Illusionist quits show after overhearing mayor, county judge argue over money

At left, the shroud-covered water tower at the city cemetery prior to the start of illusionist David Blame’s show Monday morning April 1. At right, the area where the water tower once stood. After overhearing the mayor and county judge argue about who was paying for Blame’s show Monday, the illusionist stopped his performance after making the water tower disappear. Click images to enlarge.

By JIM BROOKS
Nelson County Gazette

Monday, April 1, 2013, 10:47 a.m. — An argument over money between the City of Bardstown and Nelson Fiscal Court prompted an internationally known illusionist to walk out in the middle of his show Monday morning, leaving the city missing one of its water towers.

Noted illusionist David Blame arrived in Bardstown for a charity appearance on Friday, promising that he would re-create David Copperfield’s famous 1983 illusion that made the Statue of Liberty disappear. Blame planned to donate a portion of his fee to charity. Since the county lacked a a large statue, the city offered Blame the use of the water tower located in the Bardstown cemetery.

As shown at right, Blame and his crew arrived late last week to survey the site and begin preparations, which included erecting a huge shroud around the water tower. Hundreds of onlookers began gathering before sunrise today hoping to to grab a prime spot to view the spectacle.

Stage hands traveling with illusionist David Blame prepare the water tower at the Bardstown Cemetery for Blame’s charity performance that took place earlier today. After Blame made the water tower disappear, he overheard an argument regarding payment of his fee between Mayor Bill Sheckles and Judge-Executive Dean Watts. Blame’s next trick was to make himself disappear before he before he made the water tower reappear. Click to enlarge.

Blame took center state today at 10 a.m. sharp. After a wave of his magic wand and sizable pyrotechnic effects at the base of the water tower, Blame ordered the shroud to be dropped to the ground, which revealed that the water tower had disappeared.

While the magician basked in thunderous applause, he apparently overhead an argument between Bardstown Mayor Bill Sheckles and Judge-Executive Dean Watts over who was going to pay for Blame’s performance.

Eyewitnesses said Sheckles claimed county government “has never paid its fair share” in joint city-county organizations and agreements, and demanded the county pay more than half of Blame’s performance fee. Watts rejected Sheckles’ argument, pointing to the tremendous tax windfall the city received from the recent occupational tax changes.

The men did not know Blame was listening; bystanders said the magician was visibly upset and realized he was probably going to be cheated out of his  performance fee.

“He took his cape and split,” the bystander said. “On his way off the stage, he said he will only bring the water tower back if the city and county can agree to pay him his full fee.”

In an text message to the Gazette, Blame confirmed he walked out halfway through his performance.

“After I made the water tower disappear, it looked like your local leaders were unable to agree on how they would live up to their shared obligations. When it looks like I’m not going to get paid for any of my performances, the final trick I do is make myself disappear.”

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