Rodger Dean Lovins
Rodger Dean Lovins (born March 30, 1955 in Cincinnati, Ohio) is an American Magician,Inventor and Manufacturer of many magic effects used by modern magicians all over the globe. He holds the title of "Magician of the Year" with the CVMA.
He has opened for David Copperfield as well as many other well known Magicians across the U.S. Rodger is a member of the International Brotherhood Of Magicians, where he holds the title of "Wizard". He also is a member of the Society Of American Magicians, Thoroughbred Magic Guild, Cumberland Valley Magicians Association and The Lake Cumberland Magic Club.
History
When Rodger was a child his father did card tricks to entertain family and friends and his uncle would build and perform small magic effects in his garage.
After much begging and prodding they would teach Rodger how they were done, and how they were made. By age 10 he was doing card tricks and reading books
about magic that he would borrow from the school library. He was hooked! He would build and make his own magic props and perform them for family and friends.
It wasn’t until around 1972 that he bought his first magic trick. He went into a magic shop while on vacation in Tennessee. He was so amazed. He could
not believe his eyes and will never forget the experience. He stayed for hours watching the “in house” magician demo effect after effect.
Finally he made his first magic purchase. The Hot Rod and the Rising Card Deck.
Rodger's parents were from Kentucky. So in 1974 they moved back to the place where they were born and raised. Rodger soon followed to help with the family
building business. That’s where, in 1976 he met Dr. Jerry Burgess. Dr. Burgess was doing a full evening illusion show in Somerset and he ask Rodger to open
the second half of the show. Rodger was shaking all over, a bundle of nerves. but once he got on stage, he loved it! Dr. Burgess and Rodger continued their
partnership putting on magic shows at colleges and fund raising events all over Kentucky, Ohio and Tennessee. Eventually, the house building business began
to consume more and more of his time, but he can still be coaxed up on stage occasionally.
Magic is alive and well in Kentucky. In the late 70's Rodger met two other young magicians who worked at Tombstone Junction, a local tourist attraction near
Cumberland Falls State Park. Their names were Lance Burton and Mac King. Rodger quickly formed friendships with them and for the next two years they were
invited to his home for magic sessions with other magicians in the area. During this same time frame Rodger visited Abbott's Magic in Colon, Michigan where
he met owner Recil Bordner and other magical greats Monk Watson and Neil Foster. It was at that meeting that Abbott’s bought the rights to Rodger’s “Ball Box”
effect, and his career as a magic inventor started. Since then he has developed many effects and has worked with magic greats Michael and Hannah Ammar as well
as others.
While attending the Abbott’s Magic Get Together in Colon from 1977-1981 Rodger became good friends with Neal Foster. This friendship influenced him to take
the Mail Order Chavez Course under Neal. After graduation his stage act was off and running. He is a founding member of the Cumberland Valley Magicians Association
and a member of the International Brotherhood of Magicians, Ring 198, The Lexington Magic Guild.