To Give Hope to All The People
“I can’t explain why people have been moved to tears, as my feet slowly apply pressure to the face and neck of my guitar something happens. For as long as I could remember these toes of mine have been like fingers. God somehow has blessed me with music and the desire to persevere.”
Originally from Rivas, Nicaragua, Tony was born without arms. He also had a clubbed foot due to the drug, Thalidomide, taken by his mother. At the age of one Tony’s family immigrated to the USA so he could have corrective surgery on his left foot.
Tony grew up in a home where mom protected and cared greatly for him. His father encouraged and pushed him to do things on his own. As he had no arms, Tony had to learn to do almost everything with his feet. At the age of sixteen he taught himself how to play the guitar with his toes.
In 1987 he was asked by the youth of Los Angeles to be their gift to Pope John Paul II, and this internationally broadcast event set Tony’s career in to high gear. Now more than twenty-eight years later Tony has traveled to all fifty states and more than 44 foreign countries. Tony has been on shows such as Good Morning America, Hour Of Power with Robert Schuller, Arsenio Hall, 700 Club, and Jerry Lewis Telethons.
Tony has recorded five albums, Never Be The Same, Ways of The Wise, Cup Of Life, Hands In Heaven and his latest Hope/Esperanza. He also has an autobiography, A Gift Of Hope, and is the recipient of numerous awards, including special commendations from President Reagan, the State of California, the City of Los Angeles, and countless other civic and charitable organizations. He received the first annual Inspirational Hero Award from the NFL Alumni Association at Super Bowl XXIII.
Tony now resides in Branson with his wife Lynn and two kids, Marisa and Andres. Despite all the travel over the last twenty eight years, Tony continues to resist the siren song of stardom, hoping only to develop his musical career and share his God given gifts. “I don’t feel like a celebrity,” he says with a smile, ” I just feel like me!”
He was a musician and speaker at the:
24th annual conference in 2022
23rd annual conference in 2021
22nd annual conference in 2019