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.
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:
If you have been following this network of sites then you already know what an amazing singer/performer Owen McVeigh from Ireland is. I’m sure you are also aware of his last Album which was an extraordinary hit and added to his already amazing five album releases. Owen, now 18 years old has accomplished what many in the entertainment industry struggle to do even at a much older age. Owen’s last album called ” How Beautiful Heaven Must Be ” now makes 6 studio albums for this extraordinary Irish Superstar. In addition, Owen has now accumulated over 60 Million social media views in the just the past 5 years.
A little History Recap:
Owen who comes from Coleraine, only started singing 6 years ago when he was just 12 years old. With no professional training, his main influence was his dad Dessie, who is also an excellent country singer in his own right and his 2 sisters Shauna 21 and Shannon 15 are both very supportive and share the love of country and gospel music. While his Mother Michelle may not sing, Owen shared the following:
“Mum has always had music playing in the house for as long as I can remember. Especially all the great old American Country legends like Ray Price, Gene Watson etc. I’m very lucky that I have such supportive, loving and encouraging parents and my 2 sisters are also fantastic.My dad sings and plays guitar too and we often sit at home singing together. I guess that’s when mum and dad noticed how much I loved music and that I had a talent to sing”.
It was a chance appearance in Coleraine at an outside broadcast of the BBC Radio Ulster Hugo Duncan show in 2015, that instantly showcased the young singer’s natural talent performing “God’s Plan” written by Derek Ryan. Of course, like many of you I was first introduced to Owen from his Mother’s posting a video of him sitting in their home singing a song called “My Mother”. I knew instantly that this boy was going to become an international sensation. This video post led to his discovery by Irish Country Star Jimmy Buckley who shared Owen’s video and offered Owen an invitation to sing his song with him at his live show!
Since then, Owen has appeared on many tv shows including a Tv documentary ‘Keeping Er Country’ which followed the young star as he performed at shows, meeting fans, recording in the studio and even at home with him and the family. Owen also has appeared on the TV3 Toy Show, The Ray Darcy Show, The Nolan Show, and Starting on Wednesday, February 24th, Owen will be embarking on a new TV segment “Owen Mac’s Country & Gospel” on the very popular TV show “Steve’s Country Showdown” Broadcast every Wednesday at 8pm on Spotlight TV 365 & Freesat 516.
In August 2018 the young Irish star travelled to Canada to perform at 2 sell out solo shows. Then in 2019 Owen made his debut performance in the USA and plans were in place for an extensive tour of USA and Canada in 2020 but due to COVID-19 restrictions sadly was unable to go ahead and plans are currently in the pipeline to reschedule the tours.
Also in 2019 Owen toured with Michael English and his band as his special guest. This again gave Owen valuable experience performing in front of large crowds.
Owen’s latest 12 track Gospel Album “How Beautiful Heaven Must Be” Was launched late 2020 and is available on hisWebsite along with all of Owen’s previous album releases
Owen has to date won numerous awards including “The Big Tom Inspiration Award” at The Hot Country Awards and “Best Male Newcomer Award” at The Northern Ireland Country Music Awards
Owens latest single release“Wake Up Dancing”written By Angie Russell, John Colgin & Garry is now available on iTunes and I’ve been told he will soon have a video release of this song. Be watching for that to appear here very soon!
