| How It All Began |
WHO ARE KOHL & CO. (and where on earth did they come from)
Just who are Kohl and Company and how did they get started you might ask. Well, it all started
one day…………..…………………..and just like that - some 35 years later, we are still hoping to hit
the big time.
Even though I started with magic as a hobby as a little kid, the idea of a goofy act like we have
today started about 1974. I had tried doing an act by myself as an oriental (believe it or not… a 6’
2” Chinese comedy magician). Well, that lasted for about 3 shows and I decided I had better find
another venue and fast. I found some great books on the subject of comedy magic and put
together an act about an inept magician and his assistants. There were a few acts out there
doing this type of an act… The Great Tomsoni & Company, Tom Palmer, The Senile Sorcerer,
and Carl Ballantine were my true heroes in that field and I wanted to try something much like
they so wonderfully put together.
At first, it was just my wife Kathy and myself, and then it grew into the two of us plus my 2
nieces. Our first big magic convention was in Washington D.C. in 1977 and much to our
amazement went really well. It was not until several conventions later that my brother Al joined
the act and it was full steam ahead from that time on.
For about 10 years all we did were magic conventions throughout the country. The Kohl &
Company act at that time was a pure comedy act that looked like a normal act gone horrifyingly
wrong. Everything bad that we could think of happening to regular magicians was put into the
act. Getting tangled up in mike cords, knocking over tables, setting a hat on fire, losing a fake
rabbit in my pants (well, I never really saw anyone actually do that one yet) were all part of a
pretty well thought out routine. It truly was a big hit at the conventions.
In 1987 we decided to take part in a magic competition amongst 18 comedy magic acts from
around the world. It took place at the Frontier Hotel in Las Vegas and was presented by Joe
Stevens and hosted by Siegfried & Roy. Well, long story short, we were fortunate enough to win
the 1st place “Golden Lion” award. It was from that competition that we went on to appear on
the Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour, our 1st of three Jerry Lewis Telethons in Vegas, and
many shows around the world.
SOME MEMORABLE MOMENTS:
Being invited to appear in Holland at FISM (the Olympics of Magic) as special
guests. Performing in a World Class Magic Show at the Princess Grace Theatre
in Monte Carlo before Prince Rainier. And being the only American novelty act to
appear on Germany’s 1st New Years Eve TV Spectacular Celebrating the
Unification.
Through the years, my nieces (Debbie & Kathy), my brothers wife Donna, her sister Barbara, my
son Scott and currently my daughter Karen have been in the act. The names of my terrific
assistants Al & Karen are Farky Hollis and Farkameana. The name Farky Hollis came from a
wonderful card trick called Farky Hollis Predicts published by George Schindler and Frank
Garcia. Al became a true ‘Farky’ and Karen (not to be outdone) decided to name herself
‘Farkameana’… Farky’s twin sister. Speaking of George Schindler, anyone who has seen our
act knows that our signature piece is the Sawing A Woman In Half illusion. It was George that
first gave me the idea of a sawing routine gone haywire. While giving credit where credit is due,
there is no way we would have gotten as far as we have without the help of Denny Haney
(Denny & Lee) who not only helped with many ideas involving our act, but actually managed us
for a few years. . Buck Clayton a wonderful magician in his own right spent countless hours
going over ideas with us. Buck also did our voiceovers for several of our pieces of business.
There were many that helped us over the years, but one gentlemen that is gone now was not
only a good friend, but booked us on so many clown conventions I finally lost count . Lou
Walston was a wonderful clown, and ran a convention that was just outstanding. For 20 years
this convention brought in clowns from all over the country and it was our privilege to work
about 15 of those shows. Nick Gatto, who’s son Anthony is without a doubt ‘the world’s
greatest juggler’, became one of my best friends while he was developing his world famous
acrobatic act.. He was there during my formative years & helped immensely with so many ideas
involving the world of show business.
I could not leave out the before mentioned ‘Senile Sorcerer’ - Earl Canapp. He was not only a
very good friend, but a performer I admired greatly. Earl is the one that got me started into
comedy magic. He asked me to perform at one of the local IBM banquets. I knew I could not
perform the tricks that were in my little show because everyone that would be attending this
banquet knew and did those same tricks and probably much better than me. I decided to try
something totally different – and so an act where everything goes wrong was born. Thank you
my friend… I owe you so much.
