Rod Johnson is the founder of the Rivenmaster Promotional Network which has featured over 160 young artists from all over the world and worked directly as publicist and public relations manager/advisor for Singing Sensation Sam Santiago. Rod has published hundreds of articles and created a number of beginning websites for new young artists some who have now gone on to being signed recording artists.
Rod also has worked with ACA Productions, a small film company in the Chicago area, acting as advisor for script and aiding with graphic design for their film projects.
Rivenmaster Promotions turns 13 this year! To help us celebrate this occasion, we thought we would bring back a veteran artist who not only was one of the very first to appear on the original website, but also who has continued to be one of the most successful independent artists to grace this platform.
Sam’s Medals
New Zealand’s R&B artist Sam V “Sam Verlinden” was only 12 years old the first time he was showcased and still holds the record of having the most updated articles published.
Even at the tender age of 12 he had already been awarded a number of prestigious awards from various contests and performances.
Sam V at 12 years of age.
Sam continued to progress in his musical skills while still enjoying being a young teen enjoying sports, and other youthful activities that encompasses any youngster’s life. He never lost hold of his dreams and vision for a musical career even while furthering his education in college.
It is for that reason, I asked Sam to write to today’s young artists who are pursuing the same dreams that Sam had at their age and share what he learned in the process of pursuing those dreams.
Sam V’s Letter to Young Artists:
Sam V
Talofa lava Rivenmaster fam!
For those who aren’t familiar with my work, my name is Sam V and I’m a 24-year-old R&B artist/songwriter/director hailing from Auckland, New Zealand. Currently I manage my own music career, as well as a collective called Y$O (check us out lol).
I’ve had the privilege of being connected with “Rivenmaster/ Rod Johnson ” since I was a wee young buck. Rod took a willing interest in my work and development, and for that I am extremely grateful.
While still relatively young I thought I’d take a moment to share some of my learnings so far in the music industry.
1: Don’t wait for opportunities, make them. The most successful people I know are go-getters and highly ambitious, none of them wait for doors to be opened or platforms to be leveraged. They create their own.
For young artists apply this mindset with shows – don’t wait for a promoter to hit you up, make it happen yourself. Book a venue, learn how to promote, make mistakes. Do the same thing with releases, drop a song, promote it, send it to your mates, do it wrong, learn for next time.
2: Throw darts at the board. Sometimes the hardest thing for young artists to do is start. The anxiety around your first release, first live performance in a while, first online upload. Once you overcome your own fears and doubts, start trying things out.
You’ll notice what works/what doesn’t (examples – release strategies, skits, TikTok, pop-up shows, collabs etc etc) just try things out lol.
3. Self Beliefis everything. Humility is great. You know what’s better? Self-belief. Speak your stuff and back it up. Manifest things into reality. It works lol. Most of the artists from my country I’ve wanted to work with, I’ve worked/spoken into existence.
There’s something real driving about keeping yourself accountable to things you’ve said.
4. Honour those who’ve helped you. Remember those who were there through the hard learnings & honor those people where you can. More of a sentimental nod than advice but ya know.
Anyway, if you have any questions regarding music things just flick me a bell on my IG and I’ll get back to you ASAP. Just tryna be the best or something.
When you think of great Musicals that have been brought to Broadway over the years you think of professionalism and the very best of acting, singing, dancing, and of course all of the stage hands, sound crews, technicians etc. To bring such a play to a High School you would almost think impossible. But I have news for you!
I Just came from Forest Hills High School Summerstock production of “Newsies” I have to say it was totally amazing. You will not see a finer production of this Off Broadway. The youngsters aged from incoming 9th graders to Seniors were extraordinary. The vocal harmonies were not only perfect but presented as professional as you will find it!
I have seen professional musical productions and these kids shine amazingly considering they have only had 12 days of working rehearsals. Director, Dave Howard must be awarded high praise for his work with these young actors. He absolutely brought out the best in each and every one of them.
If you have seen the Disney Film for this musical then you know the type of dancing and choreography required. I told my wife that I would be surprised to see tap dancing and all the other dance moves that is demanded for this production. I have to tell you that Holly Wallace, Mary Camp Jasmine Gerard and Tara Truskowski not only pulled every move off, but really made this a top-notch show with their talented direction. Of course, there are many more that also need to be praised for their work on this show.
I truly can’t say enough about the stage crew, lighting, and sound department. With Covid still presenting issues and having to go without a live orchestra the sound track was seamlessly interwoven into the live drama being played out on stage. Every scene was enhanced with a detailed and professional looking set with backdrops and form fitted movable sets being moved into place by a tremendously rehearsed crew. Not one glitch did I find or a sour note from the entire cast. The leads, Jack Kelly played by (Grant VanderKlipp), Crutchie, (Ben McKim), Katherine Plumber, (Emily Williams), Joseph Pulitzer, (Deni Tepic), Medda Larkin, (Gwin Mack), Spot Conlon, (Jacob Couch), Davey, (Jack Bieniewicz), and Little Brother Les, (Brandon Baum), brought this musical production to life with their extraordinary vocals and acting.
This is a must-see production! If you live anywhere near Grand Rapids Michigan I encourage you in the highest regard to see this musical. You will not be disappointed
A few years ago I was privileged to travel to Scotland to work alongside of an exceptional video team of professionals who are already making waves in the entertainment industry with a great feature film under their belt, called Gaelic Kingby Fellowship Film. Of course being able to visit and stay with my long time friend, writer/director and professional vocalist Matthew Todd, made my trip even more enjoyable.
