Episode 84: Curtis the Mentalist is About to Break plus terrible gig stories with Piff the Magic Dragon and more!

Episode 83: Magic Show Horror Stories with The Amazing Johnathan, Johnny Thompson and more!

I walked around Magic live and asked a ton of magicians to share their best stories of when it all went wrong.

Episode 82: Musician Dan Snyder is About to Break over growing up in a small town, creating the band paper lights, making beautiful music while trying to make a living.

I first met Dan when we recorded the episode about his band Paper Lights. Since that time we have become wonderful friends and I wanted him to come back on the show to share some of his personal story.
Love the show? Why not become a producer? For $1 or more a month you can become a part of the team
Check out our Patreon page to find out more

for live show dates visit TaylorHughes.com/live

Episode 81: Drummer Josh “Roach” Durante is About to Break over playing the road, Dealing with social media and trying to raise his daughter right.

Josh “Roach” Durante is an amazing drummer who has played the road for years. His band Sangre is a Heavy, Melodic, Death & Thrash influenced Metal band formed in the city of Pomona, California in the summer of 1999. He also happens to be my neighbor!

In this episode Josh and I talk about:

• Late night shows
• The glamorous life of a Rock Star
• Being scared as a grown up
• The challenge of being a Dad and a touring musician
• The idea of success is ever changing
• Feeling unaccepted traveling in other states
• Josh is old school with technology
• Why playing small towns is the best
• Not wanting to meet your heroes
• Times are rough… what do you do?
• Technicians Vs Musicians
• Playing the road makes you better

Love the show? Why not become a producer? For $1 or more a month you can become a part of the teamCheck out our Patreon page to find out more

for live show dates visit TaylorHughes.com/live

You can hear all episodes and get more info on our website abouttobreakpodcast.com

Episode 80: Taylor Broke - an episode about the episode

This is a very special episode about an episode. 3 weeks ago I had a major anxiety/panic attack that sent me to the ER. In this episode my Friend Eddie Furth joins me to discuss what happened and where we go from here.

Episode 79: Dynasty Typewriter Co Producers Jamie Flam and Vanessa Ragland

This week's episode features a WONDER FULL conversation with Jamie and Vanessa of the glorious Dynasty Typewriter!

Dynasty Typewriter is LA's new venue for highly curated live entertainment and comedy events, located at the Hayworth Theatre in historic Westlake. Dynasty is a place where comedians and other artists can experiment with new immersive show formats, do engaging live podcasts, and also have the opportunity to bring more production and theatricality to their acts. Building this new theater-going experience brings a fresh approach to the classic show format, for artists and audience alike.

Jamie FLAM

Jamie is a writer and producer based in Los Angeles. His goal is to make and do stuff that reminds people of the wonder and enchantment in the world. He most recently served as The Artistic Director/Booker at The Hollywood Improv (2011-2017), named the #1 comedy club in North America in 2016, [due to] “shrewd booking from Jamie Flam.” This is what made him the toast of his grandma's retirement home.
Currently, he is driving to make Dynasty Typewriter LA's best destination for intimate and moving shows and experiences, while continuing to develop content, produce live variety shows, and do script and talent consulting for creative agencies and podcast networks.    

VANESSA RAGLAND Vanessa is a writer improvisor producer actor hyphenate hyphenate based in Los Angeles. She wants to make things and learn to have healthy boundaries, while still "being fun." You can hear her voice in some things, and sometimes even see her in other things. She co-hosted Nerdist Network’s Pop My Culture Podcast and Earwolf’s Totally Mommy. Her goal is to establish a place for artists to thrive and audience members to enjoy great shows… and even greater popcorn.

Currently, she is developing comedy content for television and digital, continuing to book and produce live variety shows, and performing regularly around town.
 
Love the show? Why not become a producer? For $1 or more a month you can become a part of the team Check out our Patreon page to find out more

for live show dates visit TaylorHughes.com/live

You can hear all episodes and get more info on our website abouttobreakpodcast.com

Episode 78: Executive Producer David Doyle is About to Break over Winning Emmys , Performing Comedy Clubs & Rediscovering Magic as an Adult.

