Don’t call it a comeback, but Hoboken resident Roger Ortega hopes to perform as a part of the radio station Z100’s largest annual concert – Jingleball. Before he gets there, however, he needs some help.
Ortega, 37, has entered a contest that allows artists to compete for the opportunity to sing at Z100’s All Access Lounge at Hammerstein Ballroom before the main concert, as well as shoot a music video produced by the radio station. The station’s listeners will check out music from contestants and vote for their favorites.
“There’s no way I truly lose because I am so blessed to have the support of the people around me.” – Roger Ortega
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Next, a team of panelists from Z100 will review music from the top 25 vote-getters to decide the five finalists. After the five finalists are determined, a new round of fan voting will begin.
Started young
Ortega was originally in a pop group when he was 14 years old, and his group got a production deal that brought him from his hometown of Topeka, Kan., to Hudson County. But eventually, with the group unable to produce an album, he left music.
“I was frustrated with the whole industry and I walked away,” Ortega said. But recently, he started writing songs again.
“Through a series of fortunate events, I was able work with Mena Keys Records,” he said. The record studio is based in Union City.
“Somehow I ended up being an artist again, and since I’ve jumped in full time, it’s really taken off for me,” Ortega said. “I wanted to show people, especially my daughter, to never give up on your dreams. If you have a passion for something, it’s always going to be there.”
Ortega describes his music as a mix of rhythm and blues, pop, and dance.
“I grew up in a very musical family,” he said. “My dad and uncles played in a band. They were part of an award winning Tejano music band.”
Tejano music is a mix between Texas country and Mexican style music.
Ortega lists his family among his musical influences, in addition to other traditional artists.
“I have a lot of pop influences,” he said. “Everybody from Boyz II Men, Baby Face, up through the current singers like Lady Gaga and Ne-Yo.”
His career resurrected, Ortega is currently working on his first album, scheduled for a March 2012 release.
“My pop group never got an album released because of problems with our contract,” he said. “But over the last eight months I’ve gone full throttle and am really gaining momentum…it’s going to be an R & B, pop mix with some nice dance tracks. It’s going to be a really fun album.”
As far as the Z100 contest, Ortega would also have the opportunity to rub shoulders with top singers such as Lady Gaga, LMFAO, Kelly Clarkson, and Pitbull in the press room of Z100’s biggest concert of the year.
“It’s amazing and overwhelming,” he said. “There’s no way I truly lose because I am so blessed to have the support of the people around me, and this has been just such an amazing experience.”
Last week was the 13th anniversary of Ortega moving to the area. He spent his first few years in Jersey City as a resident, and moved to Hoboken five years ago.
“It would give me a lot of exposure to a whole lot more people,” he said. “And I think it would help me gain some credibility. Winning would definitely create more opportunities to be seen and be heard.”
The official name of the contest is the Z100 Hometown Hero contest. Since Ortega finished in the top 25, he will be one of the singers reviewed by a team of panelists from the radio station.
If he’s selected as a part of the top five, voting will begin again. To view the website, go to http://www.z100.com/pages/events/jingleball11/hometown-hero.html. Check out his music on YouTube by searching for Roger Ortega, and check the contest site to see if he made the top five on Nov. 10.
Ray Smith may be reached at RSmith@hudsonreporter.com