Faces
With talent & super tape, musician hits it big I
f Tony Memmel wins a Grammy Award someday, he’ll probably thank the makers of Gorilla Tape.
That’s because Memmel’s discovery of this super sticky tape gave the singer-songwriter the support he needed to use a guitar pick properly, despite not having a left forearm. The tape, of course, is only a tool for Memmel. His skills as a com- poser and performer are what has garnered him national attention. The band Counting Crows held a contest to cover some of its songs. Memmel’s version of “Recovering the Satellites” was a grand prizewin- ner. Crows front man Adam Duritz wrote of the offering: “I love the vocal treatment, technically, musi- cally and just emotionally. It makes it very personal.” A lifelong member of Ascension
Lutheran Church, Waukesha, Wis., Memmel’s music is his ministry. But where he makes the biggest impact, he said, is as a supporter of the Lucky Fin Project, which celebrates and assists people with limb differ- ences—focusing on children (www.
luckyfinproject.org). Memmel wrote the Lucky Fin theme song, with half of its download proceeds going to the organization. “When I’m on the road perform- ing I have a chance to connect with families and with children through the organization,” Memmel said. “I can play music for them and I can
100-plus birthdays
Tony Memmel says music is his min- istry. At Ascension Lutheran Church, Waukesha, Wis., he plays guitar for the contemporary service, which has grown significantly in attendance.
show them what an adult in their situation is doing with his life.” Memmel has enjoyed music from early childhood. Partici- pating in Ascension’s theatrical production of the Passion story excited him about performing. He started writing songs, and when he was 13 he asked his parents to help split the cost of buying a guitar. For eight years, as he grew as
a player, he searched for better ways to hold the pick without a left hand. “I found Gorilla Tape, which I still use today,” he said. “That was a big deal for me to find it.” Each time he plays, Memmel uses the tape to form a cast that holds his guitar pick tight.
Memmel met his now wife Lesleigh in college. A nurse, she also plays piano and is a member of his band, which tours throughout the country. One of the singer’s biggest honors, he said, was performing at the ELCA
Youth Gathering last year in the New Orleans Superdome. “It’s funny because our church didn’t attend the national Youth Gatherings when I was growing up,” he said. “It was one of the highlights of my life. The room was supercharged with emotion. It was so special to be a part of it.” Memmel plans to remain active at Ascension, where he leads the contem- porary service. “Since my 20s I’ve been able through my music to connect to people on a
deeper level related to my faith, even more than I originally thought I could,” he said. With his faith, his guitar and a little tape, Memmel has been able to realize his dreams.
Jeff Favre Favre is a contributing editor of The Lutheran.
105: Percy Batey, Messiah, South Williamsport, Pa.; Mildred Sundry Eckblad, Stordahl, Zumbrota, Minn. 103: Johanna Languish, Holy Spirit, Albany, N.Y.; Luella Young, St. John, Decorah, Iowa. 102: Martha Bakken, Palisade, rural Rock County, Minn.; Jeanette Stuempfle, Messiah, Williamsport, Pa.; Elsie Walls, Trinity, Lansdale, Pa. 101: Agnes Boraas, Lac Qui Parle, Dawson, Minn.; Mildred Monke, St. John, Dickinson, N.D. 100: Mary Bohner, Salem, Millersburg, Pa.; Ella Hughes, Lamb of God, Haines City, Fla.; Ann Schulz, Brooklyn, Brooklyn, Wis.; Ardith Sween, First English, Tyler, Minn.; Frances Torstenson, Trinity, Minneapolis.
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