The number one question I get asked as an entertainer is “How long have you been doing this?”. For a while, I stopped answering that question with a number, as it was beginning to make me feel old. So, instead, my stock answer became “It is something I have always done. I have never had another job”. That answer is totally true, I have never had another job outside of the world of entertainment.
If you count from the first show I did for an audience (who were not my parents), I have been performing for 30 years. I have been performing professionally (for people who actually PAID me to perform) since age 16, which means that 2017 marks my 25th year as a professional entertainer. Longevity in show business is rare, so I am learning to take pride in that number…although it does not make me feel any less old when I say it out loud.
Looking through old publicity and promotional photos, tells a great visual story of the evolution of my career. I found some of my favorite early photos to share with you. So, please stop adding 25 and 16 together, and enjoy them.
(1987) Age 11. My first “professional” photo, taken by my dad.
(1989) – Age 13. This was part of my “serious magic” phase. It took about 3 hours to set-up this shot – in days before Photoshop. (photo credit: Jared Silver – Chicago, IL)
(1994) Age 18. One of my all-time favorite pics, with a special appearance by my brother, Andy Linn (Age 7). (Photo credit: Lindmeyer Studios – Rochester, MI)
1998 (Age 20) I am so glad that I finally ditched the tux! (photo credit: Rick Smith – Detroit, MI)