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David McLaughlin

b. 1958

American multi-instrumentalist musician

FiddlerMandolinist
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About David McLaughlin

Born 1958. David McLaughlin is an American fiddler and mandolinist.

David McLaughlin is an American multi-instrumentalist. His mandolin prowess has helped clarify how Bill Monroe's style of playing can be applied to progressive bluegrass music.

Biography

McLaughlin was raised in the Washington D.C. area and now lives in Winchester, Virginia. He is the son of Nancy and Bill McLaughlin, who inspired his eclectic music tastes with their enthusiasm for blues and jazz. He is the younger brother of Peter McLaughlin, who sings and plays guitar with Laurie Lewis. He was also active in the jazz, classical, and rock and roll scene around D.C., playing guitar and drums as well as mandolin and fiddle. McLaughlin first played fiddle, then switched to mandolin.

During this time, McLaughlin also occasionally played fiddle with the band Patent Pending, which included Eldred Hill (mandolin), Rusty Williams (guitar), and Jim Steptoe (banjo).

Lynn Morris Band McLaughlin joined the Lynn Morris Band in time to play mandolin and guitar on their 1992 album The Bramble and the Rose along with Tom Adams and Marshall Wilborn.

Josh Crowe and David McLaughlin In 1993, McLaughlin formed a duo with guitarist Josh Crowe of the Crowe Brothers when Wayne Crowe took time off. Crowe and McLaughlin released one album Going Back on Rounder Records. They played and toured together for five years, singing Appalachian brother style harmonies.

Springfield Exit and the Stony Point Quartet McLaughlin currently performs with the band Springfield Exit, which also includes vocalist Linda Lay, guitarist David Lay, bassist Marshall Wilborn, and Tom Adams on banjo. Their debut album, That Was Then was released in 2015.

The Stony Point Quartet, featuring McLaughlin, Linda Lay, Billy Lux (bass), and Dudley Connell (guitar) often plays the same events as Springfield Exit, with a focus on gospel music.

Music instruction McLaughlin has produced an instructional video for The Murphy Method, and has hosted a Murphy Method Banjo Camp.

Personal life In 2006, McLaughlin suffered a severe hearing loss.

Discography With The Johnson Mountain Boys 1981: The Johnson Mountain Boys (Rounder) 1982: Walls of Time (Rounder) 1983: Working Close (Rounder) 1984: Live at the Birchmere (Rounder) 1985: We'll Still Sing On (Rounder) 1987: Let the Whole World Talk (Rounder) 1988: Requests (Rounder) 2002: At the Old Schoolhouse (Rounder)

With The McCoury Brothers 1987: The McCoury Brothers (Rounder)

Josh Crowe and David McLaughlin 1993: Going Back (Rounder)

With the Lynn Morris Band 1992: The Bramble and the Rose (Rounder) 1995: Mama's Hand (Rounder) 1999: You'll Never Be the Sun (Rounder) 2003: Shape of a Tear (Rounder)

With Springfield Exit 2003: Springfield Exit (Cracker Barrel) 2015: That Was Then (Patuxent Music)

With Stony Point 2003: Band of Angels (Cracker Barrel)

Music instruction 1991: Learn Bluegrass by Ear VHS, reissued on DVD (Murphy Method)

Also appears on 1983: Phyllis Boyens - I Really Care (Rounder) 1983: Hazel Dickens - By the Sweat of My Brow (Rounder) 1983: James King - These Old Pictures (Rounder) 1984: Delia Bell and Bill Grant - The Cheer of the Home Fires (Rounder) 1985: Tony Trischka - Hill Country (Rounder) 1985: Delia Bell and Bill Grant - A Few Dollars More (Rounder) 1986: Gloria Belle - Love of the Mountains (Webco) 1988: Delia Bell and Bill Grant - Following a Feeling (Rounder) 1990: Tom Adams - Right Hand Man (Rounder) 1995: James King - Lonesome and Then Some (Rounder) 1995: Tony Trischka - Glory Shone Around: A Christmas Collection (Rounder) 1995: Robin and Linda Williams and Their Fine Group - Good News (Sugar Hill) 1997: Delia Bell and Bill Grant - Dreaming (Rounder) 1999: Bob Amos - Wherever I Go (Hayden's Ferry) 1999: Marshall Wilborn - Root 5: Bass and Banjo (Pinecastle) 2002: Jesse Brock - Kickin' Grass (Pinecastle) 2006: Patrick McAvinue - Grave Run (Patuxent) 2007: House Of Fools - Live and Learn (Drive-Thru Records)

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Important facts

Birth century
Occupation
Fiddler, mandolinist
Nationality

People in David McLaughlin's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped David McLaughlin's

Frequently asked questions

Who is David McLaughlin?

American multi-instrumentalist musician

When was David McLaughlin born?

David McLaughlin was born on 12 February 1958 in Washington, D.C..

What is David McLaughlin's occupation?

David McLaughlin is a fiddler and mandolinist.

What nationality is David McLaughlin?

David McLaughlin is American.

Sources & further reading

Β· Wikipedia: David McLaughlin

Β· Wikidata: Q39074255

Β· DBpedia: David McLaughlin (musician)

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). David McLaughlin. https://biography.guide/david-mclaughlin-fiddler/

MLA: "David McLaughlin." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/david-mclaughlin-fiddler/.

Chicago: "David McLaughlin." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/david-mclaughlin-fiddler/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-20 Β· Spot an error? Report a correction.

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