A native New Yorker, BOBBY was born & raised in Harlem. While attending the City University of New York, he honed his many musical talents and in 1970 became a lead singer/musician with “Joey Dee & The Starliters”, touring the concert circuit – including opening for the first Rock & Roll Revival at Madison Square Garden, for 22,000 fans, in 1971.
He then struck out on his own and was the lead singer and director for several cabaret shows, touring over thirty States.
He came to Florida in Dec. 1976 co-producer and perform at “BEETHOVENS”, which became Ft. Lauderdale’s leading supper club. He stayed there until 1980 winning two Carbonell Awards and a third nomination for the club’s innovative and ever-changing shows.
In 1978 he formed a local all-star 18-piece Big Band and has performed for most of the major South Florida music festivals, conventions, black tie balls and fundraisers, ever since.
In 1981, he opened his own special events and entertainment agency, BOBBY RODRIGUEZ PRODUCTIONS. Booking and/or performing with numerous name acts, including The Temptations, Manhattan Transfer, Red Foxx, Flip Wilson, Chuck Berry, Buddy Rich, Little Anthony… at events such as “Sunfest”, “Taste of Ft, Lauderdale”, the “Hollywood Jazz Fest.”… for such clients as the Boca Museum of Art, Winterfest, American Cancer Society, the Red Cross, Philharmonic Orchestra of Florida, the Miami City Ballet and many more.
He was Musical Director for the South Florida Entertainment Writer’s Associat ... view more »
A native New Yorker, BOBBY was born & raised in Harlem. While attending the City University of New York, he honed his many musical talents and in 1970 became a lead singer/musician with “Joey Dee & The Starliters”, touring the concert circuit – including opening for the first Rock & Roll Revival at Madison Square Garden, for 22,000 fans, in 1971.
He then struck out on his own and was the lead singer and director for several cabaret shows, touring over thirty States.
He came to Florida in Dec. 1976 co-producer and perform at “BEETHOVENS”, which became Ft. Lauderdale’s leading supper club. He stayed there until 1980 winning two Carbonell Awards and a third nomination for the club’s innovative and ever-changing shows.
In 1978 he formed a local all-star 18-piece Big Band and has performed for most of the major South Florida music festivals, conventions, black tie balls and fundraisers, ever since.
In 1981, he opened his own special events and entertainment agency, BOBBY RODRIGUEZ PRODUCTIONS. Booking and/or performing with numerous name acts, including The Temptations, Manhattan Transfer, Red Foxx, Flip Wilson, Chuck Berry, Buddy Rich, Little Anthony… at events such as “Sunfest”, “Taste of Ft, Lauderdale”, the “Hollywood Jazz Fest.”… for such clients as the Boca Museum of Art, Winterfest, American Cancer Society, the Red Cross, Philharmonic Orchestra of Florida, the Miami City Ballet and many more.
He was Musical Director for the South Florida Entertainment Writer’s Association’s ‘Carbonell Awards’ Show from 1984 to 1989. In 1988, he was commissioned to be the Executive Producer & Director and working with just a six week notice, BOBBY exceeded all previous attendance records at the awards ceremony and was able to prevail upon the talents of such notables as CHRISTOPHER REEVE, ROBERT GOULET, NANNETTE FABRAY, DON JOHNSON, SCOTT HAMILTON, CHITA RIVERA, EDWARD JAMES OLMOS, JERRY HERMON and many more. The show received rave reviews and, not surprisingly, he took over as Executive Producer and Director in 1989 & 1990.
As an actor, BOBBY has appeared as a principal player in numerous T.V. shows, such as “SuperBoy”, “Wise Guy”, “21Jump Street” with Johnny Depp, “B.L.Striker” with Burt Reynolds, “guest star” on “MIAMI VICE”, as well as several made-for-T.V. movies.
In 1992 he created and produced a 16th Century themed event called the ‘Medieval Faire’. What started as a two day festival has grown into a 6 weekend event, now known as the ‘FLORIDA RENAISSANCE FESTIVAL’, a major cultural, educational and entertainment extravaganza, with over 80,000 visitors annually and garnering numerous Local, National and International awards, including a “Top 20 Event” by the Southeast Tourism Society.
In 2005 Bobby was awarded the “Professional of the Year” by the Florida Festival & Events Association.
His leadership skills have resulted in his being named to the board and/or an officer of many organizations including:
Festivals Association of Broward (FAB – President Emeritus)
Florida Festivals & Events Association (FFEA)
International Special Events Society (ISES)
Professional Actors Association of Florida (PAAF)
Florida Motion Picture & Television Association (FMPTA)
Interested Members of the Performing Arts Center Team (IMPACT)
Light of the World Clinic
International Special Events Society
Prestige Club
16th Century, Inc. (President Emeritus)
Greater Miami Festival & Events Association
His commitment to his community and his industry has led him to be a member of:
Screen Actors Guild (SAG)
International Festivals & Events Association (IFEA)
American Federation of Musicians (A. F.of M.)
Greater Boca Raton Chamber of Commerce
Broward County Chamber of Commerce
Greater Fort Lauderdale’s Convention and Visitors Bureau
National Association of Catering Executives
Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International (HSMAI)
Deerfield Beach Chamber of Commerce
Visit Florida (FLAUSA)
Greater Fort Lauderdale Lodging & Hospitality Association
Rotary Club Fort Lauderdale
Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce
Florida Motion Picture & Television Association
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