Without people like those previously mentioned, no act could possible achieve any
measure of success. We had some of the best helping us.
Lastly, the so-called assistants… the Company in Kohl & Company are absolutely the best.
Make no mistake, this act could not work without either of them. My daughter Karen has been
carrying out the roll as Farkameana for over 15 years now and is the mastermind behind the
scenes keeping Al and I straight. She is always there when it counts and never misses a beat.
Her fancy dance steps & foot work is a sight to behold. I may have thought up most of the
ideas and started the act, but Al is the one who made it all as funny as we hope it is today. His
character is truly another sight to behold while giving 110% in every show. His ‘chair routine’
alone is a comedy classic.
While I am now retired from a full time job after 33 years at Northrop Grumman, Al is still a school
teacher, but ALWAYS finds a way to get to our shows whether here in the states or out of the
country. FARKY & FARKAMEANA ROCK!! The fact that we were able to perform in
foreign countries while still holding down full time jobs and raising families is still the biggest
mystery to me. We would fly into Japan or Italy… run right to the studio, rehearse, do the show
and fly back home so we could get back to our jobs without missing more than 1 or 2 work
days. It’s a miracle we lasted as long as we have.
It has been more than a great ride… not only did we meet and perform with the
likes of Mickey Rooney, Jeff Foxworthy, The Kingston Trio, Tom Jones, Randy
Travis, Al Martino and Rick Little…. We traveled the world at the same time.
Who could possibly ask for more.
Like so many acts, we have had our share of wonderful stories. We have had our equipment
lost, and stuck in conveyor belts at airports. A dove that I was trying to sneak on board escaped
in an airport restroom, and a blank gun that I forgot to unload was shot off at the front desk by
an attendant who found it in our check on luggage. We’ve emptied out a hotel, because we
used a little too much smoke powder in a small flash pot setting off the fire alarm. One show,
when I pulled off the tube for the ‘Botania” trick, I forgot how close the hotel chandelier was and
tore right through it, completely destroying the whole thing. The incredible thing was that the
following night, Denny & Lee performed in the same room and destroyed the other chandelier
while using the sword suspension.
Our most harrowing experience came when we were about to do our first Jerry
Lewis Telethon in Las Vegas. We were going to make a big entrance using the
flaming torch to cane routine to really get things started before going into our
comedy stuff. Al & I were together on stage left hidden in the curtained wing
area. I had the torch in one hand and flash paper in the other. Al had the
lighter fluid and lighter ready for the big entrance. I kept telling Al to add
more fluid, because I was afraid that it would evaporate too soon. Little did I
know that in the darkness of that area, th e fluid was running down the entire
length of the torch. When we thought Jerry was about to introduce us, we lit
that sucker up…. unfortunately, he was actually going to commercial. We were
now back in the wings with a flaming torch from top to bottom. I made a grab
for the torch with my other hand and the flash paper lit up… now we had a torch
on fire, no flash paper and the torch getting so hot that the cotton in the end
started falling to the floor. Al and I were desperately stomping the little
campfires we had brewing on the floor of Caesars Palace stage. Somehow we did
recover… made some kind of an entrance and ended up getting a standing ovation
on our first national TV show. Ahh show business, ain’t it great!
IN CLOSING…. A REVIEW FROM A FEW YEARS BACK:
“………...All good things must come to an end, and so to
leave everyone with a smile on his face we present -
KOHL & COMPANY….The World’s Worst Magicians!
If you like your comedy painted with broad strokes
If you can imagine everything terrible that could happen
to a magic act….... then don’t miss this comedy classic.
The suave & sophisticated Mr. Kohl bravely meets each
challenge that confronts him…...& fails miserably thanks
in no small part to his highly-trained precision staff of
assistants – Farky Hollis & his twin sister Farkameana.
You may never have to laugh again after witnessing…….…
KOHL & COMPANY.”
