Press Release Headlines

The Mentalist Wins the Magic Oscar

Gerry McCambridge wins the prestigious Merlin Award

LAS VEGAS, Aug. 26, 2008 — The International Magicians Society, a worldwide organization, which was established in 1968 and currently has over 37,000 members, presented Gerry McCambridge with the prestigious "Merlin" Award for Mentalist of the Decade.

The Merlin Award to the magic fraternity is what the Oscar is to the movies. Some of the past winners of the Merlin Award are Harry Blackstone, Doug Henning, Criss Angel, Siegfried & Roy and David Copperfield.

The voting members begin with approximately one-hundred names and narrow them down to just one. The criteria that the voting members consider are talent, showmanship, originality, skills, and above all the rare ability to entertain under any conditions.

Gerry is the very first Mentalist in the organization's 40-year history to receive the Merlin Award. The award was presented to Gerry by the president of the I.M.S., Tony Hassini, on August 25th, 2008 in Las Vegas immediately following Gerry's performance. His wife and children were present on stage when he accepted the award.

Since moving to Las Vegas three years ago, Gerry has been a strip headliner with over 550 Las Vegas performances to his credit. Hooters Casino Hotel recently extended his contract keeping him headlining in the Night Owl Showroom six nights a week for the next year. Gerry continues to perform at corporate and private functions outside of Las Vegas.

About Gerry McCambridge

New York born and raised, Gerry McCambridge started his career as a magician at the early age of eight, when he received a magic kit as a gift. From that point on, he pursued his love for magic, comedy and performing live, and eventually defined himself as "the mentalist" – an entertainer who, among other things, showcases his ability to screw with people's minds. A regular headliner at Las Vegas' Hooters Casino Hotel, McCambridge now performs there six nights a week. In addition to recently competing on NBC's reality show "Phenomenon," McCambridge starred in and executive-produced "The Mentalist" television show. He also has appeared on countless talk shows, including "Late Night With David Letterman," "The Today Show" and "The Best Damn Sports Show Period." In 2005 he was awarded "Mentalist of the Year" by the Psychic Entertainers Association. The same year Gerry also won "Best Lounge Act" by the Las Vegas Review Journal's readers' poll. In 2007 Gerry was nominated "Best Magician" in Las Vegas by the Las Vegas Review Journal's readers' poll. And now he can add the Merlin Award to his trophy cabinet.

Hi-resolution photos can be downloaded from the "Media" page at http://www.mentalist.com

For interviews, contact:

Gerry McCambridge
702.423.0788
Email
http://www.mentalist.com

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