David Doyle is a four-time Emmy® Award-winning producer with a depth of experience in a variety of genres having developed and produced original factual and entertainment projects with numerous broadcast and cable networks. In addition he spent years working the road as a Stand-up Comedian before making the switch to TV Production.

In this episode David and I discuss:
* David is the only magician I know who loves sports
* Being Dodger fans as kids
* Having a shop teacher that did magic
* The Magic Castle junior group was amazing for kids like us
* Getting to meet Steve Martin
* Making 60 Grand when he was 17
* Giving up Magic for Stand-Up
* Giving up Stand-up for TV
* Working the Road, Working for Dick Clark, Working for Michael Seligman
* Printing business cards for the job you want to have
… and realizing there is still more to do.

Love the show? Why not become a producer? For $1 or more a month you can become a part of the team Check out our Patreon page to find out more

for live show dates visit TaylorHughes.com/live

You can hear all episodes and get more info on our website abouttobreakpodcast.com

Episode 77: Charles Peachock is About to Break over Juggling on Americas Got Talent , Performing Cruises & Creating Audio Ape.

Charles is a world champion of juggling and has appeared on Americas Got Talent more times than any other comedy juggler. He tours the world entertaining cruise audiences and is the creator or Audio Ape, the premier audio remote for stage performers.

In this episode Charles and I discuss:

• Working on cruises is like living in an after show meet and great
• His parents owned a record store
• Starting with magic before discovering juggling
• When your desperate to perform, you will make it happen
• Prince was a janitor to pay for studio time
• People can’t fathom that you can make a living doing this
• Charles feels lucky to have known early what he wanted to do with his life
• Magicians have a higher ceiling than jugglers
• There are no famous jugglers
• AGT hates jugglers
• People think Vegas is what its all about
• Why being able to control your own show cues is so important
  … and how his company Audio Ape came to be

Love the show? Why not become a producer? For $1 or more a month you can become a part of the team

Check out our Patreon page to find out more

Find out more about Audio Ape and Show Sounds @ abouttobreakpodcast.com/control

Masterclass Sign up - signup.audioaperemote.com/podcast

connect with Charles @ charlespeachock.com

for live show dates visit TaylorHughes.com/live

You can hear all episodes and get more info on our website abouttobreakpodcast.com

Episode 76: Musician Vance Fite is About to Break over playing in other peoples bands, Creating his own Projects and Trying to balance it all.

Episode 75: The New Bad Boys of Magic are About to Break over Being Birthday Party Magicians, Getting kicked out of UCB and being too edgy for TV.

THE NEW BAD BOYS OF MAGIC (Daniel Donohue & Eric Siegel) combine Chicago-style sketch comedy with Hollywood stage trickery. Two perfect foils, they stumble backwards into one impossible feat after another in vaudevillian synchronicity. Their magical variety show DIRTY TRICKS plays to sold-out audiences every month at Three Clubs Cocktail Lounge in Hollywood. Their new full-length show COKE & MIRRORS will debut at the Hollywood Fringe Festival in June.

In this episode the Bad Boys and I talk about:
* Who were the old bad boys of Magic?
* 2 years of them performing together
* They are both Chicago Improvisers
* Giving up magic and then rediscovering it
* Moving to LA to become a Writer
* I almost broke their table
* Doing Magic on your own terms
* Studying Improv made magic better
* The boys describe each others characters
* An informative talk about Scientology
* Why their act is too edgy for TV
* They have their own monthly show at 3 clubs
* How they got kicked out of UCB
* Their new show is called Coke and Mirrors
* Check them out at the fringe festival
… and making it another year without getting a real job

Check out their site at https://www.badboysmagic.com/
Love the show? Why not become a producer? For $1 or more a month you can become a part of the team

Check out our Patreon page to find out more

for live show dates visit TaylorHughes.com/live

You can hear all episodes and get more info on our website abouttobreakpodcast.com

Episode 74 Chris Mitchell is About to Break over Being a Magician, Acting on TV and being tempted by Hot Dog on a Stick!

If you take a healthy dose of comedy, throw in a handful of magic, and blend it, you have the recipe for The Chris Mitchell Show. Chris has entertained audiences in Casinos, Comedy Clubs, Corporate Events, Colleges, and Cruise Ships during his world tour of things that begin with the letter “C.” He currently resides in Los Angeles, where he also appears on television and in films.

