Jim Barber & Seville

photo by Stephanie Phillips – Image Works, Inc | high-res version download Watch Streaming Video of the Awards Presentation

In the presence of a full-house audience, Branson entertainers Dave & Denise Hamner and Jim Barber were the honored recipients of the prestiguous “Merlin Award” by the International Magicians Society (IMS). The awards were presented during the 506th performance of the Hamner Barber Variety Show on August 12th, 2006 by the World President of the IMS, Mr. Tony Hassini.

This is the second time The Hamners have received a Merlin Award. In 1999 they won “Best Manipulation” and according to Tony Hassini, The Hamners performance level is even higher now than it was then.

This is the first time in the society’s 38 year history that a Merlin Award has been presented to a ventriloquist. As Tony Hassini explained to the audience, “Jim started out as a magician… he knows magic, and along the way he took that magical talent and brought it into ventriloquism. He does magic with the dummies!”

The International Magicians Society (IMS) is the world’s largest magic society as recorded in the Guinness Book of World Records. The IMS began in 1968 and now has over 37,000 members worldwide. It was created to help promote and preserve the art of magic and provide a format where magicians (and magic hobbyists) could share their secrets and ideas.

In the profession of magic, the Merlin statuette is the equivalent of the Oscar for film, the Emmy for television, and the Tony for theater. It is presented only to those entertainers who have achieved the highest level in their craft. The voting members begin with approximately one hundred names and narrow the list down to a select few. The criteria considered for a winner include talent, showmanship, originality, skills, and above all, the rare ability to entertain under any conditions.

The Merlin Award statuette was commissioned to over 100 art students from various colleges across the country. The winning design was carved and created in 1968 by New York University art student Carol Michaud.

Some of the more famous winners of the Merlin Award for excellence in magic include: Harry Blackstone, Doug Henning, Siegfried & Roy and David Copperfield.

whosaidTHAT?
JIM BARBER IN THE ED SULLIVAN-THEMED SHOW “A REALLY BIG SHEW”
by JoAnn Smith – Editor - Laughlin Entertainer 
reprinted by permission – Feb 15-21, 2006 issue

The cleverly formatted show, “A Really Big Shew” currently playing in the Flamingo Laughlin, dips into the nostalgia barrel a bit and recreates the look and feel of the old Ed Sullivan Show of ’50′s-early ’70′s TV. With Jerry Hoban in the lead as Sullivan, the show brings a variety of acts to the stage that would otherwise be tough to catch. Thus, a trained dog act sets up a juggler which sets up a ventriloquist which sets up an impersonator… and on and on.

Jim Barber has an act in the current line-up of the show that fits the Sullivan mode to a T. Barber is a ventriloquist who is also a singer, a stand-up comic and a dancer (sort of) all rolled into one guy.

Some of the Minnesota snowbirds who make their way to Laughlin at this time of year may remember Barber as the co-host of a children’s TV show out of Minneapolis called Breakfast with Casey Jones.

It’s been awhile since Casey sat down to a bowl of oatmeal and Barber has gone on to many other TV shows, USO tours and comedy club stops along his path. But he continues to turn full grown adults in his audience into kids as he amazes and amuses with his unique brand of the art of ventriloquism.

Jim Barber recently talked with the Laughlin Entertainer about his career, his craft and the act he performs in the show.

Q. How did you get you start in show business?

A. I started doing shows for birthday parties and things like that when I was 11 years old. Oddly, the girl whose birthday party was the first one I ever performed for came to my show the other night and brought her kids. Her mom was the first person to ever pay me. She turned me pro.

Q. Do you still have your first puppet?

A. My first puppet was like Ernie on Sesame Street. It was a foam shell that I’d cut to make the body; one of my hands was his hand. I was 10 years old when I made that puppet and no, I don’t have it any more. My first “real” puppet was Freddie. He’s living in a suitcase in my office – he’s retired.

Q. You do a most unique bit in your act in which you “swap heads” with the dummy. Doesn’t that hurt?

A. Nobody’s ever done that. It’s become a hook of mine over the years. It takes some physical control to get my body to do that. I think if I actually went to the chiropractor and he “fixed-me,” I’d never be able to do it again. It’s fun for me to watch the audience when I first come out. They laugh… then they’re whispering “How’s he doing that”… while rubbing their necks. I don’t think they hear a word I say.

Q. What is the state of ventriloquism in today’s entertainment scene?

A. There are more ventriloquists working now than when I started in this business. It’s an ever growing number. There is a ventriloquist convention in July in Fort Mitchell, Kentucky, and about 500 ventriloquists show up. It’s the most unique thing watching all these guys playing with dolls. Jeff Dunham and I (*as well as many other professional ventriloquists) help train the up and coming ventriloquists. We teach them the best way to perform to keep the art growing. Even though there are more and more working professionals today than in years past, there still aren’t too many that make it to TV. The Tonight Show and Letterman stick to the straight stand-up comics. Ventriloquism works better live.

Q. Any new characters in the works?

A. I’m always working on new ideas for my theater in Branson, Missouri. We’re in our third season with The Hamners. Local audiences may remember them as they were part of the cast of “A Really Big Shew” with a magic/bird show.

I’ve got several things I’m working on but I don’t know how long it will take to develop them. I’m working on things all of the time.

Q. What drew you to “A Really Big Shew?”

A. I’m one of the original cast members who has been with the show from the beginning. I’ve been everywhere with this show… Reno, Vegas… doing corporate shows all over the country. I help create the routines for Topo Gigio and I also to the voice. I believe in this show and I see it growing and continuing to grow. I think it could be something great. I have a lot of optimism for the future of this show.

Related Websites:

Laughlin, Nevada Entertainer Magazine 
A Really Big Shew - Official Show Website

Comedian Jim Barber and illusionist team The Hamners announce today that they have purchased “The Victorian Theater” next to the Victorian Shopping Center on Shepherd of the Hills Expressway in Branson, Missouri.

In 2005 the venue will be officially renamed, the“HAMNER BARBER THEATER,” and will be the permanent home to their magical variety show featuring the award winning illusions of Dave and Denise Hamner as well as the vocal comedy of internationally recognized ventriloquist Jim Barber.

There are plans to upgrade many aspects of the theater including the addition of a new marquee sign in front of the theater on Shepherd of the Hills Expressway.

Continuing their long run at the theater will be one of Branson’s original productions, the Braschler Music Show. For over 22 years, the Braschlers have entertained audiences across America. Their repertoire includes country, bluegrass, gospel tunes, and comedy featuring the vocals of Cliff Braschler, Tommy Fairchild, Paul Braschler, Brad Bacon, Sherri Braschler Weiss, Jan Braschler, Merissa Stacy, Gil Stockebrand, Tim Brooks, and Cortlandt Ingram.

“We are honored and thrilled that the Braschler family will remain an integral part of our theater line-up and we look forward to many years of sharing their awesome musical talent with Branson audiences,” stated Jim Barber. “We are also excited that Jan Braschler will remain in place as the theater’s box office manager,” added Dave Hamner.

Throughout the performance season, The Hamners will continue to host their “Solid Gospel Sundays” at the theater every Sunday morning at 10:00am. The free, non-denominational worship service will feature a variety of local performers along with inspiring sermons and speakers.

During November and December the theater will take on a decorative holiday flair and feature not only the Braschler’s Christmas show but also an expanded version of the Hamner Barber production, “The Wings of Christmas.” This new musical production is both magical and inspirational and stars Dave Hamner and Jim Barber in featured performance roles.

A special addition to the holiday show are original songs by T.J. Kuenster, longtime music conductor for Glen Campbell. T.J. wrote Glen’s top ten contemporary gospel hit, “The Greatest Gift of All,” and was the music composer for Don Bluth’s classic animated films “All Dogs Go To Heaven,” and “Rock-A-Doodle.” Also featured in the holiday production are Diane Barber, Denise Hamner, A. J. Heard, Ken Brown and Tim Lewis.

“We wish to thank the thousands of visitors and local area residents who came to watch our new production this year and especially thank all the wonderful ticket outlets, hotels, and travel groups who believe in our talents and promoted our show so well. We love Branson and are so gratefull to have this opportunity to settle down in such a beautiful facility and focus on producing the best family show possible for many years to come!”

The Hamners and The Barbers

Contact Information:
Hamner Barber Theater
3090 Shepherd of the Hills Expressway
Branson, MO 65616
417-334-4363 - Box Office

Jan Braschler - Theater Box Office Manager
417-334-4363

For Advance Ticket Reservations:
Vance L. Hebblethwaite - Administrative Assistant
1-888-335-2080 toll-free
417-334-4363

Related Websites:

Hamner Barber Variety Show Site
HamnerBarber.com