Tony Melendez
Encyclopedia
José Antonio Meléndez Rodríguez (born on January 9, 1962, in Rivas, Nicaragua) is a Nicaragua
n American
guitar
player, composer and singer and songwriter
who was born without arms. His mother took Thalidomide
while pregnant, which caused his disability. Meléndez has learned to play the guitar with his feet.
area in 1985. On September 15, 1987 Meléndez sang Never Be the Same while playing the guitar with his feet in a special performance for Pope John Paul II. Visibly moved, the Pope descended from his chair and embraced Meléndez. The Pope told Meléndez, "My wish for you is that you continue to give hope to others and continue in what you are doing", which inspired him.
, his band, Tony Meléndez and the Toe Jam Band, has a busy concert schedule. Meléndez gives motivational talks and has written a book. He campaigns actively for the pro-life
cause.
Meléndez now resides in Branson
, Missouri
with his wife, Lynn.
and has received special commendations from the State of California for his work with young people and from President Reagan, regarding Tony "as a positive role model for America".
Nicaragua
Nicaragua is the largest country in the Central American American isthmus, bordered by Honduras to the north and Costa Rica to the south. The country is situated between 11 and 14 degrees north of the Equator in the Northern Hemisphere, which places it entirely within the tropics. The Pacific Ocean...
n American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
guitar
Guitar
The guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
player, composer and singer and songwriter
Songwriter
A songwriter is an individual who writes both the lyrics and music to a song. Someone who solely writes lyrics may be called a lyricist, and someone who only writes music may be called a composer...
who was born without arms. His mother took Thalidomide
Thalidomide
Thalidomide was introduced as a sedative drug in the late 1950s that was typically used to cure morning sickness. In 1961, it was withdrawn due to teratogenicity and neuropathy. There is now a growing clinical interest in thalidomide, and it is introduced as an immunomodulatory agent used...
while pregnant, which caused his disability. Meléndez has learned to play the guitar with his feet.
Career
Meléndez began playing and singing in the Los AngelesLos Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
area in 1985. On September 15, 1987 Meléndez sang Never Be the Same while playing the guitar with his feet in a special performance for Pope John Paul II. Visibly moved, the Pope descended from his chair and embraced Meléndez. The Pope told Meléndez, "My wish for you is that you continue to give hope to others and continue in what you are doing", which inspired him.
, his band, Tony Meléndez and the Toe Jam Band, has a busy concert schedule. Meléndez gives motivational talks and has written a book. He campaigns actively for the pro-life
Pro-life
Opposition to the legalization of abortion is centered around the pro-life, or anti-abortion, movement, a social and political movement opposing elective abortion on moral grounds and supporting its legal prohibition or restriction...
cause.
Meléndez now resides in Branson
Branson, Missouri
Branson is a city in Taney County in the U.S. state of Missouri. It was named after Reuben Branson, postmaster and operator of a general store in the area in the 1880s....
, Missouri
Missouri
Missouri is a US state located in the Midwestern United States, bordered by Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska. With a 2010 population of 5,988,927, Missouri is the 18th most populous state in the nation and the fifth most populous in the Midwest. It...
with his wife, Lynn.
Awards and recognition
Meléndez has won Unity Awards Male Vocalist of the Year UCMVA in 2000, 2002, 2004 and in 2002 took Artist of the year. He received the Branson Entertainment Award for Best New Artist in 1999, the "Inspirational Hero Award from the NFL Alumni Association at the Super Bowl XXIIISuper Bowl XXIII
Super Bowl XXIII was an American football game played on January 22, 1989 at Joe Robbie Stadium in Miami, Florida to decide the National Football League champion following the 1988 regular season. This was the first Super Bowl hosted in the Miami area in 10 years, and the first in Miami not held...
and has received special commendations from the State of California for his work with young people and from President Reagan, regarding Tony "as a positive role model for America".
- Special Commendation from President Reagan - As A Positive Role Model for America
- Special Commendation from State of California - For Work with Young People
- Inspirational Hero Award from the NFL Alumni Association at Super Bowl XXIII in Miami
- Branson Entertainment Awards – Best New Artist (1999)
- Unity Awards - Male Vocalist of the Year UCMVA (2000)
- Unity Awards - Artist of the Year UCMVA (2002)
- Unity Awards - Male Vocalist of the Year UCMVA (2002)
- Unity Awards - Male Vocalist of the Year UCMVA (2004)
Discography
- Never be the SameNever Be the Same"Never Be the Same" is the title of the third single by singer-songwriter Christopher Cross, released from his debut Grammy Award-winning album Christopher Cross. It was the singer's third consecutive single to reach the Top 40 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, where it peaked at number 15 late in 1980...
(1988) - Ways of the Wise (1990)
- El Muro Se Callo (1991)
- Debe Haber (1995)
- Hands in Heaven (1997)
- The Cup Of Life (1998)
- Intimate Worship (1999)