The Abbott’s Get-Together has a very long and storied history. Arguably one of the most famous aspects of the Get-Together is the stage contest. Over the decades, hundreds of magicians have performed on the stage in the Colon gymnasium, the same stage where legends of magic like Blackstone (Sr. and Jr.) performed at Abbott’s evening shows.

I understand the folks who argue about how difficult it is to fit performance art into a contest. After all, there’s not a lot of basis for comparing two different acts. Sure, a person’s technical missteps, like flashing, can cost them points, but comparing a beautiful dove act to a beautiful card manipulation act is quite literally like comparing apples and oranges.

The first contest I entered was at Abbott’s Close-Up Convention in 2005. Not only was it my first contest, but also it was my first trip ever to the fabled village of Colon. A friend I had made at Michigan Magic Day urged me to give the One-Trick Contest a try. I was still deciding whether or not to compete on the drive there! Eventually, I decided to give it a shot. After all, I really had nothing to lose.

I was amazed to find that I had won first place. I was on such a high! Imagine me, having been in magic all of two years (at this point), being voted first by the audience. I was thrilled!

But the real story I wanted to share was about the second contest I competed in. Michigan Magic Day 2005 was held in Flint, organized by Chris Reesman of Encore Magic and the Flint IBM ring. Because they needed some people to fill out the contest, Chris Harper of the organizing committee asked me to compete, based on my performance at Abbott’s earlier that year. Again, I was hesitant, but came to the same conclusion: “I have nothing to lose. Let’s give it a shot!”

The contest was judged by the convention celebrities, and celebrities they were! Whit Haydn, Dirk Losander, Johnny Thompson, and Billy McComb were sitting there, watching me do my version of Professor’s Nightmare. In front of these stars of magic, I knew exactly who was sitting in front of me…except for Billy. I had no idea who this elderly British gentleman was!

The contest winner was announced, and it wasn’t me. Sure, I was disappointed, but I was grown-up about it. As I was packing up, Billy approached me. He said to me “Don’t worry. It’s not your fault. It’s the judges!” I laughed, and he proceeded to complement me on my performance, and praised the fact that I chose to wear a suit, unlike the other competitors, who dressed in jeans. He particularly complemented the shine on my shoes, which I found odd the he noticed (later to read in his books how important it is to have your shoes look good).

Billy then proceeded to sit me down, and gave me a 30-minute personal lesson. He described palming smoke (using a TT), his presentation for a $2 bill trick, and an effect using Zodiac cards. I may not have known whom I was talking to, but I knew I was getting a valuable lesson. I wanted to go get my notebook, which was in my bag on the opposite side of the room. I couldn’t pause the conversation to go fetch it!

After the building staff ushered us out, I thanked the gentleman for his time, and scurried away to scribble down what we had talked about before it faded from my memory.

After I got home from that convention, I Googled the name “Billy McComb” to try to find out who this man was. I nearly fell off my chair when I realized that I was in the presence of a living legend! The generosity he showed by encouraging me and spending that one-on-one time with me is something that I’ve done my best to pass along.

Since then, I’ve unabashedly become a fan of Billy’s. I staked out eBay, and am proud to own just about all of Billy’s published works, including “The First Book of William” and “25 Years Wiser.”

When Billy passed away, the Magic Castle hosted a memorial service, which was recorded and posted online. So many magic stars came to pay tribute, including Whit, Johnny Thompson, John Carney, and the Amazing Johnathan. John Carney described Billy’s gift of gab as Billy only having “one conversation his entire life, with different people drifting in and out of it.” I felt honored that I was able to drift into it.

I owe a lot to Billy McComb. He forever changed the way I approached my magic – all because of an all-too-brief meeting, spurred by my decision to step in front of my magic brethren and share my little take on things.

I encourage all of you to participate in contests, whether or not you agree with contests in an art form. In magic, it can lead to all sorts of contacts being made, networking among magicians from all over the world.

And as I can attest, even if you don’t come in first place, sometimes you can still earn a prize.