2006 media Official website
He raised his voice and united a nation
By Mary Jane Park, Times staff writer
Published April 23, 2006
Is there anyone who doesn't know "America's tenor," Daniel Rodriguez?
The former New York City police officer who became nationally known
after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, now lives in Land
O'Lakes. On Thursday, he performed at Resurrection House's annual New
Beginnings breakfast, held in St. Petersburg's Coliseum.
With "a voice so beautiful it would be a pleasure to be arrested by
him,'' according to master of ceremonies Dick Crippen, Rodriguez
brought lumps to throats and tears to eyes with his performances. So
did his personal story.
"Most people thought I just woke up one day and started singing," he
said.
Rodriguez began his musical studies at age 12 and had his Carnegie
Hall debut at 17, he said. Two years later, he fathered a son and took
jobs to support his family, among them short order cook, catering
manager, taxi driver and cabinetmaker "for about a day and a half". He
worked at the post office, then joined the Police Department. There,
he delighted numerous audiences.
Through an introduction by former Mayor Rudolph Giuliani, he studied
with Placido Domingo for several years.
After the attacks on New York, he and other rescue workers helped
people leave the area now known as Ground Zero, "but we couldn't
leave,'' he said.
People brought them food, clothing, money and other necessities to
help them through those difficult times.
That was an apt segue into describing the mission of Resurrection
House, a faith-based organization that focuses on education and work
force development, said Ford Kyes, chairman of the Resurrection House
board of directors. Kyes, who is also the chief executive at St.
Anthony's Health Care, said the hospital has employed numerous
Resurrection House graduates.
Executive Director Cynthia Sinclair remembered the late Joe Chambers,
a St. Petersburg lawyer and generous Resurrection House donor who died
last year.
Members of his family - sons Joey, Jeff and Lance Chambers and
daughter Dr. Danelle Chambers - announced a $50,000 family
contribution toward a new building on the Resurrection House campus.
To be named the Joseph H. Chambers Center, it will house a new program
designed to teach middle and high school students about budgeting and
investments.
A number of women attending the event wore head wear in keeping with
the morning's theme, "A Place to Hang Your Hat."
Hennessy Construction Services was the presenting sponsor; other
major sponsors were Highway Safety Devices, the Hough Family
Foundation, DEX Imaging and Lisa Smithson & Co.
SINGING POLICEMAN RELIVES 9/11 EVERY DAY
Oct, 2006
Oliver Stone's new movie, "World Trade Center," opens Aug. 9 and one
person who won't be lining up to see it is Daniel Rodriguez, who is
better known as the "Singing Policeman."
Rodriguez rose to fame in the aftermath of the September 11
catastrophe when he sang at various functions honoring the people who
died. As such, the memories are "still very vivid" and, Rodriguez
admits, "not going away."
In his words, "I experience the loss at every concert. I get photos
of people who were lost or died, while others tell me my music gave
them inspiration and comfort." Rodriguez -- who is now retired from
the New York Police Department -- is fulfilling his lifelong dream of
being a singer and [the connection to] 9/11 is "bittersweet.
As a result, he feels duty-bound to honor the memory of those who
died by concentrating on "faith-based music," whether that means
patriotic songs or religious material, as on his current CD, "In The
Presence."
Oct 2006 Daniel to sing at SIMHS
America's Tenor to raise his voice for special people
October 17th in Staten Island
A presentation of fur fashions by L'Furs of New Dorp will be included
in the evening's proceedings.
The fund-raiser benefits developmentally disabled and neurologically
impaired infants, children and adults served by the Pouch Center, 657
Castleton Ave., West Brighton, a division of the Staten Island Mental
Health Society (SIMHS).
Rodriguez lent his soaring voice and patriotic spirit to New Yorkers
after the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, with his stirring
renditions of "God Bless America" and other songs.
He currently travels throughout the country singing at charitable
events, including the USO, City of Hope, and law enforcement
organizations, where he not only entertains but inspires people who
are facing adversity.
America's Tenor Daniel Rodriguez will perform at the annual Dinner/
Show fundraiser of the Elizabeth W. Pouch Center for Special People of
the Staten Island Mental Health Society, on Tuesday, October 17, at
the Hilton Garden Inn, Bloomfield, 7 p.m. Features full sit-down
dinner, Chinese auction, door prizes. Tickets: $55. For more
information and reservations call (718) 442-2225
Nov 17, 2006
World Children's Day at McDonald's to Benefit Children Around the World
McDonald's CEO Jim Skinner joined by `Dancing with the Stars'
finalists Mario Lopez and Emmitt Smith, the Duchess of York and other
stars at anniversary event supporting Ronald McDonald House Charities
November 16, 2006--World Children's Day at McDonald's, the company's
largest annual fundraiser for children, turned five years old today.
Entertainers, musicians, executives and children came together in New
York City for a worldwide celebration to support fundraising efforts
conducted in over 100 countries for Ronald McDonald House Charities
(RMHC(R)) and other children's causes.
Just hours after judges announced the winning couple on the hit
television series "Dancing With The Stars" season finale, finalists
Mario Lopez and dance partner Karina Smirnoff, along with Emmitt Smith
and dance partner Cheryl Burke, joined McDonald's CEO Jim Skinner,
World Children's Day global ambassador Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of
York, actress Sofia Vergara and other entertainers at the 42nd Street
McDonald's. After meeting with children and families staying at the
Ronald McDonald House(R) of New York City, event participants stopped
behind the counter to help raise funds for World Children's Day.
"McDonald's has a rich tradition of being a good community partner and
neighbor," said Skinner. "As the needs of the world's children have
increased over time, so has the need for companies and citizens to
play a more active role in affecting positive change."
Kicking off the celebration was "America's Tenor" and New York's own
Daniel Rodriguez best known for his heroic service as a New York
City police officer on 9/11 and his stirring rendition of "God Bless
America" at subsequent memorial services performing "Aren't They All
Our Children." The song was written by 14-time Grammy award winner
David Foster in honor of World Children's Day at McDonald's. Broadway
performer and R&B recording artist Nita Whitaker closed the event with
"Stand up for Love," the World Children's Day anthem written by
Beyonce Knowles and David Foster, which was released last year by
Destiny's Child.
