Published May 2003

Meyers bitten by
‘magic bug’ as
a young child

By John Wolcott
SCBJ Editor

“I grew up in a Norman Rockwell painting. I had very supportive parents, a nice family, and Elkhart, Indiana, was a nice place to be a kid,” recalled magician Bruce Meyers, who was born there in 1950.

While growing up, he spent a lot of time at his parents’ grocery store. Among the many attractions were the baseball cards that were catching a lot of attention from kids in those days. But what really grabbed young Meyers’ attention was the collection of cards with magic tricks from Blackstone the Magician, who was nationally popular at the time.

“The first card I got, I tried it out. It was a silly trick, but it worked. I tried it on my friends, and it worked. I got more cards and tried those tricks. Soon, I had my dad order the whole set of cards. I had gotten the bug,” Meyers said.

So began what turned out to be a lifelong love of magic. But it was much more than that, it was a “bug,” a “knack” and a “love” that led to his life’s work and a “magic” business that has kept him busy professionally for more than three decades.

“There weren’t many magicians in those days. Elkhart, in fact, had 45,000 people — but no magicians. So I got books from the library and pursued magic on my own,” he said.

But then came a big break for Meyers. The nearby vacation town of Coleman attracted Harry Blackstone, who came there to relax and work on acts for his next season. Soon, other magicians began gathering there with him. Someone started a magic store that, for a time, claimed to be the largest in the world.

Meyers was able to meet many of the biggest names in show-business magic in those days.

“They helped me along, gave me advice. I attended all their shows. Then, at 12, I had my first public show, at a Cub Scout Blue and Gold banquet. Everybody had a fabulous time, including myself. Once again, the chemistry worked for me. Afterward, a scout ran up and handed me an envelope. Someone had put $5 inside,” Meyers said with a grin.

In his teens, he began doing magic shows at business sales meetings, for Masonic lodges, golf clubs, restaurants, then schools.

“It just grew. I was badly bitten by the bug,” he said.

Related: Meyers finds niche in corporate, nonprofit events market

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