Flipbook TV
Production & Formats Slate
Venus & Mars and Orestes Music
Recorded & Publishing
My Life On A Stick Books
DocuVideoBook – new imprint
At My Life On A Stick we capture the essence of life stories; we tell life stories that inspire, connect, and endure. Raw emotions and experiences turn into compelling narratives bringing stories to life in an authentic, immersive and unforgettable way. Our mission is to publish the soundtrack of lives that deserve to be heard. Online and in your pocket. More
launches with two Significant Stories
Story One
About a ‘person’ who was first discovered, by a band … in a ‘Musicals Class’, their potential was recognised, then nurtured and developed into a Global Popstar.
Story One: Global Popstar ‘Sam Smith’
Story Two
About the band who journeyed 25 years through the music business, signed by major record labels, had their own TV series …… oh, and discovered that ‘person’ who is now a Global Popstar.
Story Two: The Band ‘Ria John Bob’
For the first time Sam Smith Diva Boy exclusive package
– a collectors’ dream –
is available and includes
A 90-minute Documentary with Sam centre stage throughout, performing and chatting about their life, loves, dreams, sexuality and their “incredible” story.
| Albums | Videos – Pop, Chat, Performance | Gallery |
“I’ve gone on an incredible, incredible journey it’s given me the ability to learn my art” Sam 2009
“I love Sam Smith Diva Boy, I’ve grown up with it and I’ve grown as a person with it” Sam 2009
“I want to be the first male ‘diva’. I don’t mean, attitude wise just have that aura, power, strength” Sam 2009
Buy ‘Sam Smith Diva Boy’ £19.95
SAM’S JOURNEY TO POP STARDOM
Sam was no ordinary boy; their journey to success began as soon as they could walk and talk. They had big dreams backed by resolute determination and fueled by self-belief and tenacity – with the full support of their parents. Sam didn’t know how they would achieve their dream, but their mind, body and soul focused on one goal/dream “I Want To Be A Star“ Sam 3 Oct 2007. However, Sam’s dream was not achievable because they didn’t have the tools to achieve it… no previous professional experience or personal/creative direction. Buy ‘Sam Smith Diva Boy’
‘When Sam Met Bob’ At 14 Sam had their eye on Musicals as a career and it was in a Sylvia Young Theatre School musicals’ class that Sam had his life defining meeting with Bob of ‘Ria John Bob’. Bob immediately saw Sam’s real potential and knew he should be in pop music where he could write and perform original songs. So, Bob introduced Sam and parents to his own ‘artist centric’ – label/management -Venus and Mars Music (V&M). V&M agreed with Bob’s views but, always aware of the danger of pushing young artists too soon, thought Sam was too young to sign; instead, they gave Sam studio time where they could learn recording technique and record songs of their choice … without signing a contract! Buy ‘Sam Smith‘
Sam loved every minute of it, and, after months of getting to know Sam and constant lobbying of V&M by their parents, V&M signed Sam.
V&M took Sam on a 3 year development programme; their dreams were nurtured, their arts and skills uncovered and developed, and then promoted them to all their first professional successes including Chart success.
After 3 years Sam emerged like a butterfly from a cocoon as an informed person and a conceptual artist as a burgeoning pop star and with his first self-penned album (unfinished but demoed)
Sam was then promoted to all their first professional successes including chart success.
FYI Sam Smith Diva Boy is about the period when Sam was an aspiring young artist and came to V&M Music for development. At that time Sam was a great young guy, a good listener and learner, determined to be a star and concerned about equality for all. This is the inspiring true story of Sam’s rise to stardom, following three transformative years with their first label Venus & Mars Music.
“We took Sam to the edge of his awesome career and gave him the canvas on which he could, and did, paint the landscape of his future” Betty Kane Director V&M 2010.
FYI Sam’s first dance album …. ‘Sam Smith The Lost Tapes Remixed‘ was released by Kosmo Records (Germany) – check your preferred music store.
Sam’s story is taken from step by step time-lined multi-media records of Sam’s journey with V&M … No Memories No Hearsay Just History.
90 Minute Documentary
Tells how where when it all started for award-winning global popstar Sam Smith and how Sam was enabled to be a popstar. Unique is a much-overused word but, in this case, perfect to describe this extraordinary story. This is the only true account of Sam’s incredible journey to pop stardom … the best kept secret in the music business. “I’ve gone on an incredible, incredible journey” Sam 2009.
‘Sam Smith Their Incredible Journey’ REVIEWS (extracts)
A Film that is fascinating and unprecedented …Sam Smith Their Incredible Journey is the unique and exclusive account of the discovery and formative years of a much-loved global superstar. We are now used to every stage of every youngster’s life being documented on video and social media so might expect every future celebrity to be trailing none too revealing baggage of their childhood selves, but this film is different. Not only has this material been long unavailable and never-before seen, but it captures the evolution of ambition into art, the process and sympathetic teamwork of nurturing a star into being, the recognition and blossoming of a true natural talent in a film that is fascinating and unprecedented. James Norton Buy ‘Sam Smith’
”In my opinion the documentary portrayed a relatable and human side of Sam Smith that I did not know about. Where before there was an amazing voice without a story, for the first time I saw the human behind the star. Seeing the humble and hardworking beginning of his career combined with the warmth and passion of everyone involved, has made me a fan. Rosane De Souza – independent viewer
This exceptional documentary about award-winning pop star Sam Smith is a clear and important story about what goes into discovering, nurturing, educating, developing, liberating and promoting an artist in the making.
