.
>
> P: Evidence of leak on right main landing gear.
> S: Evidence removed.

> P: DME volume unbelievably loud.
> S: DME volume set to more believable level.
>
> P: Friction locks cause throttle levers to stick.
> S: That's what friction locks are for.

> P: IFF inoperative in OFF mode.
> S: IFF always inoperative in OFF mode.
>
> P: Suspected crack in windshield.
> S: Suspect you're right.

P: Number 3 engine missing
S: Engine found on right wing after brief search

P: Aircraft handles funny.
S: Aircraft warned to straighten up, fly right and be serious.

P: Target radar hums.
S: Reprogrammed target radar with lyrics.

P: Mouse in cockpit.
S: Cat installed.

P: Noise coming from under instrument panel. Sounds like a midget pounding on something with a hammer.
S: Took hammer away from midget..

It's truly the Best of the Best...A Festival!

I'm not just saying that because it's the name of my upcoming book - The best of the best festival in the country resides in little Lancaster, Ohio about 30 miles South of Columbus.


You've seen and been to many fairs or festivals I would imagine, but this is something to behold. Firstly, it's about 10 days long and takes place a multiple venues around the town. From musical groups, comedy, magic, juggling - you name it. My role, I got to do the pre-show entertainment for the two bigger musical acts - Tonight was Wynona Judd and next Sat. is Kenny Loggins. Two names I haven't worked with before and have been looking forward to.


Let me set the scene: Prior to the Wynona show - I look out and see hundreds of tables in the outdoor arena set to the hilt - people partying and having a great time. Behind the fancy tables several thousand additional people purchasing lawn seats for the show.



After my show - A full symphony takes the stage. This symphony has hand picked the "Best of the Best" musicians from around the world and fly them to Lancaster for this 10 day event. It is directed by San Francisco's Gary Sheldon who has done so for over 10 years. It also featured Richard Stoltzman - who is considered one of the top clarinet players in the world. Simply put...they were magnificent. They came complete with a special treat which was a bell player from the Netherlands....not the bells you ding with your hands. This contraption was huge -picture a piano like apparatus that is connected to full size bells. If I can find a photo I'll post it. Even for those who would not normally go to the symphony - it was AN AWESOME experience.



Right after the Symphony, Wynona Judd came out and sang just beautifully accompanied by the Lancaster Symphony. It was a beautiful night for a concert and she did a wonderful job which the 20,000 plus crowd really enjoyed.

Immediately following her performance, fireworks begin to BOOM, like right overhead. I've never been so close to them. OF COURSE the music was being played by the Symphony in perfect unison. It was an emotional and tremendous experience.

If could see one festival show a year - go see the Lancaster Fest shows! Hat's off to Lou Ross, the executive director and his talented team to make all this happen.


Keep your eyes peeled at the bookstores for the "Best of The Best" book due out soon. It's published by Insight publishing and I've seen all the final edits. Last I heard it was on its way to press.

Thanks for reading!

Jon Petz - Motivational Speaker
Corporate Entertainer

MY run in with the American Idols tour 2008 - Why don't they scream for me that way...American Idol Tour 2008

A Motivational speaker and entertainer verse a rock star? HHmmmm?

I had the privilege of working with The American Idol Tour in 2007 and had the chance again today thanks to Net Jets and Mills James Productions who brought me in for the event. (At least I knew a few names this year as all I knew last year was that Sanjiya guy - however you spell it)

As the Idols were backstage waiting to come out for a meet and greet and as the line grew for their autographs I had to keep the crown engaged and smiling. Funny - even when I did some of the coolest sleight-of-hand moves you could imagine, some of the girls in line couldn't take their eyes off of the two David's. The were just screaming! Funny how they don't scream for magicians that way -OH...to be a rock star one day.......and just forget the card tricks. It would be so simple.

SHOWTIME - great blog from photographer David Ziser

I was asked to be a guest speaker at the ISES chapter in Cincinnati (international Special Events Society) and to focus on the "SHOWTIME" component of my teachings. Great experience for me and met some fantastic event planners and event suppliers.

Thank you all for your hospitality - it was a great experience for me. Check out a very talented photographer and learn about the trade: http://digitalprotalk.blogspot.com/2008/06/bbusiness-day-thursday-its-showtime.html