This week I want to give a shout out to some people I really admire and appreciate.
Obviously I can’t list everyone, and if you don’t find your name below, please don’t take it wrong.
Maybe I just want to remain a secret admirer of you …
First and foremost, a shoutout to Ken Groves who will likely never see this article. (He isn’t exactly computer savvy.)
Ken has been a good friend for so many years. When my ex left the magic show, it was Ken who helped me re-invent my career. Without his sage wisdom and encouragement, I’d probably be a fry cook at Wendy’s.
Although in truth – that was the advice he gave me.
A shout out to Mark Wade, the executive director of the Vent Haven International Ventriloquist ConVENTion.
Over the years, Mark and I have become close friends. He and Jody have been kind enough to allow me to stay with them during my times in Florida. (Ask to stay in the Gary Owen Suite if you are ever invited.)
I’m honored to work with Mark on the VH ConVENTion and appreciate all he has done to help me. If it weren’t for him, Maher Studios would simply be a bit of vent history and the I.V.S. would not exist.
A shout out to Chuck Lyons – another good friend who has helped me out so much. Chuck is a great guy, he listens when I need to talk and pitches in to help when he can. Chuck is the reason Maher & the I.V.S. have a booth at the conVENTion each summer. He doesn’t even get mad when I wear a Vinnie Ewert t-shirt.
Shout outs to Eddie Siller and Ann Seeton, both of whom stepped up to help the I.V.S. Eddie runs our IVS Twitter page and moderates the forums on MaherStudios, VentriloquistSociety and the Learn-Ventriloquism sites.
Ann has set aside time to write feature blog articles on I.V.S. members. These appear over on the VentriloquistSociety.com blog.
Shout outs to Dan Horn and Mike Palma, both good friends who have created courses available on Maher Studios.
If you want to know how to build a ventriloquist dummy, Mike’s course is like a college education!
And of course, Dan Horn’s Master Manipulation is a master class in puppet manipulation.
Shout outs to Mark Truman, Virginia & Wally Petersen and David Carr & son for their friendship and help at the Vent Haven ConVENTion. Without them, the showroom would have serious issues!
A Shout out to Terry Fator, one of the nicest pros in this business. I always appreciate talking to and spending time with him when schedules permit. Thank you for being an inspiration Terry!
A shout out to Jay Johnson, Jim Barber and Todd Oliver, three more pros who I am lucky to consider friends. Each of them inspires me to work harder at this art.
A shout out to I.V.S. contributors – Colin Dymond, David Weyrick, Dennis Murphy, David Crone, Mariano Dilema, Wanlu and the I.V.S. Philippines, Gordon Ross, Calindo, Neale Bacon, Martin Rosvall, David Fowler, and all of the members who send in their latest news for updates!
A shout out to my friend Daniel Jay who runs CyberVent. Thanks for all you do for the community!
Another shout out to Al Getler! A very funny man and one people should follow. Thanks for putting up with my sense of humor when I respond to your emails.
Of course, a shout out to Dale Brown. Dale is a blogging inspiration and a heck of a nice guy. (He isn’t a bad vent either!)
A shout out to Jeff and team Dunham. Thanks so much for your hospitality when you head toward Baltimore.
A shout out to the Detweiler family for allowing me to continue the tradition of Maher Studios. It is an honor.
A shout out to everyone who has purchased Learn-Ventriloquism and any of the Maher Courses. Your patronage is appreciated.
Ditto to all members of the International Ventriloquist Society.
I know I’m forgetting people – and I’m truly sorry if it is you.
Just know that I do appreciate you for reading this blog and just being there.
If it were not for you, this article wouldn’t even matter.
Thank you!!!
