Rosen's Sport Sunday

So, a couple weeks ago Rosen featured my music on Rosen's Sport Sunday on WCCO-TV (CBS).  The experience was awesome:

There we were... standing in a REAL television studio.  Not just some leased out space with a guy w/ an "hd" camera and a floosy character of a person in the frame complaining about some lame new Loring neighborhood (Minneapolis) policy and his/her scewed political views... no.  We were on "real" TV.  And not just walking in the background of a breaking news story waving to my mom at home TV...  I got to share my music.  And the band, made up of close friends and family, was right there with me.  It was quite an awesome experience. 

I've been blessed with some pretty cool opportunities lately, but having Mark Rosen (WCCO-TV) say, "...and now more from Dan Rodriguez," right before we click off the tempo to Red Flags is nothing short of awesome. 

The set was rocking too.  The studio floor is a slick, reflective, black.  Lighting everywhere.  ROBOT cameras that move on their own made us laugh and joke around about robots taking over the world.  Erica Mayer was there too motioning for me to smile during the songs and "flirt" with the camera.  She's SUCH an asset to my career.  Not to mention she's the one that asked Rosen to have us on the show.

Anyway... Here's a pic of us playing.  There's the robot cameras.  We had a blast.  Watch the music clips at the WCCO Video Library!  Enjoy.

Selfless acts by astounding people

The video shoot last week was amazing.  There we stood, filming the band shoot, and rocking out on a rooftop, blasting Red Flags down the streets of Minneapolis, and having the time of our lives. 

There were people in the hotel across the street standing at their windows watching.  We were "really doing it."  And then there was the crew... photogs Joe Berglove (WCCO) and Lorri Burchett (WCCO), make-up artist Paula Claussen (EVERYWHERE), and of course, award winning director and good friend Erica Mayer (WCCO).  Guys that helped with set up included kats like Sean Skinner (WCCO) and Cole Premo (WCCO/Six Shot Love)... everyone lending a hand and expecting nothing in return.  I'm amazed at how blessed I am to have these people in my life.  Guys like Will LaClair who would hold back an army to let us through.  People like my little brother Jordan, and sister Julie who helped in any area that they could for this shoot.  I'm absolutely floored at how undeserving I am to have such amazing people in full support of this project.  Not just with their words, either... but with their time, efforts, and encouraging hearts. 

How do I say "thank you?"  How do I show them that their time and efforts are appreciated?  Money is usually the way that this is compensated... but anything I could offer would be beyond an insult.  The shoot we did should have run up

wards from $12,000 and they all donated their time!!

I've learned so much about selflessness from this group.  People like Erica staying up late hours editing because she works an actual job during the day.  Just about every one that was there has a child, spouse, or something far more important that ME to go home to, yet they chose to spend their time on that rooftop. 

I hope someday that I will have the opportunity to show my gratitude with even a fraction of the selflessness they displayed. 

THANK YOU!

Pictures from Summerfest

here's a few pics from Summerfest.  Enjoy

SOLD OUT of CDs!!

2 days, 6 shows left... & upcoming stuff

I'm feeling a new sense of energy today.  I'll be hitting the Summerfest grounds in just a couple of hours and I'm stoked.  I've been exhausted the last couple of days.  Today marks 1 week from my arrival in Milwaukee... and since then I've played 17 shows... 6 more to go.  I'm almost out of CDs, and almost out of fliers for my Milwaukee show with Ari Herstand on July 16th.  This has been a fun journey.  I'm loving life on the road... meeting people, making friends, sharing my music... what a life!

... and this crazy schedule doesn't settle down much.  I get back on Monday the 6th, and we have a show with Ari, Greycoats, and Breanne Duren at the Varsity on the 10th.  I'm playing a private event on the 11th.  Music video shoot on the 12th.  Then back to Milwaukee for the show on the 16th.  I finally get a small break before I'm singing the National Anthem again at the Saint Game on the 25th.  

I wouldn't trade this life for another.  I dig the nonsense, the people, the strange sleeping arrangements (although this time the Daums in Oconomowoc have been MORE than hospitable), the interesting foods, the hecklers at the shows, the feeling of not knowing what tomorrow brings... all of it meshes together to create my current state of living... and I love every moment of it.  

Well, I'm off to make more music.  Make sure you check out the YouTube video from the show with Augustana the other day!  What a great show!

Summerfest 2009, my online store, and more...

It's 3:40AM here in Milwaukee, WI.  I'm exhausted from the long day, but I wanted to take a minute and blog about what's been happening...

Life's thrown me some curve balls lately, but one thing that I know stands solid is my love for music and performing.  Being here at Summerfest has not only made me realize even more my love for performing, but also my love for watching others perform as well.  

My friend Tyler Burkum plays guitar for Mat Kearney, and I got to hang out with them for a bit.  Sat on the tour bus.  Watched the show from side stage.  Even gave Kearney one of my discs!  

I've watched so many shows including Buddy Guy, The Wailers, Tyrone Wells, Mat Kearney, Needtobreathe, Brett Dennan, and more to come.  

My shows are going really well too!  It's tough with just an acoustic guitar when you're competing with acts like Train, The Fray, Bob Dylan, and Stevie Wonder... but there always manages to be a decent crowd and a lot of CD signing and pictures taken.  What a blast!

------------ Quick note on the online store:  Still working on it.  May be another couple weeks.

Ok, it's bed time.  Another long day tomorrow.  More updates/blogs to come.