Daniel Rodriguez Media Archives

2001 media                                                             Official website

Sept 2001 CNN.com U.S. 'Prayer for America' report
Oct 2001 Placido Domingo to Teach Tenor Cop
Dec 2001 CNN Live Today Interview by Bill Hemmer "Singing Cop"
Dec 2001 That Moving Voice Belongs to His Son
Dec 2001 Singing Cop Gives Mary Queen Of Heaven Parishioners A Treat
Dec 2001 Daniel sings at Broadway tree lighting
Dec 2001 Singing cop soothed a city, found new fame
Dec 2001 Voice of Authority Singing cop eyes full-time music career
Dec 2001 N.Y.C.'s answer to Pavarotti: a singing cop
Dec 2001 Opera singing policeman becomes toast of New York

September, 23 2001 CNN.com U.S. 'Prayer for America' report

NEW YORK (CNN) -- A service in honor of the missing and dead from the September 11 deadly terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center is planned for Sunday afternoon at Yankee Stadium, with prayers being offered from representatives of a wide variety of faiths.

 

Placido Domingo to Teach Tenor Cop
Oct 23, 2001 Bill Hutchinson, New York Daily News

City cop Daniel Rodriguez, the crime-busting tenor who has serenaded packed houses at Yankee Stadium with patriotic songs, has caught the ear of opera great Placido Domingo, Mayor Giuliani said last night.
"Danny is going to get to study with Placido Domingo in a couple of weeks,"said Giuliani, who hugged Rodriguez last night after the cop sang "God Bless America" during the seventh-inning stretch of the Yankee-Mariners playoff game.
"Placido heard him sing, and he's going to bring him down to Washington," Giuliani said.
Rodriguez, who works at the Manhattan South Precinct, has been a mainstay at the Stadium since the Sept. 11 attacks.
This month, he received a long ovation when he opened Carnegie Hall's 111th season with a stirring performance.

CNN LIVE TODAY Interview by Bill Hemmer Interview of Daniel Rodriguez,
"Singing Cop" Aired December 14, 2001 - 10:24 ET

BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: You may recognize this voice, heard right here.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DANIEL RODRIGUEZ, POLICE OFFICER, NEW YORK POLICE DEPARTMENT
(singing): -- to the prairies, to the oceans, white with foam, God bless America, my home, sweet home --
(END VIDEO CLIP)

HEMMER: Some great pipes. Daniel Rodriguez, a New York City police officer. His voice has become a powerful symbol of strength and hope for New Yorkers, and now the "Singing Cop," as he is called, has a new CD and his rendition of "God Bless America" is out, one of the two tunes on there. Daniel Rodriguez is live with us from New York City. Officer, good morning to you.

RODRIGUEZ: Good morning.

HEMMER: Congratulations. I've seen you everywhere. World Series, you've got a recording contract, you got a CD. How does it feel to be a singing symbol for so many New Yorkers?

RODRIGUEZ: It feels great to be able to do something that helps the healing process and helps comfort those who have had losses.

HEMMER: What kind of reaction have you gotten?

RODRIGUEZ: Everything very, very positive. Families of those who I've done memorial services for have come to me, and written me -- wrote letters to me about that they've gotten some comfort from my singing at the memorial masses.

HEMMER: What have your fellow officers told you, Daniel?

RODRIGUEZ: Well, I've gotten a lot of respect. In the beginning, I got a lot of razing from the guys, but I think now they've realized that, you know, I'm not just -- I've been singing all my life, so it's something that I take very, very seriously, and they know that what I'm doing, I do as a calling, more than just to sing.

HEMMER: We'd be remiss if we didn't point out the proceeds from the sales of your CD go where, Daniel?

RODRIGUEZ: To the Twin Towers Fund. All proceeds go to the Twin Towers Fund.

HEMMER: How does it make you feel to contribute like that?

RODRIGUEZ: Feels great to be a part of something so wonderful. The city needs a lot of healing, and a lot of help and I'm a small cog in the big machine, but I'm doing my part.

