In the aftermath of the September 11 terrorist attacks, he received widespread attention with his rendition of "God Bless America", which he sang at memorial events and on television.

[5] His teen years were spent studying, and later as assistant director at the American Youth Repertory Company in Manhattan, under the tutelage of Juilliard trained Elliot Dorfman.

[14] New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani who had seen Rodriguez perform at various events, used his influence to arrange an audition for him at the Metropolitan Opera.

[citation needed] In June 2001, Rodriguez was the subject of a Cable News Network special about a New York City police officer who sang at Carnegie Hall.

[15] He was driving to work over the Verrazano Bridge in New York City at the time of the September 11 terrorist attack, and was two blocks away from the World Trade Center when it collapsed.

"I lived the horrors of 9/11 and made peace with God several times that day, and said goodbye to my family once or twice, and realized I was meant to stick around and do something positive with my life.

"[4] He would spend the next several months working at Ground zero, interrupted only by requests to sing at official functions, memorials, and media events.

[17] He once again sang the national anthem "The Star Spangled Banner" in the 75th Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade as a special tribute to the 9/11 attacks.

Plácido Domingo, who was also on the bill, heard him sing and invited him to attend the Domingo/Vilar Young Artists Institute in Washington D.C. for 18 months of opera study.

"[citation needed] At Carnegie Hall's 111th season opening, October 2001, he sang "God Bless America", with the Berlin Philharmonic in a tribute to 9/11.

[29] His debut performance before a worldwide audience occurred when he sang "God Bless America" at the opening ceremonies of the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, Utah.

[16] The following year he performed at a Memorial Mass at New York City's Cathedral of Saint Patrick, for Rainier III, Prince of Monaco who died April 6, 2005.

[37] In 2004 Rodríguez performed with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, as host of the Christmas Yuletide Celebration concert series, with Jack Everly principal pops conductor.

[45][46][47] On September 11, 2006, Rodríguez appeared on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, wherein he performed "Amazing Grace" accompanied by professional pianist, Mike Garson.

[65] On September 24, 2015, he performed at John F. Kennedy Airport as part of welcoming ceremony for Pope Francis' arrival in New York City.

[77] As part of the 2007 Summer Music Festival, Rodriguez performed a solo concert, accompanied by classical pianist Victoria Ulanov, at the Washington National Cathedral in Washington D.C.[78] September 11, 2003, Rodriguez was seen on the British TV show Today with Des and Mel hosted by Des O'Connor and Melanie Sykes.

[86][87][88][89] January 2009, he appeared on TV NZ for a live interview discussing events at the upcoming inauguration of U.S. President elect, Barack Obama.

[91][92][93] Rodriguez made his operatic debut as Canio in Ruggero Leoncavallo's Pagliacci in New York City with the Chelsea Opera in June 2006.

When he sang the touchstone aria,Vesti la giubba, venting Canio's grief and humiliation, you sensed that here was someone pouring out years of pent-up artistic longing.

[113][114][115] Broadcast on PBS August 2002, titled "Spirit of America" a benefit concert for the Scoliosis Care Foundation taped at Caesars Atlantic City, starred Daniel Rodriguez, guest performances by Linda Eder, Arturo Sandoval, Phoebe Snow, and Aprile Millo, orchestra conducted by Tom Scott.

[116] In 2003 Rodriguez performed in Appleton Wisconsin, at the International Community Partnerships Conference Security Through Stability featuring former Soviet Union President and Nobel Peace Prize recipient Mikhail Gorbachev.

[119][120][121] He performs at retirement communities, for police and firefighter support events, and for veterans causes, including appearances with the VA-National Medical Music Group.