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INTERVIEW: TONY MELENDEZ
By Dave Hartline,
CatholicReport.org
Dave Hartline
Tony, I will start with the obvious question, did you
have times in your life when you were down or depressed
about not having, what seems for most people would be an
absolute necessity, two arms
Tony Melendez I am not going to lie to you and
say there weren’t times when I was a kid that I didn’t
cry a little when I thought about it or when someone
said something unkind. However, I never really dwelled
on it much. Maybe it’s because I have always had a
supportive family that made me believe that everyone is
special in God’s eyes.
Dave Hartline Was faith and the Church always
important to you?
Tony Melendez When I was a kid I can remember my
parents forcing me to go when it wasn’t what I wanted to
do. However, when I got older I realized it must be very
important if they think it’s important. That’s the love
of parents for you making you do things you might not
like at first but knowing how important it is for you in
the long run. The Church is very important to me. I want
to thank God for all he’s done for me so that’s why I do
what I do. I try to go to Mass and Confession often
because I see the effects of sin on the world and I know
I am a sinner. I just want to get closer to God.
Dave Hartline Tell us about the Christian music
scene now that it’s growing and becoming more accepted.
I have heard some purists decry the fact that it’s
becoming too popular and too secular.
Tony Melendez I think if it brings someone closer
to Christ without being too violent or immoral then
what’s the problem? I do “Tears In Heaven” by Eric
Clapton and I don’t mind incorporating secular aspects
to my music. I remember I was performing at some big
music festival and most of the bands were Protestant and
Evangelical at that, and there was this real loud heavy
metal band that was incorporating Scripture verses in
the chorus. The whole crowd was singing with them. I
thought you know a lot of these kids could be involved
with some real scary stuff if it wasn’t for a band like
this. Those kids could really relate to a band like that
and that band is really helping them find their way to
God.
Dave Hartline Tony it seems most of the Christian
music out there is not being performed by Catholic
musicians. You are one of the few big Catholic names
thereare. It seems there’s a Catholic hunger for people
they can relate music, sports etc. I have written about
Notre Dame’s Head Football Coach Charlie Weis,
interviewed former coaches Lou Holtz and Gerry Faust
along with the inspirational player Rudy Ruettiger,
subject of the Hollywood movie “Rudy.” You know those
interviews are the most read articles I have done. Am I
wrong in sensing a great Catholic hunger to understand
other Catholics with whom they can relate?
Tony Melendez You said it hunger. There is a
Catholic spiritual hunger in the world for people they
can relate to, and some of these musicians who are here
[National Catholic Youth Convention] are going to do
well. I think when you have a spiritual hunger out
there, then it’s only a matter of time before the hunger
get its needs met. You have to meet people where they
are at in life. Those Catholic sports celebrities you
mentioned that’s where a lot of people are at. That’s
what Jesus did, he met people where they were at in life
and helped them along the way.
Dave Hartline Meeting Pope John Paul II and
hearing him say those inspirational words about you must
have been overwhelming.
Tony Melendez It was hard to take in at first. He
was saying those words about me but then I thought I
have to got to live up to them. That’s why I got to Mass
more than just once a week. I also take advantage of
Confession. You know sin is such a destructive thing. I
think about the sins I have committed and how that has
held me back so I just encourage people to avoid sin
because if you don’t it just takes over you and you
don’t even realize it. You might actually think your
life is full of fun and excitement even though you are
being controlled by something you don’t even understand.
Dave Hartline I go way back with your music, we
are talking the pre-CD era. You know we all go through
hard times in life and I remember a particular tough
time in my life when I was wondering if God had any
plans for someone like me and I stumbled across your
song, “You Are His Miracle” on a tape someone gave me in
graduate school. It really energized me and I still love
to listen to it, only I have the CD now. I am sure my
story is one of many similar stories.
Tony Melendez Yes, thank you for telling me, it
always make me feel special when I hear something like
that. You know what I am doing is just what God wants me
and everyone to do, share His message. I am sure you
probably shared that song or another song with someone
who you thought needed it. That’s what we are all called
to do, share God’s message and live joyfully.
Dave Hartline Finally Tony, you’re such an
optimistic guy I wonder do you think we are any more
sinful in 2005 than we were in the past?
Tony Melendez My first thought would be to say
yes seeing all that we do on the news and in the papers.
However, I wasn’t around in my grandfather’s youth so I
really don’t know. Is it just more open now when it was
more hidden before, I don’t know? I will say that sin is
always around us and we mustn’t give in to it. Maybe sin
is just more acceptable today than it was 100 years ago.
I do know that we have the tools to fight sin in the
words of Jesus, the Scriptures and all the Church’s
teachings. You know we all can do better. I really need
to study up on the Scriptures. I know the Bible but not
well enough. Sometimes people will question the Church
and engage me in a discussion so I give them an answer
or mention the Bible but afterwards I think I really
should be able to give a better answer. I think Mass and
Confession are very important. Well Mass and Confession
are two things the Bible talks about so we need to take
advantage of them. We have all the tools necessary to
succeed in our faith life; all we have to do is use
them.
Dave Hartline Thank you so much for those
inspirational words
Tony Melendez Thank you for letting me share some
of my experiences
CatholicMusicNetwork would
like to thank Dave Hartline of
www.CatholicReport.com for the interview.
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