Martin Fanning Windmill Lane Pictures
A beautiful documentary “Sensitively edited” (Bob Shennan BBC) from hours of step-by-step film, audio and video records of Sam on his journey to success. Prior to his current career Sam had a remarkable creative and successful journey with Venus and Mars Music (V&M) and it is all intentionally captured in this beautiful documentary. It could also be described as a master class in ‘How to Become a Global Pop Star’… inspiring, insightful and Sam’s truth, wrapped up in a touch of sweetness. This is a rare fulfilment of the criteria for a proper documentary. Vivienne Best
Buy ‘Sam Smith Diva Boy’ £19.95
From hundreds of songs, Sam chose ‘Ria John Bob‘ songs for their first album ‘Sam Smith Diva Boy’ of which Sam said…
“I love Sam Smith Diva Boy, I’ve grown up with it and I’ve grown as a person with it” Sam 2009.
Ria John Bob exclusive dream package
Experience the ultimate fan dream! The package is everything you could hope for from this musically entrenched trio.
Dive into their complete story in our groundbreaking DocuVideoBook that brings their journey to life.
Jam out to 7 unforgettable albums you’ll have on repeat,
Binge their sensational 6-part TV series
Don’t miss out on this package delivering a rare experience.
Book | Albums | TV Series | Pop, Chat, Live Videos | Gallery
A poignant human and memorable music business story about Ria John Bob’s journey through the music business, their music and their art. Their story gives a first-hand rare insight into the music business …“how it works and how it really is” .
It Also tells the story of how Sam was discovered by Bob in a musicals’ class (Sam had his eye on musicals as a career) and how Bob helped Sam on their journey to pop stardom.
So, if you’ve ever wondered what life is like inside the music business your curiosity will be satisfied by the story of Ria John Bob. Buy ‘Ria John Bob‘
As with all good stories, this one has a stimulating cast of characters. So, let’s introduce the protagonists.
As Performers they are:
Ria John Bob and … Victoria, JC, Will from when they morphed into ‘super delta three’ for their tv series ‘super delta three tv’.
Band Names
Ria John Bob | Super Delta Three | Lovatux | January Land | a brief sojourn with Ziggy and Babyvader.
As Songwriters: Hemmings, Conlon, Pearce.
“Ria John Bob is a band of conviction and commitment, evidenced by their long-term working relationships, their vast and beautiful music and art catalogues. Their unique story tells of a creative panoply, nurturing, shielding and developing talent. It shows that with belief, patience, respect, a little bit of luck and trust in spirit and time, creation can be achieved with all of the dignity and none of the destruction.”
Derrick Moore – V&M Creative Director
Ria John Bob’s journey is filled with all the magic of the music business. They have recorded several albums, toured extensively and had their own six-part tv series – ‘super delta three tv’. They were signed by major labels – East West-Warners, Mercury and Intercord-EMI.
VIP treatment laid on for signed artists by those major labels is exciting and usual. Culling of artists by the same labels is also usual … they sign and drop artists on a whim!
“Taken from detailed diaries, audio and filmed records from the very beginning, it shows how those involved took that extra step, developing an environment that allows no limitations and how integrity, mutual respect and time allow nothing but possibility.” Derrick Moore – V&M Creative Director
“This is not a sob story; it’s about highs and lows, ducking and diving to survive. Ultimately a story of creative endurance, to which many people will relate, and unveils what is hidden behind the mask of people’s perception of what making it in the music business is about.” Ria
This multi-media DocuVideoBook, the new imprint from ‘My Life On A Stick’, allows us to share every part of Ria John Bob’s eclectic journey through the music business in text, sound and vision. Buy Ria John Bob
Sam had only one dream which they were determined to achieve …“I want to be a Star” Sam 2007, but did not have the tools to achieve it as their only experience was singing in competitions and singing cover songs; and they had no personal or creative direction and no original material.
Also at that time, Sam was planning to make Musicals their future career. But Bob immediately saw the real potential in Sam’s voice and knew they should be in pop music where they could write and perform original songs. So, Bob introduced Sam and parents to his own “artist-centric” label management – Venus and Mars Music (V&M) / Dee O’Reilly Management.
However, although V&M agreed with Bob’s assessment of Sam’s voice and their real potential they, being a label aware of the dangers of young artists being thrown into the business too soon, thought Sam was too young to sign. So, instead, they arranged Studio time for Sam where they could learn recording technique and record songs of their choice. Sam loved every minute of that and recorded the songs they chose and all without signing a contract!
However, Sam’s parents wanted Sam signed to V&M (Dee O’Reilly & John O’Reilly) so they consistently lobbied John and Dee for months until they agreed to sign Sam. Sam was 15½ when V&M signed them under the guardianship of their parents and with the agreement that they would always accompany Sam; Sam’s parents agreed to that but also made it a condition that John and Dee would be Sam’s dedicated team.
The songs Sam chose were songs written by Ria John Bob; those songs are on Sam’s first album ‘Sam Smith Diva Boy’’ of which Sam said … “I love Sam Smith Diva Boy I have grown up with it and I have grown as a person with it”. Sam July 2009.
Bob was part of Sam’s development over their 3-year journey with V&M. At 18½, Sam emerged from that journey like a butterfly from a cocoon as an informed person, conceptual artist and burgeoning pop star. “I’m feeling found” Sam 2009.
“V&M took Sam to the edge of his awesome career and gave him the canvas on which he could, and did, paint the landscape of his future.”
Betty Kane (RIP) Director V&M 2010
Sam was a listener and learner and emerged from V&M’s journey like :-
a butterfly from a cocoon, as an informed person, conceptual music artist and burgeoning pop star… ready to meet their destiny.
To quote Sam from their Documentary “Sam Smith Their Incredible Journey” speaking about his debut album ‘Sam Smith Diva Boy’…”I’ve gone on an incredible incredible journey with the first album, it taught me my art”. Sam July 2009