HEMMER: You've come front and center with a lot of big names, too, including the mayor. He does an introduction on your CD. We shall listen to that, quickly, here.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
RUDOLPH GIULIANI, MAYOR OF NEW YORK CITY: While the storm clouds gather, far across the sea, let us swear allegiance to a land that's free. Let us all be grateful, for a land so fair, as we raise our voices in a solemn prayer. (END VIDEO CLIP)

HEMMER: The mayor, reciting the words of Irving Berlin. You chose two songs, tell us why.

RODRIGUEZ: Well, the "God Bless America," I thought, was -- has become an anthem for 9-11, and, like it says in the description, it's a prayer. After 9-11, it took that meaning. The second song was "We Will Go On." That was written by Joe Mardin. And, also, a beautiful, beautiful song that kind of depicts what we're going through, and how we need to have faith, and need to move forward.

HEMMER: On a lighter note, I heard you met Placido Domingo and asked him for an audition. Is that true?

RODRIGUEZ: Yes. 

HEMMER: What did he say?

RODRIGUEZ: I auditioned for Placido Domingo at the Metropolitan Opera, and he has invited me to come to Washington to study with the Washington Opera Company and himself.

HEMMER: Really? What was his review? What did he say about your voice?

RODRIGUEZ: He said I had a great voice. There were a couple of things that he'd like to see improved, but he said, overall, I had a wonderful instrument and thinks that he can do something with me in the opera realm.

HEMMER: Hey, Daniel, World Series, Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree lighting, Tony Bennett, a lot more. Describe to me what this experience has been like for you.

RODRIGUEZ: Its been a great ride. It has been -- it has been wonderful. I've had dreams that have come true for me,over and over again. Singing at Yankee Stadium was a dream that I had as a child. Singing at Carnegie Hall was a dream I had when I started to singing -- when I started to learn to sing music. Meeting Placido Domingo, I mean dream after dream has come true for me. I feel like I'm living a fantasy. I just count my blessings and thank God that I've been given the gift to share with everyone, and pray that I can go on doing that as long as I possibly can.

HEMMER: Hey, listen, great work. Congratulations to you again, and thanks for putting the smile on the faces of so many. Do you mind being called the "Singing Cop," by the way?

RODRIGUEZ: Not at all. I represent the greatest police force in the world, and the "Singing Cop" is a great title. I'm very proud of it.

HEMMER: I salute you. Happy holidays.

RODRIGUEZ: Thank you.

HEMMER: Daniel Rodriguez, live from New York.

RODRIGUEZ: God bless.

HEMMER: Okay, thank you.

http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0112/14/lt.04.html



That Moving Voice Belongs to His Son
By Monique Fields, December 25, 2001

Out of the sadness of Sept. 11 has emerged the talent of a New York City police officer who has family in Clearwater.
By Monique Fields, December 25, 2001

The pride Jose Rodriguez feels for his son Daniel, the now-famous singing cop from New York, has been tempered by sorrow about the very event that catapulted Daniel to fame: the attacks on the World Trade Center.

During a November visit to New York, Jose Rodriguez looked at the gaping hole where the twin towers once stood and felt an enormous sense of sadness. He was angry that the city had been assaulted by terrorists, that America had let its guard down.

But no matter how grim, the events of Sept. 11 introduced his son's voice to the world and buoyed his musical career.

"God works in mysterious ways," said Jose Rodriguez, a Clearwater resident who is retired from New York City Transit. "Sometimes in terrible tragedies like this, somebody brings hope and joy to the world that needs it so much right now."

Daniel Rodriguez is that somebody.

"I think after Sept. 11, the call has come; and there's a need to use it even more," the younger Rodriguez said last week by telephone as he hurried to a gig as a singing Santa at Harlem Hospital Center.

Since the attacks, his moving renditions of God Bless America and the national anthem have been heard by millions. He has appeared on Today and Good Morning America and been featured in countless newspaper articles. On Dec. 11 he released a CD, and he has signed a contract for an album. In March he will study with tenor Placido Domingo.

Two or three times a year, Daniel Rodriguez visits Florida. During his last trip to the Tampa area in February, he participated in an open-mic event at an Irish pub in Ybor City and belted out tunes at Palermo's in Palm Harbor.

He received standing ovations after every song on a Saturday night, said Tony Alatis, a friend of Jose Rodriguez. He was so good he was invited back on Sunday night.

"When I heard the voice, I knew the kid was a pro," said Alatis, a former television and film producer.

When asked if he would perform in Clearwater again, Daniel Rodriguez replied: "We can work something out."

The elder Rodriguez has told strangers at the grocery store the singing cop is his son. An autographed CD, formal police officer photo and candid shot of Daniel Rodriguez with television host Regis Philbin sit on his entertainment center. And neighbors recently posted a flier alerting residents at his condominium of his famous connection.

Daniel Rodriguez's parents realized early on that he had a knack for singing. At the tender age of 12, he appeared in Oklahoma, his first musical. His grandfather was a tenor, and so is his father.

Last week Jose Rodriguez sang Jurame, or "Swear to Me," in his Clearwater condominium.

"Todos dicen que es mentira," he started in a voice a smooth as icing on a cake, "que te quiero porque nunca me han visto enamorado." In English, the song goes: "Everybody says it's a lie that I love you because they have never seen me in love."

Jose Rodriguez, 60, doesn't sing much these days. But when he was younger, he often sang at what he calls "social clubs."

Friends weren't surprised by the talent Daniel Rodriguez has displayed during the past three months. In fact, they say he has worked hard for years and deserves all of the attention he has received.

"The beautiful part of it is he wants to (be famous)," said Frank Nieves of Clearwater, who has known the younger Rodriguez since he was a teenager. "But if he doesn't make it, it's okay."

Daniel Rodriguez's stepmother agreed: "He has a lot of passion," said Nilda Rodriguez. "He has a lot of wisdom and is a very spiritual man."

Singing Cop Gives Mary Queen Of Heaven Parishioners A Treat
By Marsha Sereno, Dec 2001


Residents of Mill Basin recently experienced the thrill of a Broadway production last Saturday without ever having to leave the neighborhood in a performance called "Christmas Magic."
A group of professional musicians, including operatic tenor Police Officer Daniel Rodriguez, who makeup an ensemble called "Broadway Magic," delighted a standing-room-only audience at Mary Queen of Heaven Church with selections of Christmas music, in addition to songs from popular operas and operettas.
Founded years ago by Rodriguez, a seven-year NYPD veteran, "Broadway Magic" presents popular old and new selections from Broadway musicals, as well as operettas, sacred music and opera. Most of the ensembles work is for fundraising purposes.
Rodriguez and his partner, Jorge Novoa, credit their ability to bring "Broadway Magic" to many people who support them as well as the interest of friends and organizations such as the community mayors.
Rodriguez, who has been singing since he was 12, states that "Broadway magic" was his dream to bring music of a lost era to people all over the world.
Saturday's performance, which had been planned prior to September 11th, was dedicated to the memory of the victims of the September 11th terrorist attacks. A portion of the proceeds from the event will benefit the Twin Towers Fund.
Rodriguez' talent has earned him great acclaim nationwide. He also shared some exciting personal news with the crowd - he will begin studying opera with famed tenor Placido Domingo next March.

Singing cop soothed a city, found new fame
Amanda Barrett, December 9, 2001


Police Officer Daniel Rodriguez took center stage - literally - in helping to comfort New York in the aftermath of the World Trade Center attacks.
His melodious rendition of "God Bless America" helped soothe victims' families at the Sept. 23 Yankee Stadium prayer service. It warmed hearts at World Series' games and added patriotic spirit to the tree lighting at Rockefeller Center and numerous other public events.
Rodriguez's newfound fame has opened doors for him, including television appearances and a recording contract. His first compact disc, with the officer singing "God Bless America" and "We Will Go On," comes out Tuesday. All proceeds will benefit the Twin Towers Fund, which was set up by Mayor Rudolph Giuliani to assist families of uniformed victims of the Trade Center attacks. A full, debut album will follow in January.
"The way I look at it," a grateful Rodriguez said, "from great tragedies come great blessings."
Giuliani, who voices an introduction on the CD being released this week, was effusive in his praise of Rodriguez, whom he called a "good friend."
"One of my great passions is opera, and even more than that, the tenor voice," Giuliani said yesterday. "And I love Danny. He's a wonderful human being, a great police officer. A very dedicated police officer, who happens to have been blessed by God with an absolutely incredible tenor voice."
Rodriguez, 37, who is designated one of the National Anthem singers in the New York City Police Department's ceremonial division and performs in hundreds of department events each year, had been building a career in music before the disaster.
After the September prayer service, he said, "It just kind of snowballed. People enjoyed what I was doing and got some sense of comfort or sense of national pride when they heard me. And my career went from moving upwards slowly to skyrocketing."
The Brooklyn-born father of two made his singing debut in theater arts class.
"My first role was Judge Frye in 'Oklahoma,'" he recalled. "I was this skinny little 12-year-old kid in this small T-shirt that I could hardly fill out singing, 'Poor Judd is daid. Oh, Poor Judd is daid.' It was pitiful."
His assessment of that particular performance notwithstanding, Rodriguez later was asked to join the American Youth Repertory in Manhattan, where he worked on acting and operatic singing. That led to a host of concerts, including a performance at Carnegie Hall's Weill Recital Hall when he was 17.
Rodriguez said his father, while supportive of his musical endeavors, pushed him to find a more steady income. So Rodriguez went to work for the post office, where he stayed for six years. But he continued to sing at school plays, at American Legion halls, anywhere he could.
"In my job, I was always singing, so people always knew me as a singer wherever I went, because I couldn't shut up," he said.
When he became a police officer about seven years ago, Rodriguez thought he would shelve his ardent musical pursuits.
"It's hard and you get tired of the almosts," he said.
Then, Rodriguez sang the National Anthem at his Police Academy class' graduation and became one of the department's featured singers.
In addition to the forthcoming recordings, Rodriguez's future also holds the possibility of coaching from an opera star.
"I know that he's going to be studying under Placido Domingo in the spring," Giuliani said. "And that should develop his voice even more. Danny is both a great singer and a great human being, and I'm very happy to see that he's going to have success."
Rodriguez said he is happy to help the city recover however he can.
"If I can spread a little bit of comfort and a little bit of happiness ...I am just an instrument of what I was blessed with," he said. "I give all the credit to God."

Voice of Authority:
Singing cop Danny Rodriguez eyes full-time music career
12-11-2001
Officer.com/


Daniel Rodriguez, whose operatic renditions of "God Bless America" have made him a national symbol of the strong and defiant New York police officer, says that if his singing career takes off, he may have no choice but to leave the force.
He doesn't want to, Rodriguez says. But singing has been his dream for more than 25 years and, at 37, he couldn't pass up his best chance to go for it.
Arresting Voice
NYPD Officer Daniel Rodriguez' renditions of 'God Bless America' ... In other words, the best job he has ever wanted could force him to give up the best job he has ever had.
Rodriguez was a street cop - he started in the 65th St. station in Bay Ridge- singing in his off hours until police brass were tipped to his voice. He has been a "singing cop" for years, part of the ceremonial unit that performs at department functions, parades, speeches, services, etc.
But since Sept. 11, the whole country has heard him.
He has sung "God Bless America" and other patriotic songs at almost every major event and occasion since then at city ceremonies, at the Macy's parade, at the Rockefeller Center tree lighting, on the Imus show, on the "Today" show, on David Letterman's show, at a World Series game and at far too many memorial services for fellow uniformed officers killed that day.
Uniformly Supportive
"I never turn down a request to sing at a funeral or memorial service for a fellow uniformed officer," he says. "I never will."
This tireless singing has made him a favorite with both regular people who see his powerful voice as a healing and uniting force and Mayor Giuliani.
When Giuliani met Rodriguez, after a post-Sept. 11 rendition of "God Bless America," the mayor said, "You should be singing at the Met."
Giuliani, who is a major opera fan, arranged for Rodriguez to meet Placido Domingo, which Rodriguez says was the biggest thrill of his life.
That meeting led to an audition, and Rodriguez will be studying early next year at the Washington Opera, where Domingo is artistic director.
Meanwhile, Rodriguez also caught the ear of Manhattan Records, which signed him to a contract and no surprise, arranged for "God Bless America" to be the first single.
That recording will be released today. It contains a spoken introduction by Giuliani, who rarely misses a chance to talk about how much Rodriguez's music has helped heal the city. All proceeds are earmarked for the Twin Towers Fund.
The full CD is set to come out in February, at which point Rodriguez may have to make hard career decisions.
Not Just a Job
"I want to stay a police officer for as long as I can," he says. "I took this job because it was a good opportunity - a way to put bread on the table and pay the bills - and it turned out to be the best move I've made.
"People joke that police work is 95% boredom and 5% fear, but what I like about it is that every day is different. You never know if you're going to be stopping a robbery or helping rescue somebody or what you'll be doing. It's not the repetitiveness of a 9-to-5 job."
Rodriguez was at City Hall when the twin towers were hit. He came back to work at Ground Zero in the weeks after, leaving periodically to sing at memorial services.
"It's been very emotional," he says of the last three months. "But also very rewarding and meaningful." He mentions singing at Yankee Stadium as particularly fulfilling.
His only problem is time. A lot of days, he says matter-of-factly, he barely has time to change clothes between appearances.
"The Police Department has been extremely supportive of what I've been doing," he says. "They've given me the time I need and I don't want to leave.
"But music is my passion. I've always dreamed about a career as a singer. If I had the opportunity to do that, it would be very hard to turn down."
Born in Brooklyn, Rodriguez started singing at 12. He has taken voice lessons for years and his inspiration was Mario Lanza.
"Technically, he may not have been the best singer," says Rodriguez. "But he had such phenomenal passion. It was when I heard him sing that I decided to become a singer myself."
Despite his fondness for opera, Rodriguez takes another direction on his debut album, closer to Broadway.
"I chose songs that mean something to me and that I think will be uplifting to other people," he says, mentioning "Bring Him Home" from "Les Miserables" and "This Is the Moment" from "Jekyll and Hyde."
He also likes John Denver. "I don't perform his songs in public," he says. "It's more a private thing. But his songs had a sense of drama to them. They went somewhere, they took you on a little trip. I like my music to do that.
"I think life takes you up and down. Just when you think things will never get better, they do. Sometimes when you think you cannot be any happier, you are. You take it all and for me, all of it goes into my music."
Badge of Honor
Rodriguez says he's in no hurry to make decisions on his future. But even if he pursues music, he says that won't diminish his pride in being a police officer.
"There used to be a time when police officers, or firefighters, were respected by everybody. Then we went into a time when they were put in a bad light, because of different things that happened.
"Now, after 9/11, I think it's back to the way it used to be. People realize we're servants of the people, and that we can be lifesavers, too. That was the worst day this city ever had, but it also united the city as never before."



N.Y.C.'s answer to Pavarotti: a singing cop.
Policeman juggles desk job with auditions for the Met

December 2001
Ron Scherer, Staff writer of The Christian Science Monitor

If Verdi were to write a new opera, it might run like this:  A young man loves to sing, but at first he doesn't succeed. Then he joins the police, where he sings the national anthem.  Thanks to his great voice and the mayor's patronage, - he cuts a CD and gets to study with Placido Domingo.
 
But Verdi can put his pen down - it's true. Call it the Daniel Rodriguez story. Or, maybe "l'Aria del Singing Cop."
Over the past three months, life has moved faster than a Gilbert and Sullivan libretto for the Brooklyn-born-and- raised Mr. Rodriguez. The tenor has sung the "Star Spangled Banner" to open the World Series, performed for millions during the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade, and hit the high notes for NBC when the network lit the Christmas tree at  Rockefeller Center. Almost everyone from David Letterman to Larry King wants to hear him croon. On top of all that, he's still trying to do his job as a community-affairs officer in Midtown South.

