One ASU student is trying to make a name for himself as an R&B singer even though he lives in area better known for its heat waves than its hot new talent.
But broadcast journalism junior David Hernandez says he hopes he will beat the odds and mark his name in the success column.
Hernandez, 20, says he writes his own lyrics and records his own harmonies. He models his singing style after Bryan McKnight, Usher and John B and has already released three tracks on his Web site, www.davidhernandez.biz.
"I like to write anything, about a full range of emotions," he says. "Club, love, being deceived, ex-relationships-anything that makes people feel what I'm feeling right now."
Hernandez says he recently finished recording a 12-track studio album titled Cause and Effect. However, he wants to re-record some of the tracks from that album and add new songs to create a more polished product than its predecessor.
"I didn't have the right equipment," Hernandez says. "It was so rough, so raw. It'll sound so much better."
He wants to cement a record deal and has been working back and forth with some prospective companies, but he doesn't know what the outcome will be. In between, Hernandez searches for the next promising gig that might lead him to success.
He auditioned Feb. 27 inside the MU with Top Notch Records, and was selected as one of about five of people to work with the company. However, Hernandez says, Top Notch is not his record label and he has not entered into any contractual agreements with the company.
However, Top Notch helps to book shows for him around Phoenix and in Colorado. Two include March performances before ASU students and fans at Minder Binder's in Tempe. Hernandez is also scheduled to sing there April 23.
Hernandez says he loves singing R&B above all kinds of music, and that he won't let setbacks stop him.
"There's a certain degree every artist has to bend," Hernandez says. "The most important thing is being true to yourself. Ultimately, my heart is in the R&B."
Hernandez got his start in show business as a 10-year-old working behind the scenes with Valley Youth Theater. He did backstage work for Annie and took a role as one of the boys in The Canterville Ghost. Hernandez says the work wasn't glamorous, but it provided him with valuable experience.
His parents divorced when he was 2 years old. Later family disagreements created a "huge gap" in his performing history when he was a teenager. He left home at 17.
He says his life hasn't been easy.
"Nothing's been handed to me," Hernandez says. "I work hard for everything I do."
He started going to acting workshops near his home while still in high school and says he is a "natural actor." During his senior year, he started singing hooks and background vocals for rapper Zone Diggy and a group called Rubixs Crew. When he graduated from high school, his musical career started to build.
One of his friends, 25-year-old Melinda Hix, met Hernandez when she was passing out fliers to singers at an Arizona Idol competition at Dodge Theatre. The fliers were for singing lessons with her voice coach.
Hernandez called about voice lessons and began to fine-tune his skills.
Hernandez placed in the top 10 at the Arizona Idol contest, which he considers to be his breakout moment.
Hix says Hernandez is bound for success.
"David is like a diva, only he's a man," she says. "He is so sexy. He's got it pulled together. He's really a superstar, but also reserved and hardworking."
Hix later tried out with him at the Top Notch contest in February. Both placed in the top group.
On top of his singing, Hernandez recently appeared in the locally produced film Synthetic Truth, which was recently released on DVD.
Hernandez says he will do almost anything to succeed. And hopes he will make his mark on a TV show similar to "Making the Band," but starring Missy "Misdemeanor" Elliot. David recently auditioned and advanced to become one of 120 finalists in the regional competition. He is still waiting to hear whether he made the cut.
He plans to perform June 17 at the Juneteenth Festival in downtown Phoenix and at the Tony & Guy Fashion Show this summer. He also records hooks for local group Starfisher.
"Right now, at this point I'm really happy doing shows, but there's still that void," he says. "I want to be extremely huge ... until I get to that point, I know I'm not going to be satisfied with life.
Reach the reporter at nicole.saidi@asu.edu.
