User:KhevinBarnes



= Khevin Barnes =

Khevin Barnes, A.K.A. "DR. WILDERNESS" was the creator of the longest running non-profit 501(C)3 environmental Magic Show" in the United States. Called "America's Premier Environmental Magician" by the Audubon Society" in 1988, Barnes first worked for the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry with a magical school assembly program that toured the West coast of the United States with shows in Alaska, Washington, Oregon, Idaho and California. In 1995 he embarked on a 10 month backpacking tour through 55 countries, sponsored in part by Reebok shoes and Adventure 16 Outdoor stores. The United States Department of Defense hired Barnes as "Dr. Wilderness" to visit Okinawa, Japan to perform for the elementary schools on the American base. He was invited to tour in South Korea, Germany. Following the success of those tours he returned for a final round of shows in Japan, visiting and performing in 11 cities across the country. On returning to the Pacific Northwest, Barnes visited KOIN TV, the CBS affiliate in Portland, Oregon to pitch and idea for the first-ever environmental magic show on National Television. The station funded the show with $225,000 for a pilot program and in 1997 the show was taped in a studio set designed to look like the Dr. Wilderness cabin and workshop. 4 professional actors were hired as characters in the show, and filming was completed in downtown Portland and surrounding forest areas. The show aired as a Primetime Family Special on CBS stations nationwide on Earth Day, April 22, 1997, with a second special the following year. Khevin Barnes co-wrote and produced the show in addition to his starring role as Dr. Wilderness. He was also listed as the show's creator. The show garnered multiple Emmy Awards for "Best Direction" and "Best Writing" of a children's television show. Barnes' original tune "Jack the Sack" was also nominated. Barnes landed a 13-year contract with The San Diego Water Authority and presented 3,500 elementary school shows before retiring from the stage and magic at the age of 70.