User:Roseanna Viafranco/Steven Alan O'Dell

Steven Alan ODell

Steven Alan "Steve" O'Dell. (born October 18, 1961) is an American TV Producer, World Traveler, Musician and Concert Promoter. He is a "big project" man who has enjoyed much success in producing mainstream videos, televisión episodes and is essentially known for his "Greatest Places on Earth" TV series.

Steve O'Dell began his career (March 1983 - October 1986) in music as a concert promoter financed by Chip Davidow Pres. Concert Arts Inc. where he hired some of the biggest stars in country music, "Steve Earl and the Dukes", "Hank Williams Jr.", "Reba McIntire", "Jason Aldean" and "Georgia Satellites". Steve not only coordinated entire concerts but was also responsible for backstage details, ticket sales, radio promotion, TV ads and accommodating talents with after-parties and hotel PR. Later Chip Davidow, his boss and financier, bought the controlling interest in the biggest show palace east of the Mississippi named the Ole Barn Saloon (seating capacity 2,500). Located in the popular snow skiing part of West Virginia, the Ole Barn Saloon, featured two star attractions per week and a Nashville house band. Steve handled bookings, details of show time and assisted in the scheduling of 75 employees. In the 90s, Steve achieved modest fame as the lead Singer for the rock and roll band, Tremor for eight and a half years. In 1999, his popularity increased dramatically when he produced and hosted his first television show "Adventures in East Tennessee" debuting with a 3.6 market share. The show ran for nearly four seasons (1999–2004) in 10 cities and was the first non syndicated television show on WB Network, CBS and Fox to receive Nelsons ratings in the history of American television. In the year 2004, Steve turned his interest from broadcast television to travel television, and created The Good Life TV show where he traveled the world producing films of exotic vacation destinations."The Good Life" featured destinations like Kenya Africa, Tanzania Africa, the Grand Bahamas, St. Lucia, Caymen Islands, Jamaica, Acapulo Mexico and Cozumel MX. Because of his life long love for music, Steve joined forces with seasoned sound engineer/record producer, Matt Lincoln and together they formed the show Undiscovered Bands on TV where they would feature unsigned bands and shared positive criticism about participating acts. They showcased talent and bands on three FOX networks in Tennessee and ran the show for one season. In 2006, Steve took some time off to unwind and left his studio to film his first production of Costa Rica. It was then, his Greatest Places on Earth TV mini series concept fell into play and he began the enormous task of creating the largest data base of Central American videos. Since (2006 to the present), Steve O'Dell has been dedicated to making the people of the world aware of the actual state of Central America, by dispelling the negative myths that have being publicized by the American media. His plan to flood the internet with positive videos has made a difference. As well, he provides valueable marketing tools to tourism related entities and works directly with the tourism ministries of each country.

Family and early life
Steven Alan O'Dell was born in Summersville, West Virginia. His father was a salesman, named Dayton Luther O'Dell Jr.(deceased) and his mother was a housewife/LPN, Ruth Marie Starcher. He is of Irish and English ancestry. The surname "O'Dell" is of English orgin, meaning " of the dell." He is the grandson of Dayton Luther O'Dell Sr. (deceased) founder of the boom town Quinwood, West Virginia and postmaster for 35 years. His grandmother Carrie Smith O'Dell (deceased) was a school teacher at Creighton School in Quinwood, West Virginia for 35 years and held many leadership positions during her life including being a delegate to the Silver-haired Legislature of the State of West Virginia. His Grandparents on his mothers side were Kenneth and Dorothy Starcher, early settlers of the area existing through work in the coal mining industry.Steve spent most of his early life exploring the Appalachian mountain which included hiking 700 miles of the Appalachian Trail and exploring over 100 wild caves. Later in his youth, Steve hitch-hiked over 40 thousand miles, even circling the entire United States non-stop in 1980. It was during his many travels, just him, his musical instrument and the echo of his voice in the mountains, Steve discovered his musical talent. Steve O'Dell went to Mercer County Vocational Technical School where he earned an Associate's degree, Forestry/Orn. Hort (1976 - 1979) and in 1979 O'Dell scored so high on the ASFAB test, that the U.S. Navy offered him a compelling deal to join and study computer repair. During O'Dells time in the Navy, he was asked to audition for the Navy Drum and Bugle Corps which he did and was accepted. Steve performed in graduations and ceremonies and was given three trumpet solos. In 1982 Steve married a professional country back-up singer (*)(known for her perfect pitch). , who sang back-up for John Anderson and was featured regularly at the Blue Bird Cafe in Nashville. In 1985, he graduated from Concord College and Bluefield State with a Bachelor's degree in Communications Arts and Broadcasting. In the early 90s, Steve decided to move to Gatlinburg, Tennessee where he performed as a solo acts at the Talk of the Town, Chuggies and Ober Gatlinburg full time. He was quickly noticed by the rock and roll band; Tremor, who immediately hired him as their lead singer. A year later, Steve created his first child, Angelique Nicole O'Dell and two years later, his son, Chord Seth O'Dell was given birth by his second wife (*).The band stayed together for 9 years,although, his marriage with his second wife ended with Steve gaining costody of his two children. With his new family and their futures in mind, Steve decided to cut his hair and get a real job. It didn't take long for him to figure out that working for some else wasn't his style, so Steve began his transformation towards more entrepreneurial pursuits. When Steves' children were very young, his childrens mother, through legal channels, had both his children briefly taken from him. During this time of personal anguish, Steve decided to throw himself into the most monumental project that he could think of, he decided to create a television show. Quote unquote, He said, " I had this idea to make a television show that takes you to all the cool places to go in East Tennessee." And Adventures in East Tennessee television show was born. In 2004, Steve remarried again, to a multi millionaire real estate mogul and set up shop in their 39,000 square ft. antebellum mansion. It was then Steve began producing travel television and The Good Life TV show was produced. Steve attributes part of his success to that ex-wifes start up capitol. After filming most of the archipeligo, Steve clearly saw  the opportunity in foreign markets. He then, took his first big step outward into the jungles of Costa Rica. Quote unquote, "filming foreign countries allowed me to take my need for exploration to the next level." His next country was Belize where he found a country in a state of tourism infancy, hungry for publicity, Steve completed 4 successful productions in Belize. In 2007, Steve decided to move to Belize and used it as his home base while he filmed the other surrounding countries. It was in Belize where Steve met his Belizean wife, Rosanna Viafranco O'Dell. They got married on December 5, 2008 and lived in Belize together for 4 years producing "Greatest Places on Earth...the Belize Episodes"and "The Belize Good News Broadcast." The show ran for 3 years and was very successful. Steve and Rosanna have been inseparable since then and have together filmed the Yucatan of Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, and presently, Nicaragua. While filming the C-4 countries (Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador and Nicaragua), Steve decided to be closer to his project and moved to Antigua, Guatemala where he and Rosanna now reside. Their home in Belize is for visiting Rosanna's family and close friends, while the home in Guatemala is used as Steve's editing suite.

