“Make someone laugh today; even if it’s only you.”
A native of Minnesota, Tim's overnight success has been eighteen years in the making. Perfecting the sleight of hand requires dedication, determination, drive, and took Tim years to accomplish. "My first memory of magic was at Disneyland," Tim recalls. "I was only 4 or 5 years old, yet I was so mesmerized. I watched a magician perform a disappearing sponge ball trick a common, simple trick. I was so fascinated I made my parents buy it for me. I practiced all during the long drive home to Minnesota. At my age, it was very difficult to do, but by the end of the trip, I was able to make the ball vanish. I still do it in my act today."
"Laughter is America's most important export."
-Walt Disney
His success is not without sacrifice. While his peers enjoyed the normal teenage years, Tim's focus was on his craft. At age 16 he began acting at a local theme park where he quickly learned that his comedic wit, magical prowess and natural timing could parlay into a career in entertainment. Although I practiced constantly -- even performing shows for family and friends .I look back at that time and still feel incredibly humbled and grateful...here I was; just a kid being given the chance to perform what I loved to do and receiving all the accolades that go with iteven though I worked hard, I still feel incredibly lucky After acquiring an agent, he soon became one of the Midwest's busiest performers working the college, fairs and corporate circuit. Tim's shows exceeded 200 per year and provided limitless exposure to every imaginable type of audience; which gave him the additional ability to handle any crowd.
"Tim Gabrielson has an amazing ability to connect with any audience."
-Mac King, Harrah's Casino, Las Vegas, NV
"At the theme park, I did three shows a day, six days a week. Every situation that arose, be it comments from the crowd or hecklers, I was ready. It forced me to improvise, to respond quickly and creatively with words as well as facial expressions." His increasing popularity took him from a best kept secret among the college venue to a highly sought after performer. It didn't take long to gain the attention of agents and producers alike; which landed him fill-in spots for Vegas headliners like Ron Lucas and Mac King before acquiring his own room on the Strip.
Tim's keep it funny philosophy is obvious throughout his laugh-a-minute- show. He prides himself in providing a clean performance in which he takes it to the line, but never crosses. His wide appeal makes his show enjoyable for all types of audiences.
His business is magic, but for this consummate professional it's much more than the tricks. "Magicians are always talking about the technicality of magic. You have to be good, but the magic by itself is meaningless. Do you entertain the crowd? Can you grab an audience in the first few minutes and hold their attention? You can be a fabulous magician, but if you can't entertain the crowd, people aren't going to come back. I don't want to be just a good magician. I want to be a great entertainer."
Tim's Disneyland introduction to magic makes his adoption of Walt Disney's philosophy seem predestined, Do something so well that people will pay to see you do it again, and when they come back, they'll bring their friends. Tim's viewpoint is just that; he does what he loves to the best of his ability and has fun in the process. It shows. Whether visiting Vegas or lucky enough to catch a corporate performance, make Tim's the must see show this year. And, the next time, you'll bring your friends.
Heck, Bring your friends this time.
