When David Garrard’s dad showed him his first magic trick as a child, he couldn’t have imagined the impact it would have on David’s life. For more than 50 years, David has worked as a professional magician, hoping to ignite that spark of joy that has lived within him since his childhood.
“I never dreamed that magic would be such a big part of my life,” David says. “I want people to briefly forget whatever life event might be bringing them down. My hope is for them to laugh, have fun, and leave reality beyond for one hour.”
David’s goal of bringing peace and inspiration to others has deep roots.
After David’s dad quickly ran through his personal repertoire, he introduced David to a friend who took him to the Georgia Magic Club. “I met a 14-year old kid there named Doug who showed me some tricks that blew my mind,” David says. “I was fully hooked at that point. Even later, when I understood how he did it, I still remembered how it made me feel.”
Before becoming a full-time magician, David worked as a minister of children (and continues to do so part-time at St. Matthews Baptist Church in Louisville). His faith is an integral part of who he is, but he makes clear that he is not a “gospel” magician. “I am a Christian. I am an entertainer. I do seek opportunities to connect with people, but my shows are not faith-based, unless I’m specifically hired for that purpose,” he says.
David’s kindness and regard for others is immediately apparent upon meeting him. That’s a legacy that lasts beyond the magic show — and is likely why his career has been so long and rewarding.
David and his current assistant of 11 years, Stephanie Bell, have performed for large organizations such as Toyota, Crusade for Children, the Epilepsy Foundation, and Texas Roadhouse. They also enchant audiences in churches, schools, and local nonprofits.
After several years of working with the annual autumn event Pumpkins at Kentucky Kingdom, David was thrilled to get an extra-special invitation for the upcoming holiday season. “This is breaking news!” he says. “We’ve just been invited to perform for the 2024 Kentucky Kingdom’s Christmas. It reminds me of seeing the Rockettes in Nashville years ago; their amazing performance was followed by a Christmas pageant. That’s what this will be–our magic show followed by the Christmas story. Thousands of people are likely to come. It’s my very own Rockette dream.”
David knows that there are magicians the world over who are talented and can put on a terrific show, but the influence any entertainer has amounts to much more than that. David recalls a favorite episode of the show M.A.S.H. where chaplain Father Mulcahy was frustrated that the soldiers were not listening to him. The character Hawkeye, played by Alan Alda, tells Father Mulcahy that he isn’t connecting with the other soldiers because he isn’t on the front lines with them. Once Mulcahy does that, his relationship with the soldiers improves exponentially. He understands more about where they are coming from, and they have seen that he’s willing to literally be in the trenches with them.
The episode spoke to David so much that he made a commitment to be in the “trenches” in his own life — to be present for others and be a man of service and action. “If you take time to talk to people and learn what’s going on in their lives, it means so much,” he says. “I relish the chance to meet people and show them that I respect them as fellow human beings. People just need to know someone cares for them. Many people have no friends and are so lonely. I want to change that one person at a time.”
David wrote a letter of appreciation to Alan Alda about the episode that shaped his approach to life. He received a personalized letter and autographed photo in return.
“I may only be in the room because I’m a magician and can entertain a crowd, but I can share a smile, a story, and words of encouragement that might make a difference to someone who needs it,” he says.
Respect. Kindness. Positive human regard. There’s no better magic.
By Megan S. Willman | Photo by Kayla Gaeddert
P.S. You may also be interested in Let Your Talents Bloom
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