In this episode Chris and I talk about:

• Me seeing Chris perform at Wizards City Walk when I was a kid
• Sending a VHS demo tape to the Magic castle
• Bad corporate gigs
• What to do when your paints rip on stage
• Learning from other incredible performers
• The first visit to the Magic Castle
• Cruise guests decide if you get brought back
• Magicians love suitcases
• Reminders to face your fears
• Dealing with drunk audience members
• Being grateful later for awful things that happen on stage
• Live theater is an adventure
• Learning how to Bomb
• Getting Stand up comedy out of his system

… and making it another year without getting a real job

Check out Chris’ website at https://chrismitchellmagic.com

Love the show? Why not become a producer? For $1 or more a month you can become a part of the team. Check out our Patreon page to find out more

for live show dates visit TaylorHughes.com/live

You can hear all episodes and get more info on our website abouttobreakpodcast.com

Episode 73: Production Manager PJ Culbreth is About to Break over Tour Managing Rock Bands, Being forced to play bass & Realizing there is more to life than what he thought.

My buddy PJ Culbreth is one of the most talented and experienced guys I have ever had the pleasure of working with. This conversation has it all! We really open up about a lot in this episode and I am excited to share it.

In this episode PJ and I discuss:

• Growing up playing music at church
• Bass isn’t something you choose its something that happens to you
• Transitioning from playing music to mixing for others
• Living on Cigarettes and hamburgers
• Your talent gets you into bars underage
• When church became a production
• Moving from Analogue to Digital
• Fake it till you make it
• Shows can be logistical nightmares
• Working on National Margherita Day
• It’s hard to not be distracted at other peoples events
• Should I practice guitar or buy another pedal
• You need the opportunity to not be good in order to get good
• Helping clients who have unrealistic expectations
• Are you in business because of price, personalization or premier
• A debrief of our weird church experiences
• Being willing to make tough decisions
• Your never prepared for life
• Getting what you wanted and thinking now what?

… and remembering to be humble

Love the show? Why not become a producer? For $1 or more a month you can become a part of the team

Check out our Patreon page to find out more

for live show dates visit TaylorHughes.com/live

You can hear all episodes and get more info on our website abouttobreakpodcast.com

Episode 72: Adam Wylie is About to Break over being a Child Actor, Playing a Gilmore Guy & Becoming the voice of Peter Pan.

Adam Wylie entered show biz at age 5. He has appeared on everything from Seinfeld to Gilmore Girls and even voiced peter pan for the Disney series Jake and the Neverland Pirates. Adam is also a great magician and I am so happy to share this fun, tangent-filled conversation with you!

In this episode Adam and I discuss:

• A mutual love of Chipotle
• Starting entertainment when he was five years old
• Not understanding kids his own age
• Teachers giving him a hard time
• Seeing magic for the first time
• Having too many hobbies
• Losing all of his props in France
• Why magic caught his attention
• Don’t insult the audience
• So many glorious tangents
• His in laws are in the business
• Not eating at your own wedding
• How voice over projects work
• Talking to himself in a voice over booth
• Becoming the voice of peter pan
• Transition periods in your career
• Being will to work always
  … and staying open to change

Connect with Adam on twitter @thisisadamwylie
and on instagram at @showmonkey05

Love the show? Why not become a producer? For $1 or more a month you can become a part of the team

Check out our Patreon page to find out more

You can hear all episodes and get more info on our website abouttobreakpodcast.com

Episode 71: Morgan Jay is About to Break over Being a Musical Comedian , Performing College Shows & Hosting the Relationship Status Podcast.

Morgan Jay a first generation American performer based out of Los Angeles.  Originally from New Jersey, he started his career in NYC where he attended the Tisch School of the Arts.  With over six years of stand up experience and an extensive background in music Morgan has managed to create a unique performance that touches comedy and music fans alike with his smooth melodies derived from his love for classic RnB and Bossanova. 

He’s performed at the 2017 SF Sketchfest, 2017/2018 Big Fire Festival, 2010 Iowa Comedy Festival, 2010 LA Comedy Festival. He won the 2012 Westside Comedy Showdown.  Morgan is a regularly featured artist for sofarsounds.com and was one of the top booking acts for the 2017 NACA.  Morgan also won 1st Prize for best comedy/novelty song in the International Songwriting Competition which received over 16,000 submissions.

