Artist:Daniel Rodriguez
Song:God Bless America
Album:The Spirit of America
Though opera singers have occasionally crossed over to pop, Daniel Rodriguez was different as his success was a result of post 9/11 patriotism. He has performed God Bless America many times. But I bet you can't name anything else he has recorded. He was born May 24, 1964 in Brooklyn, NY. His parents are from Puerto Rico. His father and grandfather were tenors. Rodriguez says watching Mario Lanza in the film The Great Caruso was a big influence. He studied at Juilliard and sang at Carnegie Hall at 16 years old. But after he got married and had a son at age 19, he put music on hold and eventually became a police officer. He was a designated anthem singer for the NYPD. He was on his way to work when the World Trade Center collapsed. As the NYPD's anthem singer, he appeared at events like The World Series and also on talk shows. After he sang God Bless America on the Prayer for America concert on Sept. 23, 2001, Placido Domingo had him come to his school in Washington to study. And Rodriguez signed a record deal with EMI's Manhattan label and legendary producer Arif Mardin. God Bless America was released as a single followed by the album The Spirit of America. Veteran sax player and session musician Tom Scott produced with Mardin. Scott was Rodriguez' musical director when he toured. The spoken word intro is by then New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani. He sings a couple of patriotic songs on the album. But mostly he sings standards like Danny Boy. The album topped the Billboard Hot 200. Rodriguez continued to appear at special events. He retired from the NYPD in 2004. After three albums on Manhattan, Rodriguez has recorded for his own label. He last recorded a Christmas album in 2014. He still tours and appears at patriotic events. But he has gravitated more towards Christian venues like The Crystal Cathedral and the Hour of Power TV show. He now lives in New Zealand with his wife and son. She's an opera singer who was born in New Zealand. He's doing OK but fame is fleeting. Here's Daniel Rodriguez performing God Bless America at the 2002 Memorial Day concert in Washington, DC.
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