Today we’d like to introduce you to Rod Newman
Hi Rod, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I was born and raised in a small rural town southeast of Birmingham, AL called New Site. Most people don’t have a clue where that is but here is where my story begins. With little to do, I began to create. Whether it was drawing, dancing, singing, acting, or making my own toys, I was creating. I had a vision at a very young age of what I wanted to be and I was determined to become just that, an Artist. As I have always said, “good artists create, Great Artist steal.” I watched and studied the greats before me like Michael Jackson, James Brown, to Kanye West, just to name a few; these guys have inspired me on so many different levels to become the artist that I am today. It was during a talent show at my K-12th High School when I was in the tenth grade when I got my first big break to perform before the entire school. My teacher was doing a Motown revue and they needed someone to be Michael.
And of course, I was known around school as that guy… Let’s just say that was the first time I was really recognized as something bigger than myself, I even signed my first autograph. I had tapped into something that most people are afraid to do- “To do what you love, and be yourself while doing it”. I had found my home on stage. After high school, I attended Southern Union State College on a Theatre scholarship. I had no experience whatsoever acting on stage before a live audience but for some reason, I knew I could do it, not to mention my professor professing that I was a natural. While in college, I performed in various stage productions and learned a great deal about stage presence, performance, and the power of the stage. Here is where my story takes a plot twist: I get Saved and give my life to Christ. This changes everything. I had this idea that I no longer wanted to be this great entertainer for the World anymore, I wanted to be a superstar for Jesus. And that’s what I did. Later, I transferred to the University of Montevallo in Birmingham to continue my studies as an actor.
For the next 15 plus years, I traveled the states, regions, and abroad as a Christian hip hop recording artist. In 2010 I gained much popularity in the city among my peers when I had this conceptual idea to create this character called the “Jesus Geek”. He is a mixture of Pee-wee Herman and Michael Jackson, Saved! I would perform and produce Live shows at churches, schools and toured local/national events. I remained independent during this time but; We established a trademark and acquired an LLC for the business of Geek World Entertainment. I recorded music albums, wrote a stage-play, directed video visuals, and wrote/illustrated a Graphic novel based on the character, all under the umbrella of Geek World Entertainment. Here is where the plot thickens: After a successful four years of the Jesus Geek, I stopped cold turkey, packed my bags, and moved to Nashville, TN. After a failed marriage, failure to sign my record deal, and feeling like life as a successful entertainer had dried up in Alabama, I moved. I lived there for another four years.
My perspective on life changed drastically, and of course, I another string of conceptual ideas to tell a different story, so I began to tell jokes. I practiced the art of comedy and became a comedian. Everything to me seemed like a joke and I wanted to share my humorous perspective. I produced a few comedy shows at the local comedy clubs but it seems that once again, I became the punchline. So, after moving back to Alabama, I went back to the basics and first love of music. I began to record music again and I founded other businesses under the parent company: The Newman Group and OHITS production house, where we write, produce, and direct short films, television, tech, and digital performance. We are a family of Creatives that Create together and Inspire together. Our latest project has been the Rod Goes Kanye series of visuals for the album: “Do The Right Thing” and “Kill Bill$” will be released in December 2020. And OHITS just signed on to direct and produce a web series entitled, “Next of KIn”. Our mission is “We Create to Inspire.”
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I struggled for years as an independent artist. Working 9 to 5’s and getting fired from 9 to 5’s all because I knew they were never for me. I never wanted to call no man Boss when I knew that I was my own Boss. As a result, I had to start over a lot because I had to learn how to juggle the two lives that I was living art or life. However, many relationships have come and gone, personally and business. Some people understand and some choose not to. Of course, it never stopped me from keeping creating because I know that’s what I am supposed to be doing. As well as inspiring others to become the person you were designed to be.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a conceptual performance artist. Everything I do centers around the arts/entertainment industry. For 15 plus years, I toured as a recording artist. I have written and illustrated a Graphic Novel based on the character in the music. I have a degree in Acting/Directing which I believe set me apart because I infuse multiple genres and styles into one platform to produce live shows and presentations. People use to ask me, “What do you do” and I couldn’t really answer them because I do a little bit of everything so hence the reason I coined the term: “Conceptual Performance Artist” I am an Artist first and then I have a Concept and I run with it. And the next step is that I have the fearlessness and audacity to share it in performance. I am very proud of my parent company Geek World Entertainment. We have divisional companies under the umbrella: The Newman Media Group, OHITS Production House, ProNation, and The Adventures of Mr. Newman. My specialty is a Music performance that is where my heart is on Stage.
The crisis has affected us all in different ways. How has it affected you and any important lessons or epiphanies you can share with us?
The most important lesson that I have learned during the pandemic is while most people concentrate on taking care of themselves physically, we must also take care of our mental state. While being in quarantine, I have really had time to reflect on the things that are most important in my life. And recognize what is actually the distractions.
Contact Info:
- Email: thenewmanmediagroup@gmail.com
- Website: ohitsproduction.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/RodGoesKanye
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/RodNewman
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/RodGNewman
- Youtube: https://youtu.be/W_hpv96uj40
- SoundCloud: www.soundcloud.com/RodNewman
Image Credits
Mykeon at Magic City Studios The Newman Media Group Geek World Entertainment, LLC. OHITS Production House
