Interview with Erika Rodger - 11/04/09

Interview By: Dennis M. Kelly

Erika Rodger Biography

Before the age of two, Erika Rodger was humming and singing before she could even talk—a talent that has never ceased and has continued to develop and grow into a desire towards a successful career as a major recording artist. Hailing from Frankfort, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago, Erika has performed both locally and nationally, receiving such prestigious performance opportunities such as being handpicked by music legend David Foster to perform with him during his David Foster & Friends 2009 Tour, performing live on Chicago Fox News in the Morning’s Chicago Idol competition—receiving praise from Academy Award winning actress Jennifer Hudson, singing the National Anthem for the Chicago White Sox, making all callbacks for the reprisal of the national television talent show, Star Search, performing live at Chicago’s Navy Pier Skyline Stage for KISS FM, as well as winning a Chicago Idol competition and performing as the opening act for Richard Street of the internationally successful and iconic group, The Temptations.

Growing up, Erika was influenced by such diva vocalists as Whitney Houston, Cece Winans, and Celine Dion. In learning techniques from these top vocalists of our time, Erika has created a powerful voice that rivals these great vocalists, yet adds a rootsy, emotional soulfulness that is all her own, stemming from her deep blues, soul, and gospel influences. Erika has not only locally and nationally demonstrated her skill as a Pop/R&B/soul vocalist, but also as a soprano opera singer, having completed studies in both vocal opera performance and English, as she received her BA this past June from Northwestern University.

Erika is now focusing on fulfilling her goal of becoming a major recording artist. Having previously recorded cover materials by such artists as Whitney Houston, Yolanda Adams, and Christina Aguilera, Erika is now focusing on songwriting, as well as gaining representation to break down industry doors. Erika has been hard at work in the studio recording new material that is both vocally powerful and soulful, creating an exciting, new artistic mixture of incredible vocals and great emotional depth that will breathe fresh air into the music industry.

You can find out more about Erika at: www.myspace.com/erikanicolerodger