'Magical' fund-raiser scheduled Saturday

Justin Chandler will perform Saturday at the Professional Development Center. [Click to enlarge]

He was 5 and his dad was sharing a bag of tricks he had learned as a youngster.

Then, Chandler began seeing magicians like David Copperfield on television and he realized, "They're making a living and having fun." Even cooler.

And with that realization, Chandler saw a career for himself.

Currently, the illusionist is on a promotional tour for Pepsi, Kroger and Dr Pepper. On Saturday, he'll be in Dyersburg performing a fund-raising show for the Dyersburg High School Band Boosters.

The 90-minute show will take place at 7 p.m. at the Yates Auditorium at the Professional Development Center, 305 College St. Tickets are $7 and available from band students or at the door.

While Chandler looked up to the work of Copperfield and Lance Burton, he knew of no illusionists he could learn from personally. "It allowed me to develop my own style and tricks, to keep it original," Chandler said. "The best way to describe (the show) is big illusions with assistants. It's like Copperfield-ish but with a twist -- it's more entertaining, I make the audience part of the performance."

His desire to be on stage grew when he was a young teenager working at the concession stand of a large theater in Pigeon Forge, and he had the opportunity to get on stage in front of sold-out crowds as a stagehand.

"After that summer, I started buying magic and performing magic every chance I could," he said. He started in a clown suit but "I soon realized people were after the magic, not the clown."

He dropped the clown outfit and performed his first paid magic show at 16. Shortly after, he became the understudy in Pigeon Forge's biggest illusion show. "There, I learned a lot from a seasoned illusionist," he said.

Chandler went on to receive a degree in marketing but he's happier traveling the region bringing magic, juggling, fire eating and comedy. "I'm beginning to be recognized well outside West and Middle Tennessee," he said, as he traveled to Illinois for a nine-show stop on the promotional tour for Pepsi, Kroger and Dr Pepper.

Chandler's Dyersburg stop on Saturday will kick off the illusionist's theater tour.

"We started doing fund-raising shows one to two years ago. I have a huge passion for trying to help people out," said Chandler, who last came to Dyersburg in February 2006, to do a show for DHS Project Graduation 2006.

A former high school band member, Chandler remembers how difficult it can be to raise funds. So, many of his fund-raising shows are helping band booster organizations. Proceeds from Saturday's show will help the DHS Band Boosters purchase new tires for the band bus.

"These fund-raising show are a win-win for everyone," Chandler said. "It helps them raise money. It helps us get our name out and gives us a chance to perform. And the people get a great show for their money."