AN INTERVIEW VIA E MAIL WITH THE FUNNY AND DELIGHTFUL BILL DEMAR

Hi Bill I would like to do an interview with you, you didn't have the time at the convention so I thought I'd ask the questions here...
1. You were born in Evansville Ind. Tell me about your childhood growing up there when and who influenced your early stages of vent?
Was a radio fanatic, listened to all the sitcom shows, learned to do all the voices, about 3,000, well 50 eventually anyway. So I did impressions and learned pocket magic also, and eventually vent, from Edgar Bergen, it’s all in my book You bought it, didn’t you read it?

2. While in the Military was there anyone who influenced you and did you entertain the
troop?
I wound up in special services and traveled around Europe doing shows.
It’s all in my book, didn’t you read it?
3. Is there a Mrs Demar? So tell us about your family life, children... brothers/sisters

Married twice, to my chagrin, two sons. Had five younger brothers and sisters, two brothers are dead.
4. What was the name of the vaudeville troup you shared the stage with during your
Vaudeville days?
I’m going to come and slap your face!! Vaudeville was before my time. Well, there might have been one or two left over shows. I worked the last minstrel show.

5. In 1963 while you were at the Carousel Club tell me about your act and feeling before and after the fateless day on Nov 22nd
I emceed and the Carousel Club plus my vent acts and some magic and mentalism.

6. Where did your career take you after Dallas '63
I went to NY again and worked Main, Boston and the Wonderama Show along with ‘ABBA’.

7. Have you done any TV work or Radio...Was there any movies you appeared in?
Did some TV when the local filled some of the time with there own TV shows, I was ‘chuckles’ or ‘crispy’ or some such Clown doing a kiddies show for some potatoes chip Co. Did radio as a DJ in Mt Vernon, In. only lasted three days, Because I was Catholic and he didn’t want Catholics taking over his station, there was one there already. He like to Had gone nuts trying to get the manager, who stuttered, except when he did the news, to get rid of me, but the Manager, who was a preacher on the side, was not cooperative.

8. What awards have you been presented with over your long career?
I have 5 vent awards, three magic awards and four civic awards.

9. How long have you been attending The VH Con what are some of your memorable moments?
Doing several shows, all ending with SOs

10. What about the other conventions what were they where were they and those
standout moments.
Appeared on the ‘Silent Mora’ convention in Boston, the IBM convention in Columbus, Ohio, the convention In Gatlinburg, Tn. The Colon convention a couple of times, the Can/Am convention in Fargo, ND.( I was president Of the Mpls. Magic Ring. A magic convention in Winnipeg, Canada. Seems like there were some others I can’t recall.

11. I must say it was an honor and a privaledge to meet you and look forward to it again
next year....
12. If there was one way to sum up your career what would that be?
MEMORABLE, EVENTFUL, EXCITING, ENJOYABLE
13. Thank you Uncle Bill for sharing with my readers your wonderful career...

As You can see Not only does Bill want me to read his book that he had signed for me but he would also like those readers who have interest to bye and read it as well. Hope you all liked this little interview...let me know and I will post it here for all to read....

HAPPY ANNIVERSITY

Good Morning to all the readers here at ventriloquially Yours Here is a very important message, well its a milestone in the world of Dr. Clinton Detweiler, well maybe not a real doctor but in the eyes of many in the world of ventriloquism he is a Doctor, he has repaired many broken vent figures in the many years he has owned Maher Studios. In fact tomorrow August 1st will mark the 40TH ANNIVERSARY OF Clinton and Adelia Detweiler's ownership...Thank you for a job well done...Go visit Newsy Vents and see for your self

NJ

A POEM BY RANDY RESH

Ventriloquist
The silent treatmentspeech by proxy
You spectacular the actorthous
and word character
Ever adept at throwing your voice
projecting for that matter
and in far too many manners
Vicarious ventillate ventriloquist
sinuous insidious soliloquist lisp
manipulate mistress envisioness 'chantress
closet reverberant revisionist
Passive aggressive psychopath masking
vacillate vicious puppeteer painting
Split personality tragic entangling
plasticine figurine portraiture gesturing
Shower me with silence
implied infernal inference
innuendo mixed with delusions fantastic
illusions illustrious obverse apparent
You the so mechanic inclined
mute maneuvering manipulate mime
force onto lever sting pulling strings
pervert exert thineone act wonder breath-taking
And though I've since caught your number
such enough for thousand mask mirror
I ask you so with humility
and sincerest genuity
please, entertain me
Feed me with memory
however selective and failing
however discretionary entertain me
let us share a duel within our artistries
let us make war love amid resounding strings
speech stroking levers and echoing pulleys
let us lip sync between the medial territories
let us lip sync for incredible incredulous
insane reverberant
dissonant defiant glorylet us seek the sublime
transcendingart confounding staid sensibility
betraying reason most magnificently
art working alchemy uttering utterly
utter, beloved ventriloquist
utter, mine lover and enmity
feed me strangest synergyun
canny echoes of callingfeed me your symphony
veiled vocals dancingthous
and word choruspaint o' mime puppetting

ITS S Axtell's BIRTHDAY LETS ALL WISH HIM A BIG HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Hey everyone Its a special day coming for a special person
Lets all say Happy Birthday To Steve "AX" Axtell
Steve has taken a wooden world and softened up -Steve is the Disney of Ventriloquism
He has brought automation and wonder to the world of ventriloquism
Many Happy return of the day.