Since then Mathew has stayed busy working and being an amazing example for youth, while inspiring them in the arts through a company called Out of The Box who recently produced a short film entitled “Full Armor”. In the meantime Fellowship Film comprised of Matthew his two brothers Phil and Nathan, and cousins John and Tom, will also be releasing a new full length feature film very soon called Jessie and the Elf Boy , now in post production. Which I’m sure you will hear about right here or over on the main site.
However, today we are featuring Matthews last music video project which features an amazing young actor/model named Jonah Paull.
I wanted to publish this some time ago but things worked out where it had to wait until now so my hope is that you will not only read and enjoy this publication but spread the word by sharing and leaving a comment at the end of this post. The following was written and summited to this site by Producer/Director Matthew Todd.
The Award Winning Music Video
The Song Behind the Music Video
One night, I had a dream. It was so vivid, so powerful that I would have to say that, in some sense, the experience changed me permanently. In the dream, I lived a year in the life of a young child fleeing from war and searching for true home. A haunting song – a song that belonged to that child – was fully formed in my mind when I woke.
I mechanically scribbled down the lyrics and recorded the melody so I would not forget. Then I left it. I was not sure what to make of it; what to do with it. Singing it felt strange because they were not my words and it was not my journey. I was captivated by the story, but it was not my story to tell. So I let it lie for four years…
The Music Video is Born
In a way, it was the gruelling lockdowns of 2020 that spurred me to bring ‘Home’ to the screen. After months of isolation I had a strong desire to tell a meaningful story, and the song kept replaying in my mind.
Covid restrictions meant that a music video with a single actor was the most realistic option (and having been very short of paid employment since March I could not afford any additional crew or equipment). However, this forced me to be creative in how I communicated the story.
We witness the seasons of a quest to find home through the eyes of a refugee child. As he journeys onwards he experiences the winter of despair, but always holds on to the hope that he will find true home at the end of the road. The story unfolds season by season, the changes in the landscape the boy sees around him reflecting the changes in his own longing heart.
Jonah Paull – the young actor
I have been blessed for some time now to be able to call Jonah’s mother a personal friend. Jonah had been almost cast in several of my projects in the past and we had kept in touch, finding we had much in common in our world view as well as our enthusiasm for powerful and wholesome storytelling. It would be fair to say we were both excited about the possibility of Jonah filling the role.
It was a joy and a privilege to be able to work with Jonah at last. With him being an award winning actor, I was not too surprised by his skills and professionalism. However, what amazes me to this day is the way he is able to inhabit characters so different to his own personality.
Jonah is one of the most truly happy 11-year-olds you will ever meet. Yet, somehow, when it was time to perform you could see his whole being transform before your eyes. You suddenly felt you were in the room with a different person. I know, I am merely describing the art of acting in general! However, this was something more. It was closer to a spiritual experience. With everything happening in the world with global pandemics and civil unrest, filming ‘Home’ was an especially precious time.
I have never told anyone this. It might help put in context some of the feelings I am describing:
When I had travelled down to Windsor the night before the shoot (an 8 or 9 hour drive) Jonah’s mother gave me a bag of food. It was a simple gesture due to the fact that Covid restrictions meant we could not eat together. I took it back to my Travel Lodge and as I took the various items out of the bag one by one I started weeping uncontrollably. Initially I was so shocked I hardly knew what was happening. It felt like something cold and hard was melting inside me.
My best guess is this: after so many months of isolation and being controlled by threats from the government (not a criticism – just a fact), locked into the challenges of caring for my family and feeling I was failing in every aspect, I had forgotten what an act of random kindness felt like. When compassion catches you off guard, you never forget it.
It’s what ‘Home’ is really about. We might not yet have what it takes to feel empathy for our neighbours and family members who are driving us insane. But we don’t need to start there. If we can kindle the flame of compassion by considering a war-torn refugee searching for ‘Home’, that flame starts to melt the cold and calloused areas of our hearts. Before long, our love starts to grow and we see others as fellow wanders in desperate need of our understanding rather than enemies to be hated.
What I had the privilege of experiencing as I watched Jonah act was someone not only empathizing with the refugee, but embodying him. I used to wonder if I would one day meet the person whose song I am singing and they would help me understand why I was given the privilege of living the seasons of their journey. I felt that I met him the day we shot ‘Home’. He was there with us in the room, in the music and in Jonah’s acting. I can’t say how or why such things happen, but they don’t leave you unchanged.
I am indebted to Jonah and his family for encouraging and inspiring me in countless ways. This is as much their video as it is mine.
To date the music video has been awarded an Official Selection for the following festivals:
Prague International Monthly Film Festival (Finalist)
Rome Music Video Awards (awaiting final result)
International Music Video Awards (awaiting final result)
In addition, it was awarded Best Music Video in the FAB Chart (by public vote) and Jonah received the award for best actor.
The Legacy
Any money I made from selling the recording of ‘Home’ I donated to Derrick who runs an orphanage in Uganda. They had a vision to build their own building so they did not run the risk of eviction and starvation every month.
I am delighted to say that due to this and a family members extremely generous support, the land has been purchased and work has started on building the orphanage!
The most powerful stories don’t stay on the page or on the screen. They come to life and real lives are changed.
If you want to be part of this story, check out the video I put together for him and get in touch:
