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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, Times Staff Writer
© St. Petersburg Times, published December 25, 2001
CLEARWATER -- 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.
"I'm doing better than Mariah Carey, I think," Daniel Rodriguez said. "I'm grateful for the gift that was given to me."
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."