TONY MELENDEZ

It was an unforgettable moment when, on September 15, 1987, he played his guitar for Pope John Paul II in Los Angeles. Born without arms, he performed a touching song entitled "Never Be The Same." And when the Pope approached him from the stage to kiss him in appreciation, it seemed to reflect the sentiments of the entire country.

Never Be the Samewas an appropriate song, for those few moments changed then, 25 year old Tony Melendez' life and brought his unrestrained abilities as a guitarist into national attention. It seems to be a fitting place for a man who has spent his life putting personal confidence above his handicap.

A "thalidomide baby", Tony was born without arms because his mother was prescribed this drug during pregnancy. He was brought to the Los Angeles area from Nicaragua to be fitted with artificial arms. He wore them until he was ten, when he disposed of them. "I didn't feel comfortable," he explains, "I could use my feet so much more."

His proficiency with his feet extended to more areas than just day-to-day care. He remembers that "at first, I started playing push-button organ. Then in high school I began playing around with the guitar and harmonica." He also began writing his own songs. Whether it was "playing around" with music or merely adjusting to a normal high school routine, Tony never let his handicap get in his way. "I was pretty secure in what I could do," he says.

It was also in high school that he became deeply involved in the Catholic church. "I went when I was a kid because my parents took me. I drifted away as I got a little older. When I was in high school, my brother kept saying 'come on, you've gotta go. It's great!' So I went again and made a lot of friends, and wound up changing my life in the process.

During this time, he considered becoming a priest but couldn't, because priests are required to have an index finger and thumb. The news disappointed him but he persevered in his church activities, using his talents as a guitarist and composer in the services. Demand for him increased to the point where he was directing and singing in music groups at up to five services on a given Sunday. It caught people's attention, including someone with the group organizing activities for the monumental visit of Pope John Paul II in 1987.

"Someone pulled my name out of somewhere and asked me to go to a meeting," Tony recalls. "I wasn't sure what it was." It turned out to be an audition and Tony was accepted. "I was really excited when I heard."

Excitement became nervousness and then jubilation when the Pope responded to Tony's playing, with a kiss. He notes now that he wasn't sure how to react. "I was told not to move or the security might take me out, so I was very surprised when the Pope leaped off the four-foot stage to greet me."

Since then Tony has traveled across the United States and sixteen foreign countries, making countless television appearances, including The Today Show, Good Morning America, Geraldo, CBS This Morning, The Late Show with Arsenio Hall, 700 Club, Robert Schuller, and prime-time network specials for Variety Clubsand Very Special Arts. He also performed at The World Series, where he sang the National Anthemfor the fifth game of the 1989 series. Tony has had the opportunity to give three additional performances for the Pope, one in the Vaticanand another in the Pope's homeland of Poland, and in Denver Colorado for World Youthday 1993. Along with television and major personal appearances, newspapers and magazines articles have appear on him through out the world.

He has been the recipient of numerous awards and honors, including special commendations from President Reagan, The State of California, Variety Clubs of America, Very Special Arts, The City of Los Angeles, and countless other civic and charitable organizations, as well as the first annual Inspirational Hero Award from the NFL Alumni Association at Super Bowl XXIIIin Miami.

A highly talented composer and musician, Tony recorded his first album in 1989, a collection of contemporary Christian songs entitled, Never Be the Same, which resulted in nominations for Best New Artist of the Year from Cashbox Magazineand the Gospel Music Association. His debut Spanish LP, El Muro Se CayoAnd The Walls Came Tumblin' Down, was released to critical acclaim by Latin radio stations across the country. Ways of the Wise, Tony's second Christian album, includes the musical talents of Gary Chapmanand Phil Keaggy. The fall of 1990 CCM(Contemporary Christian Music) Magazine Top Pop List charted Ways of the Wise, Tony's first single released from the album, at #3. Currently, Toe Jam Music, (Tony's management) is about to merge with Angelus Record.

As a gifted performer who is managing to find a niche in several different mediums, Tony's voice is featured in a new animated video, Why Christmas Trees Aren't Perfectwhich was released in the fall of 1990. The project includes a duet between Tony and Jodi Benson (Ariel), of The Little Mermaid. Now an Author his best-selling autobiography, A Gift of Hope, was published in 1989 by Harper & Row, and now in 1997 re-released by Toe Jam Music.

Currently, Tony moved from California and now resides in Texas, where, through his singing he met, "the woman of his dreams". Now married, "Lynn and I love each other deeply, we'll travel, make music together, and one day share all of these memories with our children." Today, across the nation and world, music speaks to the hearts of those who listen. "I will keep singing, will share my life, and keep makin' music".

Despite all his new found attention, Tony is resisting the siren song of stardom, hoping only to develop his musical career. "I don't feel like a celebrity," he says with a smile, "I just feel like me!"

Finally, I am a songwriter and singer. Always, music has accompanied my life. Since I was a child, I felt the attraction for the musical expression and, in particular, for rock music. Thanks also to my sister and brother, I have grown up with Beatles in my ears and in my heart. When I was 13, I learned to play guitar and write songs. I listened to a lot of music, especially english and american rockers and italian folksingers. Today, I really appreciate Ivano Fossati and Fabrizio De André (I believe they are the best in Italy as songwriters), and Peter Gabriel and Sting as foreign artists. I am also a Manhattan Transfer's fan, an american vocal quartet whom, developing the technique of the vocalese, does "miracles" with their voices (listen to believe!). I love also classical music and jazz.. Since various years, I propose my songs in Italy, that are born just from my experience of faith and apostolic service.

The greater part of these songs was born among the young people and for them; in 1991, I published with St.Paul Daughters some tapes that contain these songs. Naturally, the best experience remains the encounter, the concert, where I live a Gospel's announce with music