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Biography |
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| Born
in Pittsburgh, Jim first became interested in magic at the age of seven.
Tony Curtis playing the role of Harry Houdini inspired Jim to read more
about the art. Reading became a way for him to learn how to duplicate
Houdini’s work and continues to serve as one of the main mediums
through which he voraciously gathers his information today.
It was not until the age of nine that his first exposure to hypnosis occurred. Jim’s father had been taking classes to learn about the study and needed to develop his skills through practice. During one such session he asked Jim to participate in a remote viewing experiment. Serving as the subject, Jim first entered into a relaxed state. From there he was asked to leave his body so he could picture himself looking over his father’s shoulder and read from the open magazine on the dinning room table. "I can still remember what it felt like to look over my father’s shoulder and I still remember what I saw in that open magazine." Although Jim has since worked in the field of self-hypnosis he says "I have not to this point been able to experience that same sensation." While in his early teens. Jim saw Mike Douglas interview Uri Geller. He was well known at that time for his work in paranormal phenomenon. Geller served as an inspiration to explore the field although Jim has not been able to reproduce what Geller does. "There are differences in what we do. Geller seems to be able to work on command and uses his own hand to create what could be considered a paranormal experience. While not every attempt is successful, I find I need someone else to hold the object for the paranormal experience to occur" says Jim. During this same time Mr. Callahan became interested in combining his work in the paranormal with his skills in human endurance. This pairing led to escapes using a hooded straight-jacket in stage performances, escaping from a sealed water filled 55 gallon drum for Carnegie Mellon University, and his first spot on television. PM Magazine, a popular evening show in the late 1970’s and early 1980’s, featured Jim as the first person to perform an underwater straight-jacket escape. His budding reputation also enabled him, by age 18, to write, produce, and direct a cast of twelve in his first large-scale stage show featuring his original productions. It was also at this time that the University of Pittsburgh’s External Studies Program decided to research and expose techniques used by psychics to support their claims. Hoping to find an expert to help explain, they found no magician interested in pursuing this matter. It was Paul Gertner who recommended Jim for the project. "While I said I was interested in helping with the program’s work, I made it clear that as a magician I would demonstrate what I do but would in no way explain how I do it. I also made it clear that I would not explain the work of psychics" says Jim. The university agreed to slightly alter their study and focus more on Jim’s abilities. From there a series of experiments were held under the terms of the project’s research staff. One experiment required Jim to be blinded with 15 feet of ace bandages. From that point he road a bicycle through the course set up in one of the university’s parking lots. Using what has been termed ‘paraoptic vision’ Jim successful maneuvered around people and obstacles on the course. In another experiment he moved objects placed by researchers under Plexiglas cubes. While he found extreme success in the previously mentioned events, he attempted metal bending with only slight results. The researchers in the External Studies Program concluded that it was impossible to not believe in the things Jim did. Biography Q&A |
It was shortly after the study that Jim
served as a featured performer for Busch Gardens where he drew record
breaking standing room only crowds. Foot traffic was often rerouted due
to the overflow of fans. At this point Jim began his research in  what he
has termed group organism dynamics. "What I discovered led me to
create a new form of entertainment. Although it has taken almost 20
years to develop, I managed to combine research data and my own
idiosyncratic abilities to provide a performance that not only
entertains an audience but also allows them the experience the
sensations of a paranormal experience," says Jim. This also
provides him with the opportunity to challenge what people perceive as
real. Large corporations have hired Jim to teach executives as well as
salespeople how to incorporate his ideas into their professional and
even their personal lives.
Always searching for new ways to channel his creativity, Jim sang lead and played lead guitar in his own band, The Thrusters. Lasting about 10 years, the group combined rockabilly, blues, originals, and jazz but was capable of faking both country and metal as needed. Although no longer together, The Thrusters still has a following and the former members occasionally consider a reunion tour. Other opportunities have also arisen. One of his agents tried to steer him into a modeling career, talking him into headshots and setting up appointments. This did not last long since Jim’s interests have always leaned more towards magic and the paranormal. There was a two year hiatus from magic when he opened his own restaurant on the South Carolina coast. Trying to provide the best service and "made for real" food, Jim offered what is not often found in the dinning industry today. "People knew when they came to Callahan’s that they were being served a meal that was created out of raw ingredients not a prepackaged food service product like most other restaurants provide. We had a large window between the dinning room and the kitchen and folks loved to watch the art of cooking," says Jim. Unfortunately the demanding role as owner and chef allowed little time for his pursuit of the paranormal. Speaking about his pursuit he says "It was like it wouldn’t let me go. I often perform as a magician, traveling nationwide but primarily working corporate events on Hilton Head Island. Still there is always something that goes beyond what most people would deem as normal. People at these events have repeatedly told me that they have never seen a magician like me. They find themselves believing in what they would never consider to be real," And the pull towards the paranormal does not just effect his performance but also plays a role in his everyday life. "Things happen. I know it sounds strange but there are these incidents where reality seems to change for me. The out of body experience as a child. A near death experience in the sealed water filled 55 gallon drum. One time I was alone in my car when I was hit by lightening. I felt time slow down. Looking back I know it’s impossible. The concept of time can’t be altered. But it was for me." Jim continues by saying " these events have changed the way I see things, the way I am. I can only sleep for 3 to 4 hours a night. I developed this insatiable desire for knowledge. If I spend 30 minutes waiting in a doctor’s office I will have read every magazine in the place. The subject doesn’t matter- Science News to Women’s Day, I don’t care. It’s this craving. I’ve said I’ll look at anything once, and it’s true." Some of this energy has been spent on developing his own production company. As owner he creates his own photography, music and design for his website, CDs and publicity. He is currently working on his touring show and a live web broadcast of a paranormal event. The broadcast will taken place within the next year and the touring show will be available within the next few months. Join the mailing list if you are interested in these events. One last thing Jim thought it was important for his readers to know is that if you are looking in his biography for typical credentials you won’t find them. "Where could I go to school to learn what I know? What college offers a major in paranormal activity and group organism dynamics? This is not to say that I have not put years into independent study and research. For what I do there is no reason to sit in a classroom if I can read it for myself."
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