Conjurers, Carnies & Collectors Show No. 009

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Episode #009: James Taylor

Running Time 40:45

21 MB

This week we travel from Washington DC to Baltimore, MD to speak with James Taylor, editor and publisher of Shocked and Amazed! Magazine, and a supporter of this podcast.

Host Alex Kensington Writes:
Not a lot of folks have what it takes to jump down the rabbit hole of the sideshow world. but back in the early 90’s writer James Taylor did just that. With a journalist’s ear and eye, and the sardonic, sinister and cynical view that can only come from a native son of Charm City, Taylor went behind the bannerline to interview and record the lives of the Old Time Sideshow folks just when the neo-sideshow and dark circuses of the pre-millennial era where beginning to form and find audiences. It was the right place to secure a front row seat for the rebirth of a countercultural movement that is still moving forward today.

Shocked and Amazed! Magazine is an annual periodical of life on and off the midway. It has been a textbook to thousands into a way of life outside the work-a-day world of cubicles and failing 401Ks. Yet to those who would romanticize the seemingly self-determined life of the carny, James Taylor will quickly give you warnings. In the light of today’s economic woes, where the safe havens of security have evaporated — making the gypsy life look more desirable — he’ll remind you to never follow a carny behind a noisy generator truck on the midway. If you are destined to be mugged, no one will ever hear your screams.

Reviews Needed!
As always we want your comments, feedback and suggestions for guests. We invite your reviews on iTunes and Podcast Alley. You can write directly to the show at alex@nationalpodcastingcompany.com.

Next time on Conjurers Carnies & Collectors we load up and head west to Pittsburgh, PA to meet mentalist and author Rick Maue. On May 13th, the Iron City’s most skeptical man tells about spiritualism performance, haunted houses and other things that plague his dreams. Hear how he discovered his path replete with bends and questionable curves.

THANKS TO OUR UNDERWRITERS!
Conjurers carnies and Collectors is made possible by a grant from Shmaltz Brewing Company Makers of the Coney Island Craft Lagers, including “Sword Swallower” and “Albino Python”. Be sure to see the seasonally available brews such as “Freaktoberfeast” and “Human Blockhead”. Look for the freaks on the label at World Market, Whole Foods and fine beer retailers near you. A portion of its proceeds directly benefits Coney Island USA, a 501(c)3 Non-Profit.

And by Shocked & Amazed! Magazine, the planet’s only periodical dedicated to the novelty and variety performing arts, now in its 15th year of publication. Available at booksellers, comic book shops and fine tattoo parlours near you. Shocked & Amazed! Magazine– Ask for it by name!

Credits:
Produced By Moe Schoenfeld
Directed by Tarot Poesleeve
Audio engineering by Alexander Kensington
Edited and mixed by Otto Knowbetter
With Website design and RSS Feed engineering by Charon Henning

Podsafe Music by the Hoosier Hotshots

All content ©NPC 20009 The National Podcasting Company