Some of the People I Admired at the 2017 Vent ConVENTion

Mary Ann and I go back a long ways. She has been one of the premier puppet makers for ventriloquists and puppeteers for, I think, three decades. I remember taking a puppet-making class in NJ given by Verna Finly. Mary Ann took the class along with Taylor Mason, Al Getler, Jeff Dunham, and others. That was an historical event for ventriloquism, because Mary Ann launched her business soon afterwards.

Kenny Byrd, has remarkable talent. I saw his act on the Saturday night show. He is genius at creating two personalities on stage. It's double-acting, how he reacts to his pal in a most believable way! Loved that!

Here is the America's Got Talent contestant, ventriloquist and singer, Darci Lynne, with her coach, Gary Owen. (He was also one of my coaches back when I was ramping up my act.) What talent she has! Especially projecting her voice while singing ventriloquially. It's absolutely astonishing! Wishing her all the best as she goes forward.

Ikuko and Atsuko, two lovely vent friends from Tokyo, surprised me – I didn't expect to see them at the conVENTion – but thoroughly enjoyed spending a quiet lunch with them at Joan's, a nearby Japanese restaurant.

Sammy King, a well-known Vegas ventriloquist, who I was privileged to share a stage with in Tokyo. What an honor! I've seen his act on video, very smooth, very polished.

Dan Horn is totally entertaining. Brilliant! He uses action, emotions, rod arms, (or not) to bring puppets to life and he adds a big wow factor to his performances. He has privately coached many vents, including me. A valuable teacher, performer and artist, he is one of the all-time best vents I've seen.

Margaret Davis, was one main reason I attended this year's conVENTion. Her puppet figure's played well on stage, and I loved how she laughed at her character, Pastor Crankster – I think that was his name – Also, she did NOT have her characters flirt with someone in the audience – a tiresome bit, older than dirt.

Kudos to you, Margaret!