The Photos were printed with permission by Annie Roberts and photos by Phillips Jones

GROUP PHOTO OUTSIDE POOL 2009

FIRST TIMERS 2009

DIGDAGDOUG SENDS THIS INFORMATION TO SHARE WITH THE READERS

Hi, NJ - Come to think of it... there used to be a restaurant in Trenton, NJ, called "Timothy's". The owner was a woman, whose name I cannot recall, but she was a former beauty queen whose talent was ventriloquism. After her pageant days, she married, and together they bought restaurants, fixed them up and sold them. Timothy's was an old-school steakhouse in Trenton, NJ, and named for her vent figure. This one restaurant she kept for quite a while. The neat thing about "Timothy's" was that the walls were covered with autographed photos of vents from around the world (and some other notable entertainers). I visited once and brought a photo for the owners. My only claim to fame is that my photo was placed on the wall next to Bil DeMar! I believe the establishment is now closed. I don't know what became of the photos. I imagine they're in the hands of her family.I have new publicity photos now, myself. I don't look much like I did in the late '80's! lol! Doug

Those good old restaurants are a by gone history its too bad but I hope those pictures find their way to the Ventriloquist Museum in Ft Mitchell. N J

OK GET A LOAD OF THIS

DarylNORMAN wrote:> > > If other vents used a well known vent's catch phrases 'I Keel You' I don't think it matters if 50 or 500 vents use that line ...its already established who originated it belongs to them until someone comes along and re invents it, like Berle's I'll Keel you a millyoin times, or Jack Benny's Weeelll!! or Jimmy Nelson's Farfel... N E S T L E S Nestles make the very best chocolate...its known that it belongs to a certain comedian. I Think that by using it or re inventing the same phrase its a credit to the origionator, doesn't Dunham's Achmed The Dead Terrorist 'I Keel You' sound the same as Berle's? Each honors the one before.> One Man's Opinion:> N J and the Vent5

Hi Norman. I agree, but sometimes a bit can be modified with a nod to the owner, and make for a new wrinkle in a show. I sometimes ask, especially here in the South, "How many of you like Jeff Foxworthy?" Lots of hands go up, of course.Well, there are small, harmless, very pretty snakes with a brilliantly colored ventral surface and a bright ring around the neck - a reclusive, fossorial and rather prolific species called, appropriately enough, Ringneck snakes.Sooo... if the toe of an old tennis shoe is your idea of luxury accommodations, you might be a Ringneck.If slugs, grubs and salamander eggs are your idea of gourmet fare, you might be a Ringneck.That's as far as I usually go (though I have several more) but it's clearly a respectful nod to the originator, and I move on quickly after generating a couple of good laughs.

MARK EDSON SENDS THIS INFORMATION

Enjoyed your posting alot...the only things I've got going online are an older myspace page and a newer one listed under the myspace search : Mark Edson Co . With lots of VH pics. I have one You Tube video also under Mark Edson or Mark Edson/Terry Fator Parody. When you get a chance...check em out. Thanks again, Mark.

THESE PICTURES HAVE BEEN SUBMITTED BY WILMA SWARTZ FOR YOUR ENJOYMENT THEY COVER ALL ASPECTS OF THE CONVENTION

The above pictures were submitted by Wilma Swartz at the 2009 VH Convention Nina Conti and Monk, Wilma and Jay Johnson, one of the kids at Nina's short movie and Nina and Monk at the filming, Hey Wilma Hope that picture was meant for the vent figure and not my heiny, otherwise you'll need a wider lens, a pix of Mr. D in Renaissance Garb and the Rev. John Lutton, Thank you Wilma for your entries..I know the readers will enjoy them.

JUST GOT BACK FROM VENT HAVEN CONVENTION AND IT WAS A BLAST

This is the story of Vent Haven 2009, in words and pictures. This was one fun time, continuous laughter and merriment from Wed afternoon till Sat evening. For those who haven't gone , you have to make it a must do for the 34th in 2010...here is a story in brief encapsilated form...hope you enjoy...for those who have attended please leave some of your memories.

