Author: Rivenmaster

Rivenmaster Passing The Torch

 passing the torch

Rod Johnson aka Rivenmaster
Rod Johnson aka Rivenmaster

It’s been nearly six years that Rod Johnson aka Rivenmaster has been promoting young talent on this website and during this time the site has grown exponentially. Over 130 young artists have graced the pages here some being featured on a variety of occasions and numerous times. 

During this time period Rivenmaster’s Place has reached every habitable continent and provided opportunities for young musical prodigies to be featured for the very first time on a platform extending into the entertainment industry. In addition to helping introduce these talented youngsters to other talent scouts and producers, the site has also been instrumental in recommending some of these musical prodigies for scholarships and helped put them in contact with both television and radio producers. 

Author and owner Rod Johnson, aka Rivenmaster has decided to step down from the ownership of Rivenmaster’s Place and will soon be passing all ownership and managerial rights to Matthew Todd, an exceptionally qualified and dedicated young professional author, teacher, and vocal artist. 

While Rod plans to stay on as an author and will still submit occasional publications, the sole responsibility and all managerial duties will belong to the new owner, Author Matthew Todd. 

“I’m very excited about this”, said Rod Johnson. “Rivenmaster’s Place has needed an infusion of new blood with fresh ideas and the time and energy to take it to the next level. We need a new look with a new platform that can reach all forms of new technology. For the longest time we have needed to change the site so it will work better on Smart Phones and Tablets in addition to still function well on laptops, and desktop computers. Matthew Todd is not only a proven author with the ability to inspire youth in music as a teacher, but already has a team to help him accomplish many of the things that I have been desiring to do with the site for some time. I’m very anxious to see what they have in store for the future of this website.” 

While all the plans are not yet ready to announce, over the next month or so Matthew will begin announcing a name change and start revealing some of his vision for the future of the site. 

You should not be alarmed with any of this as the site is only going to become bigger and better than ever with all of the past articles following the move to its new location on the web. Eventually, the site will have a new layout and possess the potential to reach more readers and subscribers than ever before. 

You can still follow Rod on:

 

About the New Owner/Author 

Matthew Todd Whtbg300
Matthew Todd

 

Matthew Todd was born in Scotland in 1988 into a large musical family. He has been performing and singing for as long as he can remember, along with his four brothers and two sisters. Music was always an escape and a passion in the Todd family but Matthew knew that, for him, it was going to be even more important.  

Growing up in the remote Highlands of Scotland, it was a real challenge to gain the essential foundation and experience for a career in music. Throughout his school career, Matthew was systematically bullied and discouraged and music became an invaluable solace through this difficult time. However, he persevered with his dream and, after completing his vocal studies at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, Matthew began a varied and exciting musical career as a tenor soloist, choral conductor, composer, community musician, teacher and music therapist. 

Due to his own childhood, Matthew has a deep concern for young people and their struggles and challenges. Drawing from his own experience and extensive voluntary youth work, Matthew has created many pieces of art and literature with a particular emphasis on the power of children to make a difference to the world. These include an historical novel for children – ‘For the King’ – numerous songs, poems and short stories, and a choral drama – ‘Such is the Kingdom’ – which was premiered in Glasgow Cathedral in 2013. More recently, he has been involved in the production and scoring of films through ‘Fellowship Film’, a small film company which he co-manages with two of his brothers and two of his cousins. 

It has been a delight for Matthew to introduce and manage the Gaitway Brothers. After a tragic event in the boys’ lives, Matthew saw their musical and acting potential and began mentoring the twins when they were just 10 years old. Now, the boys have about a dozen music videos (including the award-winning ‘Còmhla Riut-sa’), an album, many single tracks and thousands of fans. Their acting and vocals also feature in a ‘Fellowship Film’ production: ‘The Fable of Forsaken’. 

It is Matthew’s passion to help as many young people as possible achieve their dreams and to encourage them to make a difference to the world.      

 

 

 

More about Matthew Todd
New Owner/Admin of Rivenmaster.com: 

New Look, New Voice, New Music, New Zealand’s Sam Verlinden

“Music has always been me. There was never one defining moment that I thought “I think I might like to be an artist” … it has been in my veins from day one.”             Sam V 

Sam Verlinden Profile Photo 2015
Sam V (Verlinden)

It has been almost two years since we have turned the spotlight on for New Zealand’s Star Vocalist Sam Verlinden. This is why we are happy to be bringing Sam back into focus especially at this time with the launch of his Brand New Original Song and New Music Video.

Sam V 2015
Sam V

Quite a lot has happened over the past couple of years with Sam and his musical career with the most notable being his more mature vocal sound and original single releases.

Gone forever is his lovely high range where he could belt out covers of Beyonce and other great female artists. It is now replaced with a rich lower register, which opened the door for Sam to try many new genres, including the world of classic croon.

Sam V 2 2015
Sam strikes a pose for us!

