Preserving Magicians of the Past
Texas Magic Archive
Historical articles, preservation updates, and notes on magic archaeology throughout the great state of Texas.
Magicians in our Archive
The Secrets That Shaped Texas Magic
The Texas Magic Center is dedicated to preserving the rich history of magic in Texas. Through collecting artifacts, documenting stories, and celebrating the magicians who shaped the art, we ensure that their legacy is not forgotten. Our goal is to preserve the past, share it with today’s audiences, and inspire the next generation of Texas magicians.
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TAOM 2026
Magicians
Apparatus
Spotlight Magician
Walter "Zaney" Blaney
Walter “Zaney” Blaney (1928–2020) was a pioneering Texas magician, illusionist, inventor, and teacher whose career spanned more than six decades. Blaney helped shape modern illusion and establish his place in the history of Texas magic, while his impact beyond the stage was recognized when six Texas governors commissioned him as Texas’ Ambassador of Goodwill.
Magical Texans
Walter "Zaney" Blaney
Walter “Zaney” Blaney (1928–2020) was a pioneering Texas magician, illusionist, inventor, and teacher whose career spanned more than six decades. Blaney helped shape modern illusion and establish his place in the history of Texas magic, while his impact beyond the stage was recognized when six Texas governors commissioned him as Texas’ Ambassador of Goodwill.
Scott Wells
Scott Wells is a Texas magician, lecturer, author, and podcaster whose career has spanned more than four decades. Wells is best known as the creator and host of The Magic Word Podcast, a long-running program featuring conversations with some of the most influential figures in magic, approaching the remarkable milestone of 1,000 episodes.
Bill "Merlin" Palmer
Bill “Merlin” Palmer (b. 1942) is a Houston-born magician, lecturer, author, translator, and historian whose career has made him an important figure in the development of Renaissance Festival magic in Texas. Palmer’s legacy encompasses performance, scholarship, collecting, and the preservation of magic’s history.
Scott Hollingsworth
Scott Hollingsworth is a Texas magician, author, inventor, and teacher who has devoted more than five decades to the art of magic. Hollingsworth is perhaps best known for his 27 years as resident magician and Entertainment Director at Magic Island, Houston’s renowned five-star magic dinner theater. Through his performances, writings, lectures, and mentorship, Hollingsworth has made a lasting contribution to the history of Texas magic.
