Tony Melendez was born in 1962 in Nicaragua without arms due and a clubbed foot to the drug thalidomide, prescribed for morning sickness to his mother. In 1967, his family moved to the United States to have corrective surgery on his foot. In 1987, Tony’s life and career changed dramatically when he performed the song “NEVER BE THE SAME” for Pope John Paul II at the Universal Amphitheater in Los Angeles. The Pope embraced him saying “TONY, YOU ARE TRULY A COURAGEOUS YOUNG MAN. YOU ARE GIVING HOPE TO ALL OF US. MY WISH TO YOU IS TO CONTINUE GIVING THIS HOPE TO ALL THE PEOPLE”. Tony is known as the Ambassador of Hope as he travels the world giving talks and playing his powerful music. He is also the author of an autobiography titled A GIFT OF HOPE.