Daniel Rodriguez To Perform At July 4th Family Fun Fest

Daniel Rodriguez, “America’s Beloved Tenor,” will perform a mini concert July 4 at .

Rodriguez’s performance will be the highlight of Willow Bend’s first-ever July 4^th Family Fun Fest, a day filled with activities and fun for the entire family. 

"We are doing the Family Fun Fest to reach out and connect to our community," said Geoff Gordon, the church's pastor. " We are expecting that everyone will have a great time. Having Daniel Rodriguez come in for a performance is a big plus, especially saying 'God bless America' in song."

Rodriguez rose to fame at first as the “Singing Policeman” in the metropolitan New York City area. Following the events of Sept. 11, 2001, he became affectionately known as “America’s Beloved Tenor,” singing at memorial events and other venues as requested.  

Hailing from a musical family, Daniel studied under Juilliard-trained instructor Eliot Dorfman and performed at the age of 17 at Carnegie Hall. After Placido Domingo, world renown  tenor, heard Daniel sing during the weeks following Sept. 11, he contacted Daniel and offered him a chance to study under his guidance. He was privileged to spend 18 months under Domingo’s wing.

Rodriguez has performed all over the world since his official retirement in 2004 from the NYPD. He has appeared on "Larry King Live," "Live with Regis and Kelly," "Oprah" and at special events and concerts.

He recently completed his third album, his first inspirational one called, “In His Presence.”  

"In lieu of holding a week-long VBS camp, I had the idea to hold a one-day festival which I hope will provide the community with a day of entertainment as well as education,” said Jen Cleary, event coordinator. “Several nonprofit organizations such as the Counseling Center at Willow Bend Community Church, the Oasis crisis pregnancy center and the Pasco County Fire Department will have information booths set up so our community can learn more about the services they provide."

Rodriguez's appearance wasn't necessarily planned.

"It was very exciting when Daniel Rodriguez overheard me describing my plans for the event to the youth ministry team and he offered to sing at the event,” Cleary added.

There will be free carnival-style games, a bounce house and water play. Games2U, an air conditioned mobile arcade, will be sell wrist bands. Food will be available for purchase including snow cones, chips, hot dogs, chicken legs, pulled pork sandwiches, shish-kabobs, and Papa Johns pizza.

The mini concert is free and open to the public and will start at 5:30 p.m. on July 4.  Area residents are encouraged to attend the day’s events, which start at 2 p.m. on the church grounds at 2541 Henley Road in Lutz.

For more information, contact the church at 813-909-4748.