William B. Rugh, OM, MMC
Magic Biography
I began to learn magic from Noble Wyatt (a local magician) in 1956, when I was eight years old. Some years he, my father, and I would travel from our home in Alton, IL to St. Louis to see the magic shows at some of the Midwest Magic Jubilees held there. My first magic shops were also located in St. Louis: Don Lawton's and Devoe's Magic Den.
Besides local shows, I was entered in the talent contests at the 1964 BSA National Jamboree in Valley Forge.
I started joining magic organizations after college when I was transferred to Toledo, OH. I am a member of the International Brotherhood of Magicians (IBM), the Society of American Magicians (SAM), The Magic Circle (England), The Magic Collectors Association, an Academy for the Magic Arts Educational Foundation (AMAEF) Friend of Magic, and the International Magicians Society (IMS).
While living in Brazil, I joined the Círculo Brasileiro De Ilusionismo with the stage name of Mr.Bill.
I usually go to several conventions each year, such as IBM National Convention, the SAM National Convention, Abbott's Get-Together, Columbus Magi-Fest, and, of course, the Glass City Conjuror's Conclave.
IBM - International Brotherhood of Magicians - Ring 68 - Toledo, OH
I joined the IBM and Ring 68 in 1974. In 2000 I became a member of the Order of Merlin; and also in 2000 I received Lifetime Membership Award.
In Ring 68, I have served as Secretary, Treasurer (six years), Vice President, and President. In 1979 I did the paperwork to incorporate the Ring, which included chairing the effort to write our by-laws.
In 1979 a group of us started planning to turn an installation banquet in to a one-day convention. I chaired that effort and in 1980 we presented the first true Glass City Conjurors Conclave (called the 8th for continuity with the earlier installation banquets). I served on the Conclave Committee for many years and chaired more than one Conclave. By 1982, I had developed a method for handling close-up shows where the audience would not see any dead time between performers. This involved having more performers than tables and stagger-starting the performances; over the years, other groups have adopted this system. In 1983 we changed our fiscal year and separated the installation banquet from the Conclave. The Conclave expanded to two days in 1983.
In 1980 I started a Ring newsletter, The Glass Wand; and edited it for seven years. This was usually four pages long with an insert, for dues paid members only, presenting the Minutes, Treasurer's Report, etc. Once, it grew to eight pages. Some members had regular columns at various times.
I chaired the committee to write an installation ceremony in June, 1987.
I was involved in planning and emceeing all of the Ring Old West Ends shows
which were presented in the early to mid 1980s.
I have received the Ring 68 President's Award in 1981 and the Ring 68 Distinguished Service Award in 1983.
More recently, I have been part (as an organizer) of the 2001, 2002, 2003, and 2005 An Evening/Afternoon of Close-Up Magic performances.
SAM - Society of American Magicians - Assembly 105 - Toledo, OH
I joined the SAM and Assembly 105 in 1979. In 2000, I became Life Member #206.
On August 5, 1997, a group of us reactivated Assembly 105. I have served as
Secretary, Treasurer, and President. We started a Society of Young Magicians
group, but are not an official assembly yet.
Mystic Productions, LLC & Holy Toledo ... The Magic Convention!
In 2003 and 2004 the local IBM Ring decided not to hold their Convention, so
three of us decided to put on our own for those two years. In addition, we reactivated
the conest for those two years. In 2003, our convention featured:
The Pendragons
Sean Bogunia
Tom Craven
Andrew Dyko
Troy Hooser
Michael Lair
Stuart McDonald
Joanie Spina
Meir Yedid
Pattrick Przysiecki
Jania Taylor
In 2004, our convention featured:
Danny Archer
Aaron Balcom
Eugene Burger
Simon Lovell
Andrew Martin
Pattrick Przysiecki
Jamy Ian Swiss
Mystic Emporium, LLC
From 2003 thru 2004 five of us decided to try to bring a brick & mortar magic shop back to Toledo. We found that there were magicians who would rather pay up to 20% more (plus shipping) to order over the internet and have it delivered to their home, than drive to a shop. Young people don't seem to even think of looking for a shop before they go to the internet. The internet has made a very marginal business vertually untenable in this size market.
During this period, I joined the Magic Dealers Association (MDA).
Toledo Magic, LLC
in 2005, three of us are trying to set up a buying club for the local magic community.