🎩 The Magic of Memphis
Starring Michael Clayton – The Magician
with Special Guest Magician Kim Edmonds
đź“… Saturday, September 13, 2025
đź•– Showtime 7:00 PM (Doors open 6:00 PM)
📍 Peabody Hotel – Ben Hollander Room
149 Union Ave, Memphis, TN 38103
🎟 Tickets: $35 in Advance | $40 at the Door
Step inside the historic Peabody Hotel and experience an evening of wonder, laughter, and amazement. The Magic of Memphis blends world-class sleight of hand, theatrical storytelling, and illusions inspired by Memphis music and related history.
From close-up miracles performed right before your eyes to theatrical routines with a Southern twist, this show is unlike anything else in the city.
Featuring:
Michael Clayton – A magician with over 40 years of performances across the Mid-South.
Kim Edmonds – Special guest magician bringing her own touch of mystery.
Michael Clayton’s love of Magic started before he even knew what to call it. As a child in rural Tennessee, he was already performing for anyone who would watch—whether demonstrating his “improved” method for tying shoes in kindergarten or entertaining classmates as the class clown (usually followed by quality time with the hallway wall or the principal’s office). Everything changed when a magician visited his elementary school. That single performance ignited a lifelong spark. It was the early 1970s when a mass-market magic magazine appeared on the local grocery store newsstand. Suddenly, Magic wasn’t just mysterious—it was *possible*. Around the same time, actor and amateur magician **Bill Bixby** starred in the television series *The Magician*, and Michael’s interest grew stronger. On visits to Memphis, he’d catch **Dick Williams** on *Magicland*, the long-running local TV show that introduced Magic to generations of children. But the final nail in the (Magic) box was **Doug Henning’s** 1975 *World of Magic* special. That broadcast didn’t just entertain—it gave a young dreamer a vision of what could be. From that moment, Michael dove in headfirst—reading library books, rehearsing constantly, and building a repertoire. By age 13, he had already won his school talent show, and at 17, he appeared on *Magicland*. At 19, he took first place in the local Society of Magicians SMURFF competition for his classic Linking Ring presentation. Now, with over **40 years of professional experience**, Michael Clayton has become a true Mid-South institution. His performances have ranged from corporate banquets to school fundraisers, grand theaters to intimate private events. Along the way, he’s shared the stage with icons like: * **Mallory Lewis** and **Lamb Chop**, helping raise funds for literacy * The **Memphis Grizzlies Girls** at the **FedEx Forum** * Legendary wrestler **Jerry “The King” Lawler**, who assisted him during a special tribute show to Michael’s mentor, **Dick Williams** Michael was also proud to be selected as the magical spokesperson for the **Ready Shelby campaign**, using magical storytelling to teach emergency preparedness. His work spans all formats: strolling close-up Magic, stage manipulations, comedic theatrical routines, and grand illusions with full production support. While many modern magicians specialize in just one lane, **Michael Clayton is a passionate student of all types of Magic**—proving that the old saying “Jack of all trades, master of none” doesn’t apply when you bring a lifetime of dedication to the art.
“Magic isn’t just what I do—it’s who I am. From a small-town grocery rack to the big stage, I’m living the dream I first saw on TV as a kid. And I get to share that dream with every audience I meet.”Â
✨ Meet Kim Edmonds: The Sleight-of-Hand Expert Who Turns Every Event into Magic. For over 40 years, Kim Edmonds has been captivating audiences of all ages with his unforgettable brand of close-up magic, comedy, and charisma. From corporate boardrooms to libraries, trade shows to holiday banquets, Kim’s smooth sleight-of-hand and quick wit have delighted crowds from 3 to 3,000 across Tennessee and beyond. Based in West Tennessee, Kim began his magical journey at the age of four and honed his skills with relentless dedication—sometimes practicing up to 16 hours a day. Today, he’s a seasoned professional whose spellbinding performances have earned him praise from major corporations like Procter & Gamble, Charter, Budweiser, and Owens Corning, as well as countless schools, libraries, and civic groups. Whether he’s making a signed $20 bill appear inside a lemon, turning torn newspaper back to pristine form, or linking borrowed rings in midair, Kim delivers far more than tricks—he creates experiences. Audiences don’t just watch his show; they become part of it. Offstage, Kim is humble and thoughtful, but give him a deck of cards and an audience, and he becomes something magical. His signature motto says it all:Â
“Magic isn’t just what I do—it’s who I am.”Â