Career and accomplishments
Steve O'Dells career and passion for big projects has always brought him much aclaim. By 2014, his drive to over-achieve in his field had taken him to 18 countries and producing nearly 2000 videos, reaching over 20 million people all over the world. His shows can be seen in four countries which includes the United States, Belize, Guatemala and Honduras. Among his outstanding pages of credentials, Steve enjoyed working with Bahama Ministry of Tourism and Film Commissioner, "Donna M. Mackey" shooting "B" roll for Disneys, Pirates of the Caribbean 1 & 2, to solicit New Line Cinema. During which time he was featured on L.A.'s most prestigious Production Update Magazine: P3 Update for being one of the most talked about producers filming on location in the Caribbean. His show ranked so highly and was equally effective that he was chosen favorably by Carnival Criuse Lines on annual contract. In 2006, Steve O'Dell was highly recommended and contracted by well known Madison Avenue New York Ad Agency: Pope, Fleiss and Clarke to film and represent the countries of St. Lucia and Belize. He has also worked with the Nicaraguan Tourism Board and one of the top independent public relations agencies in L. A., Murphy O'Brien for his filming of Nicaragua. In 2013, O'Dell found pride working with (IHT)Instituto Hondureno de Tourismo by producing a well encompassing TV show which was soon after featured on their national tourism website. Steve O'Dells level of noteriety went over the top when he was hired on an annual contract to represent the top ten water park and theme park in the world, IRTRA in Rehtaluheu, Guatemala through their ad agency, D4 McCann Erickson. Steve has also challenged his skills by producing industry films such as: Belize Natural Energy, representing the petroleum industry in Belize and the Hydro Maya Hydro-Electric Project in Belize with (founders of the project), Mark Tippitts and Jeff Hanson. Steve O'Dell gained immediate web recognition when he compiled video from 2 national productions of Belize and created an overview sales tool "Why Belize 1 & 2" for realtor, radio host, and owner of Rainforest Realty, Macarena Rose. During his El Salvador production in 2012 with Pequenos Hotels de El Salvador, Steve was fortunate enough to have filmed Salvadorian filmmaker and actor, Alejandro Cotto and his personal museum. Steve O'Dell also played a supporting role in Belize's political elections for 2 terms by producing informative endorsement films for the United Democratic Party and its leaders, including their Prime Minister, Oliver Dean Barrow.

Humanitarian endeavors
Steve O'Dell has been known to be a very frugal man, but when it comes to charity, Steve has shown much sincerity. He has honestly stated that every charitable organization that he has ever represented on his shows have either received a free film or free advertisement to solicit funds. Steve has deeply committed his work to several charitable and philanthropic organizations. Living in Central America gave him many opportunities to reach out to the less fortunate ones such as the Kidney Association of Belize and Belize Association for Renal Therapy (BART) where he produced a personal video for his friend and dialysis patient, Jose  Enrique Cruz (deceased) who spent most of his life lobbying for better healthcare in Belize. O'Dell also covered Foreign Medical Missions Team sent from the U.S. to help the people of Cristo Rey Village of Belize. During Christmas of 2012, Steve met with Maureen A. Casey founder of Los Gozosos Orphanage (for special children) in Chimaltenango, Guatemala and produced a heart warming overview film of the orphanage and aired it on his television show, "Amazing Guatemala" during the Christmas season. Steve aslo filmed American students through ProBelize Organization building domes for future children's home at Rainbow Belize Project in Georgeville Village in the Cayo District of Belize. Steve also filmed part 1, 2 and 3 of the "Ridge to Reef" conservation program in Belize sponsored by APAMO, Olympics committee, and STACA (Billy Barquedier National Park) and included their awards ceremony for his television show, "Belize Good News Broadcast." While filming the endorsement of several government officials in Belize, Steve covered "Minister Rene Montero" receiving donations given under the "Venezuelan grant" for the development of homes for the needy and farming equipment for the "Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries". He also filmed "Minister Elvin Penner" during his campaign giving out building materials to his constituency donated by Venezuela. Steve O'Dell has brought many people and countries his gift of kindness through the beauty of television, showing the world what he sees through the eyes of his cameras.