Rodney Mannsfield

Rodney Mannsfield ~ Singer, Songwriter, Producer. Rodney began his musical journey at the age of eight. He joined many a local band as a trumpet player, which afforded him the opportunity to write songs, perform around town and perfect his craft, center stage. Rodney became part of a four-piece brass section that he loved to play with, until one night the lead singer of the band was unable to sing. The manager of the group asked everyone to help out with the vocals that had to be sung that night. There were three other members of the band that took turns singing different parts of the songs that were being played. They were able to finish the show, get paid, and have a lot of laughs about some of the singing they heard that night. The following day the manager of the group approached Rodney and said, “we want you to stop playing trumpet, and start singing ”. At first, Rodney was opposed to that idea. However, Rodney had to start singing in this band. He came to rehearsal, and found that he had been replaced by a new trumpet player. Little did he know, this would be the beginning of a wonderful musical journey. As a life long student of his craft, Rodney found “creating music to be the means by which I’ve been able to express what’s happening around me”. Rodney says “it makes me feel as though I’m fully in touch with the people in my life, and the places I’ve been”. Citing Stevie Wonder, Donny Hathaway, and James Taylor among his many inspirations, Rodney describes his music as “being the connection to his heart”. His music speaks of the “joy of love, the pain of loss, adoration, and all that fits in between”. When performing his new material, Rodney’s voice is rich, and his delivery heartfelt. Rodney has collaborated with producer Michael Powell (of Anita Baker fame) and garnered the “Best Male Newcomer” honor from the British music magazine “Blues and Soul”. Rodney has shared the stage with the great Gladys Knight, Angie Stone, Phyllis Hyman, Will Downing, Atlantic Starr, and H-Town to name a few. But when he is asked to share a highlight from his musical past, he ponders for a moment and then offers, “after one of my shows, a woman came up to me and said ‘this was the first time I went to a concert and felt really safe’. Her words assured me that I was doing exactly what I was put here to do”. Rodney Mannsfield is currently based in Philadelphia, PA. He is focused on writing and performing some of the best songs he has ever composed for his new CD, “A Long Road Home”.

Philadelphia, PA