Joe M. Turner | |
|---|---|
 Joe M. Turner keynoting at a conference. | |
| Born | November 23, 1969 Jackson, Mississippi, U.S. |
| Alma mater | Mississippi State University (1992) |
| Occupation(s) | Magician, mentalist, speaker |
| Website | http://www.turnermagic.com |
Joe M. Turner (born November 23, 1969) is an American corporate magician, mentalist, and a frequent keynote speaker at conferences and other gatherings. [1] [2] He has appeared on CNN [3] and network television programs in Europe and South America. [4]
Joe Milton Turner was born in Jackson, Mississippi and grew up in nearby Brandon. His early years were marked with interest in magic, music, and acting. He was fascinated with the televised magic performances of Doug Henning and David Copperfield. He cites Johnny Carson, Dick Van Dyke, Red Skelton and Victor Borge as additional influences on his style.
Turner attended Mississippi State University where he was awarded one of the first Schillig Leadership Scholarships. [5] While a student at Mississippi State, Turner earned a 1989 summer undergraduate fellowship to study nuclear physics at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. He spent evenings in Oak Ridge as the pianist/music director at the local theater. During the summers of 1991 and 1992 he was awarded music direction and performance internships at Maine State Music Theatre. He later wrote and composed the stage musical BankNote$. [6] [7]
He serves on the selection committee for the Mississippi State University distinguished scholars program, which encompasses the original Schillig program plus other subsequently endowed scholarships. [8]
Turner was engaged by CMI (a division of Clear Channel Entertainment), The Coca-Cola Company, and Reading is Fundamental to design, write, direct, and train performers to use magic in a project to promote literacy among school-age children. [9] [10]
In addition to his corporate work, Turner starred in an ongoing one-man magic cabaret show in Atlanta's Buckhead district from 2005 through 2008. The show, Shenanigans, [11] [12] was presented at the Grand Hyatt Atlanta and was highlighted as a favorite by former Atlanta mayor Sam Massell. [13] [14]
Turner served as the 2015-2016 International President of the International Brotherhood of Magicians. [15]