This new voice and sound help launch Sam into his school bands and orchestra at his High School. Following a standing ovation he received at one school performance of Mac the Knife – he became fondly known as Sammy Sinatra or Sammy Buble by many of the teachers, students and other student families. Having followed Sam closely over the years, I always knew that his vocals would someday rock the entertainment industry. However, he totally blew me away with his rendition of

Mack the Knife
with his High School Orchestra backing him up!

Sam was also given the role of his School Senior Cantor, which involved leading mass and a wonderful introduction into classic gospel and hymns. In addition he was given the role of Senior Choir Coordinator, leading the school choir time.

All of this musical involvement at his High School enabled him to mould gently into his new vocal range which now ranges strongly from tenor to baritone.

He also decided to audition in the School Production in 2014, and was delighted to get the lead role of Bobby Strong in ‘Urinetown’. He really enjoyed this experience and he auditioned once again for this year’s Musical ‘Pippin’, and again – landed the lead role of Pippin, which will come to the stage in July 2015.

Sam is not only musically gifted and talented; he has also been excelling academically, achieving top marks in the school for Music and Global Perspectives the last 2 years in a row.

Sam V What You've DoneOutside of school, Sam has also been incredibly busy.

He has been working with an incredible Producer Vince Harder (Harder Music Group) who is currently based in Australia. Together they have created several new tracks, with one of them (What You’ve Done) already winning funding from NZ On Air – for production and release of a music video. The music video was filmed 2 weeks ago and it is targeted for release in March 2015.

Use both the photo (left), and text links to purchased Sam’s new single from either iTunes or Amazon.com UK.   Listen to and Like it on the NZ On Air Sound Cloud Site!

Here is Sam’s Brand New Music Video

What You've Done Sam V“What You’ve Done”

Sam Verlinden Pop Star
Sam Verlinden Pop Star

They have mixed and mastered another 4 tracks, with the hope of releasing an EP later this year.

The experience of working with such a top quality Producer has helped launch Sam into the local New Zealand music industry, where is he continues to gain a solid reputation for being a very talented and credible artist in his own home country.

SEE SAM’S LATEST BIOGRAPHY AND RESUME

2015 will continue to be busy for Sam as he prepares for his final year in High School, establishing himself into his leadership Prefect roles and launching his upcoming single, music video and EP.

Sam V 3 2015
Sam V

He has a Music Tour to Europe scheduled in April, where a group of 20 students will visit Rome, Croatia, Austria and other countries sharing their music.

Later in the year a smaller group of 15 students will travel to Rarotonga, Cook Islands to perform in their celebrations of 50 years of independence. This will be very special for Sam as his grandmother is from Rarotonga and he holds a great affinity with the small Pacific Country.

I must admit that having Sam be a part of this website since its conception has been a real honour and privilege. Observing his development and growth both as a young artist and young man has been a special joy and rewarding experience. There has never been a doubt in my mind that Sam Verlinden is headed for greatness and I look forward to many years of great music, concert performances, stage plays, and even Broadway in his future.

In closing Sam asked me to publish the following which we are humbled to do. Since Sam was one of the very first to ever be published on this website I have given Sam the honor of leaving a hint regarding some changes that are in the works for this website which continues to grow and expand in amazing ways to the benefit of many young musicians, aspiring actors, stage performers and vocalists.

 

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“I’ve never taken anything for granted – and as every new door has opened for me, or when every new opportunity arises, I’m always surprised and sometimes overwhelmed – but always really grateful when people enjoy what I do.

I’m still learning and developing – and have been really lucky to work with some incredibly talented and supportive people that I’ll always be so grateful for. I think that’s the key to this thing – to make sure you surround yourself with people who have walked the road before you, people you can trust and people with the best work ethic. Then whatever happens, you’ll be ok.

I’m incredibly grateful for all the support I have received from Rivenmaster and from all the supporters and readers of the Rivenmaster websites in addition to the fellow artists Rivenmaster features on his pages – several of whom I have made friends with.”

I would like to thank Rod from Rivenmaster for everything he has done for all the young artists he has featured on his site over the last few years. I have met so many new friends and supporters from all around the world as a result and have been able to glean much from the good advice and support they have provided on the site.   In addition, I wish the very best to the new team who will be taking over the reins during the next few months”.    

Thank you again Rivenmaster for the unconditional support from the start – and I know I speak for all the young artists when I say WE are lucky to have had such a supportive and safe place as Rivenmaster’s Place to launch our music careers. Blessings!

Sam Verlinden

For More About Sam V visit:

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Side note*

Rivenmaster.com will soon acquire a New Name, New Domain, New Team and New Ownership.

Rivenmaster.com will soon be transferring ownership to a brand new team who will be taking this site to even greater heights and deeper depths of promotion of young artists from all over the world. The full article about this expansion and growth will be made public on March 20th. Fear not! Rivenmaster “Rod Johnson” is not going anywhere. He will continue to support and publish occasional articles to this website.  We are confident that this site can do nothing but become even more successful in helping the youth of today become the stars of tomorrow. Be watching on March 20th for this very special article detailing this transition.