Southern Nebraska Register
St. Stephen Parish in Lawrence will host an internationally known performer Sept. 28.
Tony Meléndez, a Nicaraguan-American guitar player and singer-songwriter born without arms, will present a concert at St. Stephen Church in honor of the parish’s 150th anniversary.
The anniversary celebration Sept. 28 will begin with Mass at 11 a.m. celebrated by Bishop James Conley. A dinner will follow, and there will be time for participants to tour the grounds. They may also visit the area of the dugout where the first Mass was celebrated, and view the site where logs from the first log church reside.
Meléndez will perform in the church at 3 p.m. and free-will offerings will be accepted. Refreshments will be available after the concert, and history books and recipe books will be available for sale.
Meléndez was born in Nicaragua. He was born without arms and with a clubbed foot, due to a drug prescribed to his mother for morning sickness, not knowing how it would affect the unborn child. Meléndez’s family immigrated to the United States when he was 1, so he could have corrective surgery on his foot that allowed him to walk.
At the age of 16, the young man taught himself how to play the guitar with his toes. As he grew proficient at guitar playing, he also matured as a singer and composer. He rose to international fame in September 1987 when he played the guitar with his feet in a special performance for St. John Paul II, during the pontiff’s visit to Los Angeles. Pope John Paul II, visibly moved, embraced the musician.
Meléndez has been on shows such as Good Morning America and Jerry Lewis Telethons, and prime time network specials.
Among the many awards he has received, in 2024, Meléndez received the inaugural Inspirational Hero Award from the NFL Alumni Association at Super Bowl XXIII in Miami. That same year, at the Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis, Meléndez performed in the main arena for more than 60,000 Catholics. In June, Meléndez was on the first episode of EWTN’s new series, “Gifts of Hope.”
He has recorded six albums and released an autobiography, “A Gift Of Hope.”
Meléndez lives in Branson, Mo., with his wife and children. To perform, he travels with his brother José, and together they share a message of hope, encouragement, and faith. The presentations cover topics such as the harms caused by drugs, the importance of self-esteem, disability awareness, cultural awareness, family support, and the troubling issue of bullying.
Meléndez has traveled to all 50 states and more than 44 foreign countries. In 2026, he will add his 45th country when he heads to Rwanda. A mission to the area will include visits to the Our Lady of Kibeho Shrine, orphanages and schools, as well as concerts in two major cities.