"I'm not the kind of person who says no to many things," says Rodriguez, immediately after singing on the nationally syndicated Don Imus radio show. "They asked me about my future the other day, and I said, 'Five years from now, I'd like to get some sleep.' "

That won't come anytime soon. Tom Scott, producer of the Emmy's, heard Rodriguez sing at a rehearsal for the annual television awards. "I was so moved by his rehearsal - in ways I can't describe - that I asked him if he had a record deal or would like one," says Mr. Scott.

They agreed on a deal that sends the proceeds of the single to the Twin Towers Fund, to help the victims of the Sept. 11 attack. The CD was released last week, and Manhattan  Records/EMI will release a full album in February.

Life hasn't always been such a dream for Rodriguez. He grew  up in Brooklyn's Sunset Park section, the son of a transit authority employee, who also loved to sing. "My father was the life of the party," says Rodriguez. "He'd grab the guitar - he couldn't play - but he'd start singing."

The youth picked up on it right away. At age 13, he started taking voice lessons. For eight years, he was in a repertory company, and at 16 had his first recital at Carnegie Studios.

Police Academy...savvy career move
But at the same time, he had fallen in love and started a family. It meant that he had to start thinking about a different kind of C note - the type that comes with pensions and benefits. He worked as a short-order cook, a truck driver, and then in the Post Office. He kept singing whenever possible, but when he was about 30, he got a call to enter the Police Academy. "I thought it's about time to hang up my hat. I can always keep singing, but it doesn't look like I'll be a movie star, so I took the police job because it's great and every day is a new experience." When he entered the Police Academy, Rodriguez knew that the NYPD looked for a rookie to sing the national anthem at graduation. So he marched up to the lieutenant's office - a bold move for a recruit. Rodriguez snapped off salute and said he had arrived to audition.

"What makes you think you can sing the national anthem?" replied the officer. "I wouldn't be here if I couldn't," answered Rodriguez, who then sang it. "Boy, you're going
to be singing in Madison Square Garden," the lieutenant said after hearing the recruit.

The police department quickly assigned Rodriguez to its ceremonial unit, which sings the "Star Spangled Banner" at sporting events - some of them frequented by Mayor Rudolph  Giuliani, an opera fan from his youth.

"Some time ago, I decided Danny has tremendous talent," says the mayor. "He has a really beautiful tenor voice that is quite lyrical and very powerful."

The mayor quickly decided to become a benefactor of sorts, and picked up the phone and called the general manager of the Metropolitan Opera Company, Joseph Volpe, to suggest that they audition the policeman. As Rodriguez tells it, he answered Volpe's call by saying, "yeah, who? The Met?" But the audition didn't proceed as smoothly as a nervous Rodriguez hoped it would. Almost instantly, the Met's director of music administration, John Fisher, began interrupting Rodriguez's singing with instructions. The policeman "tanked the C."  "I sounded like Tarzan," he says of the failed audition.

Opportunity knocks ... again

A month later, the phone rang again. Opera star Placido Domingo was planning a fundraiser and had heard about the singing cop. Another audition was arranged, this time at the Lincoln Center. On the day of the audition, no one could figure out how to turn  on the lights. The studio was completely dark when the famous Spanish tenor walked in and heard Rodriguez singing,

"Be My Love," one of Domingo's favorite songs. The world-renowned opera star sat in the dark and listened. This time Rodriguez hit the right notes. Domingo suggested an aria next. "The Metropolitan audition came back in full force," recalls the policeman. "I was like: AAARRRGGHHH!"

Afterward there was a long silence. "I'm thinking, that's it buddy boy, pack your bags, it's back to the beat," recounts the policeman. Instead, Domingo complimented Rodriguez and invited him to Washington this March to be part of his Young Artists program. When Rodriguez asked if he wasn't  too old to be eligible, Domingo told him that he was going to make an exception in his case.

