Moore Magic arrives in Turkey

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Timothy Taylor
  • 39th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey --  

Rick Moore and Rodney Kelley have traveled the world entertaining the military and its children.

The two have been touring for the past 29 years showing their magic extravaganza to military, civilian and anyone who has an appetite for fun.

"We've traveled everywhere from Italy to Portugal, and we've seen some amazing people and some amazing sites," said Mr. Moore. The magicians have been touring various bases and locations throughout Europe and the Mediterranean.

"Touring this much, this often, is sometimes tiring, but it's all worth it when you see the reaction and expression from the audience," said Mr. Kelley.

Both entertainers have been performing magic from young ages and have always had a great interest in entertaining friends, family, and anyone willing to watch.

Mr. Moore spent eight and a half years in the Air Force before separating and becoming a fulltime performer. Before leaving the Air Force, he performed with Tops in Blue.

"I first got into magic when I was five years old and just continued learning more difficult and complex tricks until I became a fulltime performer," said Mr. Moore.

Mr. Moore's partner, Mr. Kelley also has an obsession with magic.

"I guess I really started to get into magic when I was in the fourth grade," he said.

Mr. Kelley started out performing magic in Nashville, Tenn.. He has performed in more shows in the city of Nashville than any other magician on earth, according to his biography Web page. Some of Mr. Kelley's favorite people to entertain are the military children.

"Some of the locations the children are at make it hard for them to get out and see what an average child their age might get to see, and I love to see their faces light up when I perform tricks for them on stage," he said.

Their current tour has taken them to Italy, Portugal, and finally Turkey. They performed a show at Incirlik's Elementary School May 24, and again that night at Incirlik's Consolidated Club Complex. Their shows feature everything from magic rings to sawing a person in half. After they finish their 2007 tour, they'll head back to Nashville to recoup and prepare for the next tour.