Guy Michaels is a Smoky Mountain entertainer who really likes to get into his audience members' heads. Literally. Guy's show at the Space Needle's Iris Theater is a can't-miss affair that involves hypnosis and hilarious hijinks.

PigeonForge.com had a chance to catch up with Guy for an interview. Read more about Guy, his show, and more below!



Pigeon Forge: What is hypnosis?

Guy Michaels:  Hypnosis is a natural state of mind that we all enter into naturally on a daily basis.  It's just that we are not usually aware of it.  A hypnotic or trans state is simply stated a frame of mind where the conscience mind (the thoughts that are thinking about work, or school, or the kids etc...) steps aside and allows the more powerful unconscience mind (the part of the mind that keeps our hearts beating, air in our lungs.. it's aware of our surroundings and keeps us alive) to step into the foreground.

Simply stated.., if you have ever had a waking dream? Or a dream so real it seems true? Or if you sleep walk... you are infact hypnotized.  If you have ever driven home at the end of the day and when you get there you do NOT remember driving home?   You were hypnotized!  So that is about the easiest explanation I can offer.

PF: How long have you been practicing hypnosis?  

GM: Well I have been a motivational / inspirational speaker for over 20 years.  Using hypnosis or hypnotic language has been a part of my show(s) for a very long time.  As a host and emcee of some pretty major corporate events, being in front of a large crowd is very natural for me and I love every minute of it.  As far as being a comedic stage hypnotist.. A while ago that a fellow stage hypnotist and former friend approached me and suggested this path.  For that I will always be grateful!  Hypnosis is an ongoing search for knowledge and insight into how the mind works.  As a comedic stage hypnotist, we only go into a few of the many levels of hypnosis. In a clinical setting (hypnotherapy) they hypnotherapist delves much deeper into the subjects unconscious mind for the purpose of treatment. On stage we do not go nearly as deep.

PF: What advice would you give to an aspiring performer?

GM: The best advice I can give to anyone who wants to be "In front of the camera" is to be yourself.  Do not try to mimic or be someone you are not.  There are people who rip off content from others... it happens all the time and in fact there are very few original ideas out there... so with that.....  Be yourself.  Give credit where credit is due.  Find your own voice and just be who you are.  If you are not being natural.. it will read to the audience.   Also... make sure you are doing what you love!  That will also come across on stage as well.  If YOU are enjoying what you are doing... it will show and your audience will enjoy what you are doing as well!

PF: What do you enjoy the most about living and working in the Smokies?  

GM: The people! The Mountains!  I moved here from Florida in 2003 and have never regretted a day of it.  I have been both behind the camera and in front of the camera in many theaters in Pigeon Forge.  I have to say that my new home at the Iris Theater in Gatlinburg has become my favorite.

The Iris Theater is located at the foot of the Space Needle and is a very intimate and unique venue. Pigeon Forge has its fair share of mega theaters... so being in an intimate venue is very nice.  

 The people of the Smokies (both the tourists and the locals) are the reason that I am here.  The generosity and kindness of the people here have never ceased to amaze me.  In my line of work I travel all over the country.  I come into contact with people from all walks of life from every economic climate and ethnic background.  I can tell you this.... when I come into the presence of the green mountains of the Smokies...  I always breathe a little easier because I am truly home.

People from all walks of life visit Pigeon Forge everyday: You never know who’ll you meet! Sometimes celebrity guests blend into the crowds; sometimes they stand out. In the case of 7-foot-1 NBA great Shaquille O’Neal, it’s nearly impossible to go unnoticed.



The super-sized hoops star was in town this week, celebrating his 41st birthday watching the old-fashioned family feud at the Hatfield and McCoy Dinner Show on March 6. Knoxville.com blogger Terry Morrow broke the story about Shaq's appearance.

According to the report, the basketball legend kept a low-profile at the show and didn’t have a souvenir photo made at the door as other guests do. O’Neal and girlfriend Nicole “Hoopz” Alexander took in the show and dined on favorites including chicken, barbeque and soup. The couple also celebrated with four house birthday cakes.

Shaq and Alexander have a home in Maryville, according to reports. Though the star is often away on business, he's occasionally spotted roaming the aisles at Lowe's and other Blount County spots.  The former pro baller considers himself a local and has told Knoxville's News Sentinel that the public has always been gracious to him.

Right now, the self-proclaimed “world’s tallest geek” is making the rounds at SXSW in Austin, Texas. Keep up with O’Neal and his “random acts of Shaqness” by following him on Twitter, @SHAQ.

Have you ever spotted a celeb in Pigeon Forge? Tell us about your meeting in the comments or e-mail laura@pigeonforge.com. We’ll share your stories in an upcoming post!