On Tuesday, July 14th, we had left Delray Beach heading for Ft. Lauderdale to board Delta's flight to Cincinnati/Kentucky Airport arriving at 3:30pm. It was one beautiful airport! Spotlessly clean with a subway that takes you from the plane to Baggage Claim. From there, we walked outside and waited for our shuttle to the hotel "Drawbridge" arriving at 4:30. After unpacking we met up with Wilma Swartz at the Drawbridge, as well as Mr. D. and one of his many female figures, who just happens to be all the same figure. Wilma was our tour guide around this neck of the woods. We ended up in Florence at an Italian restaurant. With some time still available we drove around and wound up back in Ft. Mitchell, again, and went shopping at Remke's. Returning to our room and being overly surprised by a wonderful birthday card given to me by Wilma, we yakked till 10:30pm, with Wilma showing us her vent figures, her Reverend character, her duck (Wilma I need you to fill in names), Squirrely Shirley, an Axtell figure. Barbara Phoenix finally showed up and then we went downstairs to see her car, the Smart Car that you see in the photo with pictures of all of her vent figures with Oregano and Friends.

Day 2 - July 15, 2009

Woke up at 6:15am and went down for breakfast which consisted of cereal, eggs, toast, juice, coffee/tea and honey buns, nice breakfast, right? Thought so mineself. After breakfast, with some free time, we went to the pool...it was very pleasant and quiet. Going back to the breakfast bar, joining up with Wilma and Barbara as they had their breakfast. We had another cup of coffee. After breakfast, we all piled into Wilma's van and headed over to Walmart to look for some oven mitts shaped like vent figure faces, and we weren't lucky so we then went over to Target and did the same. As we were walking thru the store we met up with a lady and her granddaughter who was pushing the wagon from the bottom. Look up and you'll see the picture. After leaving Target, we decided it was time to eat, again, so Waffle House here we come. On our return we stopped again at Barbara's smart car and met up with Johnny Price, exchanging business cards and chatted for a little while, and then Gary Lare pulled up and we helped him unload his car and bring it to his room, not knowing Gary well, yet, we exchanged our cards and made fast friends. Sometime after getting Gary to his room, the Rev. John Lutton arrived. We then went back to our room, changed into our jeans, and got ready for the 3:00 start of the Vent Haven conVENTion.

The line was not long when we got on to sign in.. but while waiting I met a friend from the Axtell

Forum (Mathew) I believe Mat has a bright future in the world of vent, Being this was the first time I went to the convention, there was a special orientation set up for us newbies, we were read the riot act regarding no cell phones, video taping or flash photography, while in the Show room or for that matter anywhere that a lecture or class was being given. Soon afterwards, in the same room, we got to "Meet The Pros". The official opening began around 7:00 with Mark Wade, Director of Vent Haven conVENTion, introduced J. S. Brooking, the president of Vent Haven Museum, followed shortly by the Wednesday evening show, which was MC'd by Pete Michaels and featured Dave Carr, Barbara Jean, and Nick Pawlow. Each performer was equal to the task. There was a small intermission after the show and before the round table discussion. The topic was "Discovering Your Creativity" moderated by Ken Groves. The panel consisted of our Director, Mark Wade, "The Two and Only"'s Jay Johnson, the wonderfully fabulous Lynn Trefzger-Joy, and Dan Horn. Jay showed up a little late due to the fact that his plane arrived late, but what a welcome he got when he did arrive. When the round-table concluded we then hustled over to the dealer rooms to either view or buy something new. After spending about an hour eyeing the new candy, which we didn't buy at this time, we then decided to go over to the Hospitality Room to meet Bob and Marty and have a drink. After chatting with some new friends, we decided to go outside, by the pool, and enjoy the evening. Thus, concludes our first day.

Day 3 Thursday July 16th

This morning we were greeted by Mark Wade, executive director of the Vent Haven conVENTion, after meeting with Wilma, Barbara Phoenix, Gary Lare, and the Rev. John Lutton sharing some breakfast. Before the conVENTion began, we met Jay Johnson and got to take a picture with him and he also signed a photo I brought with me, I also saw and chatted with Carol Greene, doing pictures and signings.

The first lecture of the day, "PUNCH: 6 Sure Fire Techniques to add Punch to Your Comedy Material" was given by Tom Ladshaw. "Comedy is the art of making people laugh without making them puke." - Steve Martin. It's a craft - the art of writing material. The 6 different techniques are: Specificity, be specific. Put the Juice on The Caboose, putting your funniest word last. Kickapoo. Characters in conflict. Kill the message. And, One more time.

