First off, any theater teacher is going to tell you that if you don't have a strong ego, you ain't gonna make it in show biz. Secondly, I've yet to meet a genuine "artist" performance or otherwise, that didn't have an ego. . . or at minimum, come off a bit smug. . . and from the U.S. perspective, there's lot's of UK acts that do just that. . . a friend of mine that was recently visiting over there couldn't believe how much ego oozed from a handful of self-important lots who couldn't get their tricks to work when it was time or worse, they came off as a kiddie-party styled performer while believing themselves a world-class Mentalist (his descriptions not mine).
Secondly, I'm tame compared to most of the teachers I've had over the years. Vernon used to crack people's knuckles with his wand for doing stupid things, Kirkham was known to slap you up back of the head and given his temper, things could get to be a bit more of a row. I won't even get into how short things were working in a real carney joint and side show or how cold the Teamsters could get. In other words, the real world is tough and direct and not a place for dreamers and those with fantasies as to what it's like in said world. It's dog eat dog and you must always be on guard when it comes to protecting your gigs; first, there's those weekend warrior sorts that will gladly undercut your fees and cause a breach of agreement with a client by doing a show at a fraction of the rate. . . this is probably the biggest pain in the hind-side pros must deal with followed by the less honorable pros that will do the same sort of thing but in ways that are more encompassing. This is typically a "Production Company" that can bring more to the table than an independent showman. So once again, we find a reason why some people in this industry get short -- preachy and defensive, which can come off as "arrogant" but there is one other factor -- EXPERIENCE. Contrary to rumors spread in this particular forum, that's one thing I do have (4 decades worth at minimum) and on top of that particular heep, is my work with and succession to the actual Thurston-Rock Legacy with a huge chunk of Dante's & Blackstone, Sr's collections tied to it by proxy. I'd think being named the key successor to such a legacy speaks rather strongly even though we were forced to sell the inventory in order to cover medical costs around my Mentor and his wife's illnesses. Nonetheless, I have hands on knowledge on that equipment which very few people can claim. That's before we get into my role with Creative Illusion and various performers as an effect designer and routine choreographer for which I've won personal as well a team related accolades. In other words, I've got more than a few logical reasons for coming off with a bit of authority and "ego".
I do not mean to "talk down" to people though I do intend to challenge folks to THINK and think things through. I want to encourage them to not take the short-cuts and expect more of themselves -- I want to see US improve the horrid reputation magic & magicians have in the eyes of the laity. That's my only agenda and why I call a pile of sh** -- SH**.
I do not claim to be any kind of "mega star". . . though I'm a solid showman, I'm better known as a technician and developer. I'm a working stiff that's served as a warehouseman in the Blackstone warehouse and that of others. I've had some very excellent chapters in my life when I made more money that most can imagine and likewise gone long years without, it's how any business goes and more so when you lack business savvy, which I do.
I'd like to thank TonyB for his comments, I never realized he understood things about me so well.
