Midwest in the winter

Hello Magic Fans! For pictures of this tour click: UP Tour! From there click on the thumb nails for details on the pics. For those of you who own a calendar, you will notice that the Midwest and New England Blogs are slightly out of sinc. Never the matter, I had a few stories about the first tour I wanted to share and some people that I wanted to thank personally. My father, The Master of Wit and Magic Frank Everhart Sr, always said, “I am one of the richest men that ever walked. Not where it mattered to some $$$$. . . but I have friends everywhere I go and that is worth more than millions ever could be”. It is only now that I tour I began to realize the truth of that statement. As much as I love the adventure of travel, it would have been much more burden than less bravado had it not been for the friends I have had throughout the years and the friendsI have now.     I arrived in Central Michigan after one bizarre route that lead me from Key West through La Guardia before finally arriving at Flint-Bishop. I know it sounds strange, but given that the month was February, I don’t hesitate to think that American Airlines might have flown me through Heathrom if they thought it might avoid a snow storm. I came in late that night. I was met at the airport by the most sporttive of my friends, Dennis Neic of the Tapwater Conchs (www.tapwaterconchs.com) and after a brief stop at one of our fav’ local Taverns, Tee-Bonz, I stayed the night with Dennis and his family.    The next day we embarked on a bar tour that spanned Central and Northern Michigan. Amidst the magic, good times and fireplaces there was this little thing going off in the back of my head that reminded me I had just left Key West in February. I am almost absolutely sure that this thought was solely triggered by the presence of fireplaces. In the words of my dear friend, Officer Mike Snook, It was an act of ‘sheer genius’. Officer Snook acually drove to the Northern Michigan leg of the tour. This road trip gave me my first real appreciation for On-Star. The Zilwakee bridge was out, forcing us to attempt an alternative route through Saganaw, Michigan. The neighborhood got progressively worse every ten feet! I would not have worried so much except on this occasion, my companion had forgotten his trusty side arm, which in my opinion was made for just such a time. We decided that when the Michigan Department of Transportation was no longer brave enough to go forth befrore us and plant signs to guide us through our involuntary detour, it was time to ask for assistance. The only friend we had in that neighborhood was the smiling button on the rear view mirror that said, “On-Star”. I promised Snook I would not tell everyone that we had to call on star, but I had to make some small mention of it as too many people had already found out in Michigan. To maintain some degree of his integrity when it comes to navigational skills, I will deny the general public the details that followed. I do wish to say this though, I think On-Star should come with celebrity voices if it does not already. Think of  the fun you could have being navigated by Red Fox or Mr T.    The tour blew away the local populations surrounding Timothy’s pub in Gaylord and the Redwood in Lewiston. Two great stops I always love to make thanks to Joe Tenbusch. I returned to Central Michigan and with the help of My friend Marty Kane, I made my first appearance at the Crossbow in Grand Blanc. It was the surprise hit of the tour! I must confess that wonderful moment didn’t occur until after I had a Magical opportunity to perform For Dennis and Kim Niec’s children at their schools. Their oldest daughter, Delany was in the sixth grade. I was able to do a 20 minute show for four of her classes and speak a little on the value and opportunities of the vocational arts. We then went to Gracey’s school (First grade) and believe it or not it was career day! I did a couple of tricks, said a few words, and blew up a lot of balloons (or bloons’ as they are called at that school). The God given bonus came two days later when I was doing a show in Marty Kane’s private Hurricane Lounge (I’ll do a separate piece on that place one day) when in walked kim Niec with a hand full of letters from those first graders. I received a stack of thank you’s that warmed my heart that day better than any Michigan fire place could have ever done!    I also had the opportunity to do some magic for the children of  Dennis and Kim’s church that week. I should have some pictures attached to this blog on my return to Key West. It was probably the most memorable trip I have had in Michigan yet. I want to thank hypnotist Kieth Kotcher for showing up from such a long distance and fellow magician Chris Reesman for helping supply the show for the children. I also what to thank my friends Steve and Sherri Ruth, Dennis and Kim Neic, Joe and Diane Tenbusch, Marty and Ann Kain and Farah for going out in the cold to get Red Bull. We are now planning a tour in Northern Michigan with the Tapwater Conchs This July. I will let you know more about that as it unfolds.    In the mean time, I am starting to dream about palm trees. It must almost be time to go home to Key West. So for now:I’ll see ya’ back at Schooner Wharf!Frank Everhart Jr.PS I would love everyone to raise a glass to fallen percussion legend, Carlos Benthien. He passed away this week after a battle with cancer. He will be forever missed and treasured in the entertainment community..