Mark Johnson Mentalist

During one of my shows -- whether I'm on stage or performing for a small group at a cocktail party -- the audience laughs a lot and says things like "how did you do that?" They have never seen anything like this, and they can't wait to see what will happen next.

I also do individual handwriting analysis and psychic readings for private events, cocktails parties and other functions.

WHO AM I?

I am a top-ranked professional mind reader and mentalist. I tell people what they’re thinking, what they’re going to think, and facts about themselves I couldn’t possibly know. I also do individual handwriting analysis and psychic readings.

WHAT DOES "TOP-RANKED" MEAN?

The Psychic Entertainment Association is an invitation-only organization of the top mentalists and psychic entertainers in the world. I am a member of the Psychic Entertainers Association and honored to be so.

ARE YOU PSYCHIC?

You’ll have to decide for yourself. Some people sure think so, others aren’t sure.

WHAT’S THE PERSONALITY OF YOUR SHOW?

We have a great time. There’s a lot of laughter, audience participation and fun. Often, with the help of my client, I can customize the show to fit a particular group or topic.

DO YOU USE ADULT HUMOR?

No. Period.

WILL YOU CUSTOMIZE YOUR SHOW?

Absolutely.

DO YOU DO SHOWS FOR CHILDREN?

No. Children are bored by mind reading.

ARE YOU A HYPNOTIST?

No.

A MAGICIAN?

No.

WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A MAGICIAN AND A MENTALIST?

The critical difference between a magician and a mind reader is the expectation and preconception levels of the audience. A magician is an illusionist. The audience knows they are being tricked, and the magician knows that the audience knows. But a great magician will leave an audience with a sense of wonder and amazement at how they were tricked.

The Mentalist will leave the audience equally amazed, but there is a critical difference; the amazement comes from wondering IF they were being fooled or if it was real.

GIVE ME AN EXAMPLE.

I shuffle a deck of cars and then ask you to pick one. You put your card back in the deck, and I shuffle the deck. Then I reveal the name of your card. There are a number of ways I could have forced the card, because I had control of the deck.

BUT: If you open a new deck of cards, shuffle them, then have somebody else shuffle them, then a third person picks a card, and I tell you which card is chosen without ever touching the deck, that’s another matter. I never had control of the deck, so the only way I could possibly know which card you picked was by reading your mind.

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN PERFORMING?

I’ve always been a performer. I was a ventriloquist in high school and college, majored in drama, was a radio disc jockey, and once played sax in a circus band. I got the magic bug early but evolved into studying and then performing mentalism and mind reading.

TELL ME ABOUT YOURSELF.

I’m a fifth generation native of Atlanta.

My professional career was as an advertising agency creative director, copywriter and producer.

For the past couple of decades I’ve written speeches and produced presentations for CEO’s and other senior officers of FORTUNE 100 companies. I’m also the author of 4 books, and a fifth is on the way. But my real profession is as a performing mentalist and mind reader, and I love what I do.

I’ve been around the world twice but never to Montana.

I don’t eat beets, chicken livers or musk ox.

The strangest venue I’ve performed in was a plumbing supply show room.

I love all dogs, but I’m partial to Scottish terriers.

My children and grandchildren are perfect in every way.

I’ve never read “Gone With The Wind,” but have seen every episode of NCIS at least three times.

I collect fountain pens.

Occasionally I perform a stand-up comedy routine at local comedy clubs.

I love to travel.

Nothing would be possible without my wife, Rebecca, nor would it be worth it.

I am an easy date. There are minimal sound, lighting and staging requirements for larger shows. When we discuss a specific event, we can go through the rider.