AKA Ron Fredrick
At the age of fifteen, after having seen and been fascinated by many magicians, I found some books in the school library. The rest is, as they say, history.
I was working at Kodak in 1953 and doing as much work as magic for my fellow employees when word of a magician in the plant got to Joe Taylor. Joe invited me to his office and we spent a lot of time together. Eventually Joe invited me to a S.A.M. meeting and in September, 1953 I became a member of Assembly #47. During the next seven years I learned a great deal from the club members.
I have been a part-time professional magician for more than 45 years. Although I have cut back on public performances, I have been performing more at magic gatherings and conventions. When I asked my old friend, Bob Follmer, "Why?".... he said, "Your sh-t is so old, it's new!"
There were three people who influenced my approach to magic. The first was Paul Estee who endlessly emphasized that entertainment was "Job One". The second was Danny Johnson who showed me what "misdirection" really was. Finally, Vern Chesbro, who opened up the underground world of serious close-up magic.
Over the years I have written three booklets and countless articles and convention reviews. In 1958, I wrote Commercial Card Magic as a token of gratitude to the members of S.A.M. Assembly #47. In the 1980's I wrote The Professional Routines of Ron Fredrick and notes for my lecture, It's Commercial. There are also tricks, routines and reviews in most of the major (and minor) magic magazines from 1960 to present.
I love all phases of magic, but close-up is my favorite. I love being able to interact with a spectator. To improvise, ad lib and just "wing it" is the ultimate. Luckily I was able to perform countless times at Eddie Fechter's Forks Hotel.
Magic has been good to me. I have met so many fascinating and wonderful people as well as most of my closest friends through magic.
Magic has changed my life. Once I was a nice, shy introvert. Now, I'm an obnoxious SOB!