The next lecture, given by Mike Bishop, "Marketing for Dummies and Their Owners." It's now time to break for lunch so we had sandwiches and sodas. Returning at 1:15pm for the Junior Open Mic MC'd by Bob Isaacson, who gave us a brief history of himself and then a talk on how to become a vent and a short performance. Bob has told us that 81 newbies attended this year's conVENTion. The junior open mic was opened with Pete Michaels Jr. and had several other acts to be listed later. Directly after the Junior Open Mic, Pete Michael Sr. MC'd the Senior Open Mic. All were received in high esteem. Names to follow. Next followed the celebration of Bob Isaacson's 60 years of performing. Dinner followed the celebration at Josh's Tavern, the steaks were great and priced reasonably. After dinner, everyone hit the dealer rooms, some of the many dealers that were there were MAT Puppets, Al Good, Axtell Expressions, One Way Street,

Imaginarium Galleries, Gottle of Geer, Figure Fashions, Lee Cornell, Ventriloquist Sideshow, Pittsburgh Puppetworks, Al Alfaro, to name just a few.

From 7:30pm to 8:30pm we had a lecture: "The Art of Splitting" given by Sammy King, that's doing 2 or more characters at the same time. Open Mic Session 1 was given by Bob Rumba at 8:45pm, followed by Open Mic Session 2 given by Pete Michaels at 9:45pm. At 10:00 PM, the dealer rooms opened again for those who did not get enough the first time. The crowds in both rooms were humongous.

We headed for the hospitality room around 11:00pm. Met Marty and Bob Hamill and a lot of other new friends. At about 11:45pm, we headed for our room to call it a night.

Friday July 17th

Today we woke up bright and early for our workshops. We took two workshops, Dan Horn's How to Use Puns Effectively and Nancy's Roth's Booking and Working Fairs. Both of these workshops were very educational and gave me alot of information.

Lecture #1 PUNS. We found our that puns are the lowest form of humor, yet Edgar Bergen made a career out of using puns. The worse the pun the better it is. An example, W. C. Fields says to Charlie McCarthy "I'll slice you into venetian blinds." Charlie's reply was "That makes me shutter." Or another example is when using a cloth figure, "I'll make you into drapes." Reply, "I guess that means curtains for me." Also when trying to name one of your figures, use a pun such as one of the ventriloquists used could be something like Richard Slimmons for Richard Simmons. A set-up for a punch line could be something like, "Toyota, Oh what a feeling." Etc., etc. etc.

Lecture #2 was FAIRS. The main ingredient in working fairs is to be sure to sell the fair and making the fair managers job easy by being prepared. There are many books on the subject recommend you read them. If you have any questions about which ones they are just get a hold of Nancy Roth or myself. Libraries are good sources of books.

At 9:15 AM- 11 AM the Junior Vent University opened.

GROUP PICTURES were now being taken at noon. Many of the pictures you see on this blog are a product of that time period. After the pictures were taken we piled into the car and went out to Burger King for lunch. Getting back to the dealer rooms just before the Kids Show Clinic with Mark Wade was presented. Mark brought in 50-60 kids from the local school for him to work to, must say Mark is one of the greatest kid vent in the country, possibly the world. After the kids show a round-table discussion was held moderated by Gary Owen. On the panel were Pete Michaels, Barbara Jean, Bob Rumba, and the late-comer, Kevin Johnson. The discussion was about How to Keep Your Creative Edge. Many great ideas came out of there along with some great questions. Next my dear friend, Jimmy Nelson presented "VENT VIDEOS." After the videos we moved on to Josh's Restaurant in the hotel dining on steak and salad. And then going back to the dealer rooms where I purchased a new girl puppet from Virginia Petersen, whom I haven't named yet. Anybody got any great ideas for a name and/or some dialogue? The grand part of the evening is yet to begin. Jay Johnson and his "The Two and Only" was presented and enjoyed by everyone present. Got to say No wonder he won an emmy. It was that good. Thank you Jay.

The next part of the evening was the Vent Haven raffle and due to the fact that it was our first Vent Haven conVENTion we bought $100 worth of tickets. We knew that the money was going to go to a worthy cause, the continued upkeep of the museum.

Next part of the evening was MC'd by Bob Rumba, and Oh before I forget, during the raffle Bob was Charlie Chaplin, and balloon man, making balloons for all the kids in the audience until he either ran out of air or time. The performers were Sammy King, Kevin Johnson, Jimmy Nelson, and Bob Isaacson. After the show was finished, Mark presented Sammy, Jimmy, and Bob with Lifetime Achievement awards, I was always curious about that. Does that mean that their life is over, or that they will not be able to achieve anything any longer. I'm confusiated!!!

Hey, guess what, that's right, the dealer rooms are open again for those who haven't gotten their fill yet. I know I haven't and so we ventured to Tom Ladshaw's booth for him to sign the book that was written by Bill DeMar. Thank you Uncle Bill for not forgetting to bring them. Great day, see you tomorrow......good night.

Ventriloquially Yours,
N Jay
Remember No Person Is Too Tall
To Not Stoop To Help Any Child