In one of America's darkest hours -- the 9/11 terrorist attack on the World Trade Center that claimed 3,000 innocent lives -- Daniel Rodriguez was a shining ray of hope. Well-known in the boroughs of New York as the "singing policeman," his soaring rendition of "God Bless America" at the A Prayer for America event in New York's Yankee Stadium just days after 9/11 instantly made him world famous. And how the then-NYPD police officer used that fame is a remarkable story of heart, hope and patriotism.
Rodriguez used his newfound notoriety to give a grieving nation comfort, and he continues his mission of hope today. His first-ever Christmas album, "A Glorious Christmas," is the latest example of providing joy and creating a spirit of hope for people everywhere.
"A Glorious Christmas" is Rodriguez' tenth album. But the now-renowned tenor would not be alive today to share his musical passion through even a single album had he not made a fateful decision of his own on Sept. 11, 2001.
Rodriguez took HNGN back to the horrific life-altering events of that tragic day and behind-the-scenes of his Christmas CD through an exclusive interview.
"Back then, I was a community affairs/domestic violence officer for the south side of Manhattan," he told HNGN. "I sang at most of the events in the New York City area-street namings, events at city hall. I was on speed dial with the White House, the governor. I was basically living the life of a singer in the police department," explains Rodriguez.
"On the morning of 9/11, I was driving from my home in Staten Island across the Verrazano Bridge into Manhattan. I was halfway across the span of the bridge I saw the first tower burning. The traffic was horrendous. I was fortunate that I was able to jump into a caravan of emergency vehicles and police officers who were heading over from Staten Island. I made it in this caravan to the Battery Tunnel and, at the last moment before I got out of the tunnel, I changed my original plan.
"I had planned to make a right and go over to what would become Ground Zero, drop my car off there in Port Authority parking and then catch up with my crew, who were already there. They had responded to the tower burning.
"At that moment, I didn't know what had caused the tower fire. I thought maybe a gas main had blown up. I had no idea what was actually happening. I just knew I had to get there.
"I was about to turn right and head to the World Trade Center but, at the last moment, a little voice in my head reminded me of a piece of police academy training, one lesson out of many. The training saidthe first thing you need to do when you respond to a situation is give your position--let someone know where you are. That's why when an officer gets on the radio the first thing he says is something like '49&5. This is Sector Charlie.' That's because if for some reason the only thing the officer gets out on the radio is '49&5,' he has given his location as 49th Street and 5th Street--'49&5.' That way his fellow officers have a place to start searching for him or a place to go to provide him assistance.
"However, instead of making a right turn, I made a left, went to headquarters and then I went to Ground Zero. Taking that left saved my life. Had I taken a right as I originally planned, I would have been inside the building aiding with evacuation when it came down.
"As it was, I was heading toward the World Trade Center and I was a block away when it came down. Those few moments of going to headquarters to let them know my location, to check in there, put me outside the building when it collapsed instead of inside the building. That academy training--that voice in my head--saved my life."
Like so many Americans in every corner of the U.S., Rodriguez declares that 9/11 changed his life forever. Before the terrorist attack, he confesses, he was content to be the "singing policeman" and the official national anthem performer for the NYPD. However, in the aftermath of that cowardly action, he had an epiphany--he suddenly knew he had to do more with his life. He knew without a doubt that he had to draw on the musical background he had since he was a kid (at 16 he had presented his first recital at Carnegie Hall and at 17 he was billed as the "17-year-old baritone"). Rodriguez was absolutely certain down deep inside that he had to do whatever he could to use his voice and musical talent to help comfort and heal the injured nation.
"I knew that I was going to be called on soon," he acknowledges. "I knew that many of these 3,000 people would need funerals and they would need singers for the funerals. And for the friends that I lost in the attack, I wanted to offer my services to be able to sing and comfort the families.
"The first of those calls came a few days after 9/11 and it was from Mayor Rudolph Giuliani. He said there was going to be a big event at Yankee Stadium--A Prayer for America--and he wanted me to sing 'God Bless America' there. And I did.
"That's when I first realized that using music to help others had always been my calling. I realized that all my life had been in preparation for using the gift that God gave me to serve the country that was in so much sorrow and in such deep mourning."
His national popularity quickly led to quest appearances on "The Late Show with David Letterman," "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno," "Oprah," "The Hour of Power," "Larry King Live," "Live with Regis and Kelly' and "Praise the Lord." Being fluent in Spanish, he has also guested on the Latin market's top TV shows, including "The Fernando Espuelas Show," "Despierta America," "Al Despertar," " Sabado Gigante with Don Francisco" and "El Vacilon de la Manana."