Review from Colon, Michigan
“The Magic Capital of the World”
Just who are Kohl and Company and how did they get started you might ask. Well, it all started
one day…………..…………………..and just like that - some 35 years later, we are still hoping to hit
the big time.
Even though I started with magic as a hobby as a little kid, the idea of a goofy act like we have
today started about 1974. I had tried doing an act by myself as an oriental (believe it or not… a 6’
2” Chinese comedy magician). Well, that lasted for about 3 shows and I decided I had better find
another venue and fast. I found some great books on the subject of comedy magic and put
together an act about an inept magician and his assistants. There were a few acts out there
doing this type of an act… The Great Tomsoni & Company, Tom Palmer, The Senile Sorcerer,
and Carl Ballantine were my true heroes in that field and I wanted to try something much like
they so wonderfully put together.
At first, it was just my wife Kathy and myself, and then it grew into the two of us plus my 2
nieces. Our first big magic convention was in Washington D.C. in 1977 and much to our
amazement went really well. It was not until several conventions later that my brother Al joined
the act and it was full steam ahead from that time on.
For about 10 years all we did were magic conventions throughout the country. The Kohl &
Company act at that time was a pure comedy act that looked like a normal act gone horrifyingly
wrong. Everything bad that we could think of happening to regular magicians was put into the
act. Getting tangled up in mike cords, knocking over tables, setting a hat on fire, losing a fake
rabbit in my pants (well, I never really saw anyone actually do that one yet) were all part of a
pretty well thought out routine. It truly was a big hit at the conventions.
In 1987 we decided to take part in a magic competition amongst 18 comedy magic acts from
around the world. It took place at the Frontier Hotel in Las Vegas and was presented by Joe
Stevens and hosted by Siegfried & Roy. Well, long story short, we were fortunate enough to win
the 1st place “Golden Lion” award. It was from that competition that we went on to appear on
the Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour, our 1st of three Jerry Lewis Telethons in Vegas, and
many shows around the world.
SOME MEMORABLE MOMENTS:
Being invited to appear in Holland at FISM (the Olympics of Magic) as special
guests. Performing in a World Class Magic Show at the Princess Grace Theatre
in Monte Carlo before Prince Rainier. And being the only American novelty act to
appear on Germany’s 1st New Years Eve TV Spectacular Celebrating the
Unification.
Through the years, my nieces (Debbie & Kathy), my brothers wife Donna, her sister Barbara, my
son Scott and currently my daughter Karen have been in the act. The names of my terrific
assistants Al & Karen are Farky Hollis and Farkameana. The name Farky Hollis came from a
wonderful card trick called Farky Hollis Predicts published by George Schindler and Frank
Garcia. Al became a true ‘Farky’ and Karen (not to be outdone) decided to name herself
‘Farkameana’… Farky’s twin sister. Speaking of George Schindler, anyone who has seen our
act knows that our signature piece is the Sawing A Woman In Half illusion. It was George that
first gave me the idea of a sawing routine gone haywire. While giving credit where credit is due,
there is no way we would have gotten as far as we have without the help of Denny Haney
(Denny & Lee) who not only helped with many ideas involving our act, but actually managed us
for a few years. . Buck Clayton a wonderful magician in his own right spent countless hours
going over ideas with us. Buck also did our voiceovers for several of our pieces of business.
There were many that helped us over the years, but one gentlemen that is gone now was not
only a good friend, but booked us on so many clown conventions I finally lost count . Lou
Walston was a wonderful clown, and ran a convention that was just outstanding. For 20 years
this convention brought in clowns from all over the country and it was our privilege to work
about 15 of those shows. Nick Gatto, who’s son Anthony is without a doubt ‘the world’s
greatest juggler’, became one of my best friends while he was developing his world famous
acrobatic act.. He was there during my formative years & helped immensely with so many ideas
involving the world of show business.
I could not leave out the before mentioned ‘Senile Sorcerer’ - Earl Canapp. He was not only a
very good friend, but a performer I admired greatly. Earl is the one that got me started into
comedy magic. He asked me to perform at one of the local IBM banquets. I knew I could not
perform the tricks that were in my little show because everyone that would be attending this
banquet knew and did those same tricks and probably much better than me. I decided to try
something totally different – and so an act where everything goes wrong was born. Thank you
my friend… I owe you so much.
Without people like those previously mentioned, no act could possible achieve any
measure of success. We had some of the best helping us.
Lastly, the so-called assistants… the Company in Kohl & Company are absolutely the best.
Make no mistake, this act could not work without either of them. My daughter Karen has been
carrying out the roll as Farkameana for over 15 years now and is the mastermind behind the
scenes keeping Al and I straight. She is always there when it counts and never misses a beat.
Her fancy dance steps & foot work is a sight to behold. I may have thought up most of the
ideas and started the act, but Al is the one who made it all as funny as we hope it is today. His
character is truly another sight to behold while giving 110% in every show. His ‘chair routine’
alone is a comedy classic.
While I am now retired from a full time job after 33 years at Northrop Grumman, Al is still a school
teacher, but ALWAYS finds a way to get to our shows whether here in the states or out of the
country. FARKY & FARKAMEANA ROCK!! The fact that we were able to perform in
foreign countries while still holding down full time jobs and raising families is still the biggest
mystery to me. We would fly into Japan or Italy… run right to the studio, rehearse, do the show
and fly back home so we could get back to our jobs without missing more than 1 or 2 work
days. It’s a miracle we lasted as long as we have.
It has been more than a great ride… not only did we meet and perform with the
likes of Mickey Rooney, Jeff Foxworthy, The Kingston Trio, Tom Jones, Randy
Travis, Al Martino and Rick Little…. We traveled the world at the same time.
Who could possibly ask for more.
Like so many acts, we have had our share of wonderful stories. We have had our equipment
lost, and stuck in conveyor belts at airports. A dove that I was trying to sneak on board escaped
in an airport restroom, and a blank gun that I forgot to unload was shot off at the front desk by
an attendant who found it in our check on luggage. We’ve emptied out a hotel, because we
used a little too much smoke powder in a small flash pot setting off the fire alarm. One show,
when I pulled off the tube for the ‘Botania” trick, I forgot how close the hotel chandelier was and
tore right through it, completely destroying the whole thing. The incredible thing was that the
following night, Denny & Lee performed in the same room and destroyed the other chandelier
while using the sword suspension.
Our most harrowing experience came when we were about to do our first Jerry
Lewis Telethon in Las Vegas. We were going to make a big entrance using the
flaming torch to cane routine to really get things started before going into our
comedy stuff. Al & I were together on stage left hidden in the curtained wing
area. I had the torch in one hand and flash paper in the other. Al had the
lighter fluid and lighter ready for the big entrance. I kept telling Al to add
more fluid, because I was afraid that it would evaporate too soon. Little did I
know that in the darkness of that area, th e fluid was running down the entire
length of the torch. When we thought Jerry was about to introduce us, we lit
that sucker up…. unfortunately, he was actually going to commercial. We were
now back in the wings with a flaming torch from top to bottom. I made a grab
for the torch with my other hand and the flash paper lit up… now we had a torch
on fire, no flash paper and the torch getting so hot that the cotton in the end
started falling to the floor. Al and I were desperately stomping the little
campfires we had brewing on the floor of Caesars Palace stage. Somehow we did
recover… made some kind of an entrance and ended up getting a standing ovation
on our first national TV show. Ahh show business, ain’t it great!
IN CLOSING…. A REVIEW FROM A FEW YEARS BACK:
“………...All good things must come to an end, and so to
leave everyone with a smile on his face we present -
KOHL & COMPANY….The World’s Worst Magicians!
If you like your comedy painted with broad strokes
If you can imagine everything terrible that could happen
to a magic act….... then don’t miss this comedy classic.
The suave & sophisticated Mr. Kohl bravely meets each
challenge that confronts him…...& fails miserably thanks
in no small part to his highly-trained precision staff of
assistants – Farky Hollis & his twin sister Farkameana.
You may never have to laugh again after witnessing…….…
KOHL & COMPANY.”
Review from Colon, Michigan
“The Magic Capital of the World”
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© 2005-2011 Kohl & Co.