Rodriguez says it's not fame or fortune he's interested in. "My  ministry is to sing and to share with as many people as I possibly can. What comes from that is icing on the cake, but it's not my focus." But what about being a policeman? Rodriguez wants to  continue for as long as he can. But he says, "My first love is music. I've been singing since I was 12 years old, and it's taken me 25 years to become an overnight sensation."

Verdi, can you beat that for a story line?

Opera singing policeman becomes toast of New York
Araminta Wordsworth
Dec 2001

The amateur opera singer who joined the police force in order to pay the bills has become famous after singing patriotic anthems anywhere and everywhere since the terrorist attacks. Now he has his first CD out, has appeared on Late Night with David Letterman and Larry King Live, and can claim Placido Domingo as a fan.
It all started with his performance at a Yankee Stadium prayer service on Sept. 23. The seven-year New York Police Department veteran belted out God Bless America in front of a capacity crowd that included Rudolph Giuliani, New York's Mayor and a long-time fan, and the Spanish-born "super-tenor" Mr. Domingo.
When Mr. Domingo gave Mr. Rodriguez, 37 and also a tenor, a thumbs up after his performance, the younger man seized the moment and asked for an audition.
Now he's taking a three-month leave of absence from policing to study in the Young Artists program at the Washington Opera, where Mr. Domingo is artistic director.
"It's the last thing I thought would ever happen," said Mr. Rodriguez, still stunned by his good fortune.
"I had always dreamed of being in the young artist program, but there came a point when I realized I was too old. When this happened, it was like an old dream revisited."
"He has a great pair of vocal cords from nature," said Mr. Domingo.
Despite the sudden nature of his fame, success has not come overnight for Mr. Rodriguez.
As the singer himself put it, "My first love is music. I've been singing since I was 12 years old and it's taken me 25 years to become an overnight sensation."
Growing up in the Sunset Park section of Brooklyn, he was inspired by his father, a transit authority employee who loved to sing. Another inspiration was the great Italian tenor, Mario Lanza.
He studied voice coaches, including Miroslav Markoff of the Opera Company, and supported himself with transient jobs like short-order cook and truck driver, singing while he waited for fame to arrive.
"In my job, I was always singing, so people always knew me as a singer wherever I went, because I couldn't shut up," he said.
But when he started a family, he knew singing alone would not be enough to pay the bills.That's when he opted for police work, entering the Police Academy at the age of 30.
There he got the first of his lucky breaks: the New York Police Department was looking for a rookie to sing the national anthem at graduation, so he marched up to the lieutenant's office and announced he wanted to audition.
"What makes you think you can sing the national anthem?" he recalled the officer asking. "I wouldn't be here if I couldn't," replied Mr. Rodriguez, who then sang it.
"Boy, you're going to be singing in Madison Square Garden" was the amazed response.
The police department quickly assigned Mr. Rodriguez to its ceremonial unit, which performs The Star-Spangled Banner at sporting events, some of them attended by Mr. Giuliani, who is also an opera buff.
"Some time ago, I decided Danny has tremendous talent," said Mr. Giuliani. "He has a really beautiful tenor voice that is quite lyrical and very powerful."
The Mayor also provides an introduction to Mr. Rodriguez's single, God Bless America, which was released last week. The second track on the disc is We Will Go On, a pop-flavoured patriotic anthem specially written for the singer.
The proceeds will go to the Twin Towers Fund that benefits the family of uniformed officers who died in the terrorist attacks.
In the works is a full CD of Broadway show tunes scheduled to be released in February.
Off duty, Mr. Rodriguez has had a parallel life as a singer: he has performed light opera and contemporary show tunes. He is a mainstay of productions by Brooklyn-based Regina Opera and has appeared at Carnegie Hall.
He is also one of the organizers of Broadway Magic, an ensemble of singers and musicians who do benefit shows in New York -- they just wrapped up several weeks of Christmas concerts.
Now, like so many in New York, his life has been inexorably changed by the terrorist attacks.
"Watching the World Trade Center's twin towers collapse didn't make me sing any better," Mr. Rodriguez said.
"But the passion for the music has changed, and for what I represent -- the comfort and the feeling of national pride that I bring now more than I did before.

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