Magician Jim Tyler, who is better known as Diamond Jim, has been practicing magic since he was a child and performing professionally since 1986. He is the author of the best-selling book and video “Pockets Full of Miracles,” and has received awards for his close-up magic from the TAOM and IBM. He is co-owner of Magical Gadgets, Inc, a magic and toy store that’s based in Frisco, Texas. Diamond Jim recently released a new DVD, MIRRORS (look for a review soon, here at Magic & Illusion), and has developed numerous magic effects and marketed them worldwide. He recently took time out from his busy schedule to talk with Magic & Illusion.
Magic & Illusion: What inspired you to become a magician?
Diamond Jim: Many things attracted me to magic. As a child I was practicing magic that I had learned from books, but was equally interested in drawing, writing, reading about ghosts and studying criminology. Magic has allowed me to culminate all of the things I like along with my skills to create a very fulfilling profession.
M&I: What are your favorite magic tricks to perform?
DJ: My all time favorite trick is my Ring & String routine. Another favorite is my signed coin or borrowed ring to sealed sugar packet routine called “How Sweet It Is!”
M&I: Who are your magic heroes and why?
DJ: Some of the obvious ones are Dai Vernon, Tom Mullica, Lance Burton and David Copperfield. My most influential was my boss from the magic shop where I worked in as a teenager. The shop was called “Positively Magic” and the owner was Bill Ingram. Bill was an excellent performer and had a great sense of humor. In many ways, he was a father figure to me.
M&I: Please describe the best magic trick you have ever witnessed.
DJ: The best trick I have witnessed was done by my own hand. While performing the card on ceiling trick I had the most unexpected thing happen. I threw the cards, which hit the ceiling, but the chosen card did not stick. Not one to easily give up, I re-gripped the deck to toss it again when I noticed the "magic stuff" was not there, but on the ceiling. Thinking that I could hit the same spot, I frantically tossed the deck upwards, but alas, it was a bad toss. The deck spun out of control on its way up to the ceiling and hit the ceiling sideways. When the pack fell, the chosen card was left sticking out of the ceiling sideways! I think I was more impressed than my audience that night.
