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Diagnosed with Focal Dystonia, Billy McLaughlin Refuses to Let the Music Die
Changing Hands: An evening of acoustic guitar with Billy McLaughlin was performed Saturday, October 1 in Asheville, North Carolina. The event was a benefit for the Dystonia Medical Research Foundation (DMRF), and sponsored by Allergan, Inc., Merz Pharmaceuticals, Mission Healthcare Foundation, and Biltmore Farms.
After graduating with a music degree from the University of Southern California, Billy McLaughlin became an award-winning performer, recording seven releases for his own independent record company. His first album for a major label, "Fingerdance," climbed to No. 7 on Billboard's New Age chart elevated by richly melodic acoustic guitar instrumentals. Touring relentlessly across the country for over a decade, McLaughlin was called a "mystical guitar guru" by critics until he abruptly disappeared from sight in the late 90's. His national fan base was left to wonder what went wrong. The diagnosis was focal dystonia, a neurological disorder that curled and cramped the fingers on his fretboard hand which worked up and down the neck of the guitar. The cause remains unknown and currently there is no cure.
Over the past 30 years musicians and health professionals alike have taken an increased interest in the study of disorders that affect a performer's ability to play music. Considering the vigorous demands of practicing and performing at an expert level, the constant repetition of precise movements over the course of many years, and the need to earn a living through music, professional musicians are susceptible to a variety of specific occupational injuries. One disorder to which musicians are susceptible is task-specific focal dystonia.
Billy McLaughlin's concerts are designed to not only entertain, but to also inform audiences about dystonia and the impact of this disorder on the lives of those affected. While McLaughlin's spasms began in the late 1990's, his condition was not diagnosed as dystonia until some years later. While injections to prevent the spasms have worked for some musicians, they did not work for him. That's when he decided to retrain as a left-handed performer.
Changing Hands: An evening of acoustic guitar with Billy McLaughlin provided an interactive performance by McLaughlin. Included in the evening was a short segment from a recent PBS documentary, Changing Keys, based on McLaughlin's remarkable perseverance during his struggle to keep his music alive. His career has been restored, and he continues to play the music he so truly loves. "I feel like I've been given a second chance to do this thing that gives so much meaning to my life, playing my music and sharing it with people," he said. "I would like to someday say that I am cured and until then, I will work to raise awareness of dystonia and support for research towards a cure."
McLaughlin was elected to the DMRF Board of Directors in August.
Dystonia is a disabling movement disorder that causes the muscles to contract and spasm involuntarily. The involuntary muscle contractions force the body into repetitive and often twisting movements as well as awkward, irregular postures. There are over a dozen forms of dystonia, and scores of diseases include dystonia as a symptom.
Founded in 1976, the Dystonia Medical Research Foundation (DMRF) is a 501(c)3 organization dedicated to serving all people impacted by dystonia. The mission is to advance research, promote awareness and education, and support the well-being of affected individuals and families. More information may be obtained by contacting the Dystonia Medical Research Foundation at 312-755-0198 or visiting www.dystoniafoundation.org
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