Today we’d like to introduce you to Rick Seedman.
Hi Rick, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Hello Savannah Voyage! I started practicing with playing cards after seeing a video of the legendary Richard Turner, who is considered the best card mechanic in the world.
A card mechanic is another name for a cardshark, however, the skill set is not used for cheating purposes, but for performance and to actually show people what to look out for to catch cheaters.
Ever since that day seeing him perform, I started practicing and haven’t missed a day of practice yet. The practice has paid off, as these 52 playing cards have opened many doors for me. I met Adam Cheyer, founder of Siri, while in NYC sitting at a table practicing cards. It’s come full circle, and because of him, I was able to meet my original inspiration, Richard Turner.
He set up a huge surprise on the Savannah Riverboat for me to be introduced to him, see a private VIP performance, and learn from him in person. Since then, Richard and I have become great friends, have almost everything in common, and he has taken me on as his student in cards.
I have a show called The Wild West Card Show, where I not only entertain, but also educate the audience on both gambling sleights and history. I am currently on a huge road trip across the United States. Doing 28 states within a two-month time frame. I performed in NYC, got gigs in Deadwood, South Dakota, headed to Vegas to meet Jason England, performed at the Magic Patio in San Fransisco, California, hung out and learned from Richard in California and will see him again in Texas.
I’m also heading to Tombstone, Arizona to collaborate with the Arizona Ghostriders on Wild West history. And finally one last gig in Baton Rouge, Louisiana before heading back to Georgia for Thanksgiving!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It’s been pretty smooth learning and practicing since I love cards so much and love working hard at something, but I don’t have a public speaking or performance background for something like this, so it’s a bit nerve-wracking.
Less than when I first started, my hands were shaking so much when I first started performing for people!
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
I demonstrate the moves used by the card sharks of the Wild West. The audience will walk away with some American history, things to look out for at the card table, and an appreciation for the difficulty level of this skill set.
I’m a student of the living legend Richard Turner, who is known as the most skilled person in the world in gambling sleight of hand. His teacher Dai Vernon was considered the most important person in cards and revolutionized the art form into the 20th century, Richard did the same for card mechanics bringing it into the 21st century. And now I have my work cut out for me!
I do both card lessons and performances. So if you’d like to learn how to shuffle and cut like a Vegas croupier or just want to watch, I got you covered! My website is wildwestcardshow.com.
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
Grew up in South Florida. Growing up, I was very energetic. Played every sport and every martial art. I was always outside and always challenging myself to do difficult feats.
Never liked school, and I knew I didn’t want to go to college, so while still in high school I started teaching martial arts at summer camps, then eventually in martial arts schools, then started a personal training business.
Taught calisthenics workshops in almost every country in Northern Europe, competed throughout Eastern Europe and led retreats in Costa Rica.
So yes, a very active kid.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: wildwestcardshow.com
- Instagram: @slikric83
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCa-6QNFvti-ioiKvZK_oo7g