In this episode Morgan and I discuss:

• Auditioning for Montreal
• Going from stand-up to music
• The first year with fans
• Morgan has a Podcast called Relationship Status
• Starting standup in New York
• Never feeling accepted in certain scenes
• Colleges opened up a lot
• Not performing to impress other entertainers
• Being happy not being famous
• Interning for late night made him not want that job
• Bombing in front of friends and family
• His mom was brutally honest after watching his set
• Grading your own performance
• Why music comedy gets a bad wrap
• Using your art to encourage others
• Morgan can’t gain weight and I can lose it
• Working out in Venice is intimidating
• Finding joy in the creation of material
• Traveling alone is boring
  … and if your doing the thing you love, you’ve already made it

Check out Morgans website morganjay.com
instagram @morganjay
Twitter @themorganjay
YouTube @ Morganisethnic

Love the show? Why not become a producer? For $1 or more a month you can become a part of the team
Check out our Patreon page to find out more

You can hear all episodes and get more info on our website abouttobreakpodcast.com

Episode 70: Benjamin Schrader is About to Break over starring in the Book of Mormon, Meeting Ian McKellen & Creating Magic Bar LA.

Benjamin Schrader grew up in Seattle, Washington where he began his acting career at The Village Theatre and Seattle's 5th Avenue Theatre. At 20 he moved to New York City where he went on to star on Broadway in "Avenue Q", the 2009 revival of "Ragtime" and helped develop the Pulitzer Prize winning musical "Next to Normal". In 2007 he began work-shopping Trey Parker and Matt Stone's Broadway mega-hit "The Book of Mormon" and went on to be a member of the original TONY winning Broadway cast. Benjamin received a Grammy certificate for "The Book of Mormon" Grammy Award winning cast album. in 2013 Benjamin toured the country with the TONY Award winning production of "Peter and the Starcatcher" directed by the legendary actor/director Roger Rees.

His other works include the Walt Disney animated feature "Frozen" where he can be heard as Brother Troll, season 2 of HBO's "True Detective", and ABC's "Revenge" among others. In addition to his performing career Benjamin is also a director where his work can often be seen at the world famous Magic Castle in Los Angeles where he consults on professional magic shows.

In this Episode Ben and I discuss:

• Seeing the music man when he was a kid
• All his brothers were into sports and he was into musical theater
• We graduated High School at the same time
• Buying a one was ticket to New York
• How New York felt after 911
• Making Broadway the goal
• Broadway’s Golden Handcuffs
• Being surprised by how small the theaters are
• Celebrities coming to see him perform
• An amazing encounter with Ian Mckellen
• Art over money always feels better
• Copperfield always shows up on a motorcycle
• Ben rediscovered magic 5 years ago
• How I embarrassed myself last night
• Does free will really exist?
  … and why he created a magic bar

Connect with Ben @ BenjaminSchrader.com and be sure to visit magicbarla.com

Huge thank you to all the producers for sponsoring the show.
Love the show? For as little as $1 a month you can BECOME A PRODUCER

Leave us a comment or message at abouttobreakpodcast.com

Music for this episode is provided by our friends at CatBeachMusic.com

Live Show Tickets and info at Taylorhughes.com/live

AUDIO APE Show Control abouttobreakpodcast.com/control

Episode 69: Part 2 Chipper Lowell is About to Break over Writing for David Copperfield, Growing up in the Circus and Performing on TV.

For over 20 years, Chipper has been bringing his odd brand of infectiously amusing mayhem to audiences around the world at performing arts centers, theaters, cruise ships, casino showrooms, and corporate events. His tours have taking him throughout the United States, Canada, England, Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia, and Mexico.

He's appeared on The Tonight Show, The Disney Channel, and all FIVE seasons of the CW's Masters Of Illusion, just to name a few.... He's been honored with "Comedy Magician of the Year" twice, as well as "Specialty Act of the Year", and was also nominated twice for "Stage Magician of the Year" by the AMA/Magic Castle.

