David McLaughlin
Best known for
Mandolin
David McLaughlin is a cornerstone of the Washington, D.C. bluegrass scene — a founding member of the Johnson Mountain Boys, one of the most acclaimed traditional-bluegrass revival bands of the 1980s, and one of the finest Bill Monroe-style mandolin stylists of his generation. Beyond the Johnson Mountain Boys, he has anchored the Lynn Morris Band, worked as a duet partner with J.D. Crowe alumnus Josh Crowe, and helped lead the more recent Springfield Exit and Stony Point Quartet.
- Born September 29, 1958 in Washington, D.C. Grew up in a musical family in the D.C. area; his father was a nuclear physicist who played banjo and guitar, and his mother played bass fiddle and piano. As a family they attended Appalachian festivals at Union Grove and Galax, Virginia in the early 1970s.
- Began banjo at age 5, then took up fiddle as his primary instrument before focusing on mandolin, heavily influenced by Bill Monroe. Brother of guitarist Peter McLaughlin (who plays with Laurie Lewis).
- Also active as a teen in D.C.’s jazz, classical, and rock scenes, playing guitar, drums, mandolin, and fiddle.
- Co-founded the Johnson Mountain Boys in January 1978 along with Dudley Connell (guitar/vocals), Frannie Davidson (banjo), Ed D’Zmura (mandolin), and Gary Reid (bass) — he played fiddle in the original lineup. Recorded the band’s first 45 rpm for Gary Reid’s new Copper Creek label in October 1978: “Johnson Mountain Hoe-down” b/w “When I Can Forget.”
- Left the Johnson Mountain Boys in fall 1978 to attend George Mason College; replaced on fiddle by 16-year-old Eddie Stubbs. Rejoined the band in early 1981 after Ed D’Zmura’s departure — switching to mandolin (with his vintage 1923 Lloyd Loar F-5) since Stubbs stayed on fiddle.
- Anchored the Johnson Mountain Boys through their full-time run of 150+ dates a year, appearing at Madison Square Garden, the White House, Carnegie Hall, and the Grand Ole Opry; the band toured Canada, England, Japan, China, Southeast Asia, India, and Africa. Released eight albums for Rounder including The Johnson Mountain Boys (1981), Walls of Time (1982), and Working Close (1983).
- During his Johnson Mountain Boys years, also played fiddle occasionally with the D.C. band Patent Pending.
- After the Johnson Mountain Boys’ farewell 1988 concert at Lucketts, VA and subsequent part-time reunions, joined the newly-formed Lynn Morris Band. Appeared on The Bramble and the Rose (1992), Mama’s Hand (1995), You’ll Never Be the Sun (1999), and Shape of a Tear (2003). Replaced in the Lynn Morris Band in 1999 by Jesse Brock (though he continued to sub).
- 1993: formed a duo with guitarist Josh Crowe of the Crowe Brothers (when brother Wayne took time off). Crowe & McLaughlin released Going Back on Rounder and toured for five years in Appalachian brother-duet style.
- Co-founded Springfield Exit with Linda Lay (vocals), David Lay (guitar), Marshall Wilborn (bass), and Tom Adams (banjo). Debut album That Was Then released in 2015. Also plays with Linda Lay in the Stony Point Quartet, featuring Billy Lux on bass and Dudley Connell on guitar, focused on gospel music.
- Operated a recording studio in Winchester, Virginia from 1994 to 2009. In 2006 suffered sudden, severe hearing loss; fellow musician Claire Lynch organized a benefit that raised over $7,000 for advanced hearing aids, which restored much of his hearing.
- Co-produced the Chris Henry guitar improvisation and Monroe-style mandolin Zoom/online courses with former Monroe acolyte Chris Henry. Has produced an instructional video for The Murphy Method and hosted Murphy Method camps. Inducted into the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame in 2020 as a member of the Johnson Mountain Boys. Lives in Winchester, Virginia.
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The Johnson Mountain BoysPlayed on recordings with The Johnson Mountain Boys
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The Bluegrass BandPlayed on recordings with The Bluegrass Band
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Lynn MorrisPlayed on recordings with Lynn Morris
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James KingPlayed on recordings with James King
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Tony TrischkaPlayed on recordings with Tony Trischka
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Crowe and McLaughlinPlayed on recording with Crowe and McLaughlin
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Hazel DickensPlayed on recording with Hazel Dickens