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Tom Weber
ST. PAUL, Minn.

Minnesotan Billy McLaughlin on dystonia and re-learning the guitar

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Billy McLaughlin
Minnesotan and guitarist Billy McLaughlin. After developing a disorder called focal dystonia, McLaughlin had to relearn the guitar playing left-handed.
Courtesy Ryan Taylor

In the 90s, guitarist and Minnesotan Billy McLaughlin was a rising star as one of his albums cracked the top 10 on Billboard.

But he slowly faded away from the spotlight. Not because people had grown tired of his music, but because McLaughlin had developed a baffling disorder called focal dystonia. If you've ever heard of writer's cramp, that's a form of dystonia.

When it strikes, dystonia affects each person differently. For McLaughlin, it meant he couldn't play anymore.

The now 50-year-old is a Minneapolis Washburn High School graduate and now lives in White Bear Lake. He joined The Daily Circuit to talk about his comeback as a guitarist after his diagnosis.

McLaughlin's "Starry Night" concert performance will air Saturday night and Sunday afternoon on Twin Cities Public Television.

VIDEO: Billy McLaughlin and Orchestra Nova's Starry Night preview

Follow Tom Weber on Twitter: https://twitter.com/webertom1

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Billy McLaughlin
Minnesotan and guitarist Billy McLaughlin. After developing a disorder called focal dystonia, McLaughlin had to relearn the guitar playing left-handed.
Courtesy Ryan Taylor