In this episode Chipper and I discuss:

• Why he loves the Gilmore Girls
• Movie Reels are flammable
• If W.C. Fields lived today...
• Chipper is fascinated with how we look at time
• Being a kid growing up on the road
• A literal family circus
• Going to normal High School was an adjustment
• His first college gig was assisting Illusionist Mark Kalin
• A monster falls of a stage…
• Does your audience know you better when your show is over?
• More pet peeves
• If you’re original you’re not in competition with anyone
• Why buying routines is a slippery slope
• Don’t worry about the Dentists
• Using TV to work out new material
• Performing the same routine from different points of view
• Writing for David Copperfield
• Working with Gary Shandling
• An education in shoe laces
• Performing in Arenas is a whole new ballgame
• Directing other performers
• Chipper won’t let me compliment him
  … and being in the moment

Connect with Chipper at thechipperexperience.com

Huge thank you to all the producers for sponsoring the show.
Love the show? For as little as $1 a month you can BECOME A PRODUCER

Leave us a comment or message at abouttobreakpodcast.com

Check out CatBeachMusic.com

Live Show Tickets and info at Taylorhughes.com/live

AUDIO APE Show Control abouttobreakpodcast.com/control

Episode 68: Part 1 Chipper Lowell is About to Break over Touring the World, Growing up in the Circus and Performance Pet Peeves.

For over 20 years, Chipper has been bringing his odd brand of infectiously amusing mayhem to audiences around the world at performing arts centers, theaters, cruise ships, casino showrooms, and corporate events. His tours have taking him throughout the United States, Canada, England, Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia, and Mexico. He's appeared on The Tonight Show, The Disney Channel, and all FIVE seasons of the CW's Masters Of Illusion, just to name a few.... He's been honored with "Comedy Magician of the Year" twice, as well as "Specialty Act of the Year", and was also nominated twice for "Stage Magician of the Year" by the AMA/Magic Castle.

In this episode Chipper and I discuss:

• Late night conversations in Houston
• Spirit Airlines up sells everything
• Travel Tips and Tricks
• Having to be not just a performer but and experienced event planner
• Dealing with the dance floor of death
• Being flexible as a performer
• Making your needs known to the venue
• Death is not a failure
• Realizing we are in process
• Ricky Dunn and his Demons
• Realizing your getting old
• Being able to let go of the last show
• Sir Lawrence Olivier dealt with it too
• Careers are a series of ups and downs
• Magic Pet Peeves
• Your show needs to grow with you as you age
• Discovering yourself will lead to an original act
• Stock lines are robbing you from being present
• Finding paper for the declaration of independence
  … and living with no regrets

Connect with Chipper at thechipperexperience.com

Huge thank you to all the producers for sponsoring the show.
Love the show? For as little as $1 a month you can BECOME A PRODUCER

Leave us a comment or message at abouttobreakpodcast.com

Check out CatBeachMusic.com

Live Show Tickets and info at Taylorhughes.com/live

AUDIO APE Show Control abouttobreakpodcast.com/control

Episode 67: Jeff Civillico is About to Break over having his own Vegas Show, Running a non profit & trying to Juggle Everything.

Episode 66: Comedian Andrew Delman is About to Break over Quitting Magic, Learning to Stand Up and Being a commercial Actor in LA

Andrew Delman Is a hilarious comedian and actor from Los Angeles. This is a glorious conversation about trying to break into the industry before it breaks you.

In this episode Andrew and I talk about:

• Andrew used to be a magician
• He grew up in the neighborhood I just moved to
• Getting a false sense of security from early shows going good
• Mega Magic and Deli!!!
• Trying to find originality as a magician
• Improv Comedy changed everything
• Getting voted out of the Groundlings
• Groundlings vs Scientology
• Always trying to impress his father
• Getting an agent by accident
• Nothing is handed to you in this business
• The less you care in auditions the better

... and trying to figure out how it all works

Follow Andrew @localoneway and at andrewdelman.com

 Huge thank you to all the producers for sponsoring the show.
Love the show? For as little as $1 a month you can BECOME A PRODUCER

Leave us a comment or message at abouttobreakpodcast.com

Live Show info at Taylorhughes.com/live

Episode 65: Rock N Roll Hair stylist Shaun Hale is About to Break over Being a Hardcore hairstylist, Playing Bass in our High school Garage Band and going back to school.