He has performed at many high profile events, including the Republican National Convention and President Bush's "Celebration of Freedom" Inaugural concert. He appears as part of The New York Tenors in concerts around the country, and in 2012 and 2014 he sang for a September 11 Memorial Day service on the U.S.S. Bowfin at Pearl Harbor.
He continues to perform classical crossover concerts around the world as well as "The Star Spangled Banner" and "God Bless America" at football, basketball and baseball games, including several World Series. He has toured Holland, Germany, Switzerland, New Zealand, Australia and extensively in the U.S. Plus, he welcomes the ongoing opportunity to work with institutions such as the USO, City of Hope and numerous law enforcement and military organizations.
Now he is enthusiastically and passionately discussing his latest endeavor--"A Glorious Christmas"--with HNGN.
"I am really proud of the album," he notes. "The biggest challenge in putting together a Christmas album is trying to do something new with songs that are very familiar to so many people-songs that have been done over and over again. So, you really need to come at those songs with a new angle."
One new angle creatively applied by Rodriguez was to do three of the classic Christmas songs on the album as uniquely conceived duets. One duet is with acclaimed soprano and international recording artist Marla Kavanaugh, who is also Rodriguez' wife. Another is with pop diva and charting artist Shelea Frazier. And the third duet is a bilingual rendition with two-time Grammy nominee Karina Nuvo.
Rodriguez describes the duet with Kavanaugh on "I Believe" as a song of hope for America and the world. "The beautiful thing about 'I Believe' is that it is not just a song for the season. It is also a song for the times.
"My wife and I had sung the song many times. One day we were discussing what song that she and I could do for 'A Glorious Christmas.' As we discussed it, the television was on and the news was about all the things going on in the world, including ISIS and the crisis in Russia and homegrown terrorists.
"I looked at her and said, 'We really need to put something inspirational and with a positive message on this album in this time of such chaos. I think we should do 'I Believe.' These difficult times call for a song with a positive affirmation.'
"The lyrics begin
Someday I'll hear the sound of children in a world where war has been banned.
Someday I'll see men of all colors sharing words of love of devotion.
"The song captures the idea of coming together for peace and for something greater than ourselves. I felt that we needed that positive message on this album at this time.
"You know, since 9/11 we have been exposed to so much more turmoil and crisis than we have ever been before. We've seen the beheadings. We've seen mass killings. It seems like daily we are more directly viewing war and troubled areas of the world. I think 'I Believe' is a song of hope. A song we need now more than ever.'"
Of his "Christmas Day" duet with pop artist Shelea Frazier, Rodriguez tags the song as a fun holiday piece that showcases his lighter side. He says Frazier's pop style is the perfect complement to his "pop tenor" approach.
"Sheila is an up and coming pop star who is charting now and she is wonderful on 'Christmas Day.' It is a truly beautiful song that I first performed in the Netherlands.
"It's a feel good, Christmassy type song. The song has Christmas bells and the lyrics describe the 'picture of Christmas'-snow-covered rooftops, lights on the trees, the sound of singing down every street. The song just gives you a warm, happy feeling.
"Sheila did a tremendous job on 'Christmas Day.' And I think the pop sound fits the song perfectly."
Rodriguez explains that having Karina Nuvo do a duet with him on "Silent Night" was a "must." He says the Latin diva brought new life to the beloved holiday hymn.
"Karina has that raspy, soulful sound in her voice. She toured with me previously and I promised her a song on my Christmas album.
"This duet was the final song we recorded for the CD. It was also the most difficult to do because 'Silent Night' is 'Silent Night.' It's an iconic song. We've all heard it a million times. So, how do you make it new for the ear? How do you make it where people go, 'Wow, that was cool?' To make it new for the ear we decided to do it a bilingual duet, blending Spanish and English lyrics.
"We have guitars and really interesting harmonies to make this 'Silent Night' unlike all those other versions of the song people have heard over and over again.
And Karina and I didn't work from a previous arrangement when we were in the studio. We created the arrangement you hear on the spot.
Listen to the "Silent Night" duet here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5OSOkRQhAnA
Here is "A Glorious Christmas" track list:
"Do You Hear What I Hear"
"Mary Did You Know"
"I Believe" - duet - Marla Kavanaugh
"Where Else Would a Lamb Be Born"
"Christmas Day" - duet - Shelea Frazier
"Oh Holy Night"
"Some Children See Him"
"Silent Night" - duet - Karina Nuvo
"Lonely Christmas" (original)
"When a Child is Born"
Listen to "Oh Holy Night" here:
