Gary Wight, from Blaydon-on-Tyne, was diagnosed with MND in 2023 having experienced problems walking. After going through a number of tests, Gary, who has performed in bands across the North East for more than 40 years, was diagnosed with MND – a terminal, neurological condition which affects around 5,000 people in the UK at any one time.
While his diagnosis now means that Gary can no longer play the guitar, he is releasing his latest single Bound by the Beaton March 21 - the first release from his forthcoming album Journeys will start…journeys will end a collaboration between himself and some of his closest friends.
Gary explained: “I started playing the guitar when I was 15 or 16 years old. Over the years I’ve been influenced by musicians including Prince, James Brown and Stevie Wonder, but more recently I’ve been listening to a lot of Paul Simon.
“Since my diagnosis, music has helped me to process everything. You come up with an idea and find that you have expressed something in that moment. While I can no longer play the guitar, or sing, I mix the songs we put together. I like to stay positive and keep as busy as I can.”
The track, which is a commentary on humanity, features Paul Wight on drums, Ted Hunter on guitar, Jude Murphy on bass, double bass and flute, Alan Law on piano and Dawn Richards on backing vocals. The brass section features Dave Dunston, Dave Hignett, Dave Matthews and Dave Kerridge. All proceeds from the sale of the single will be donated to the MND Association, to help improve support for people living with MND and their families while funding vital research.
The MND Association’s Esther Fifield, who is supporting Gary’s fundraising efforts said: “Gary is an incredible musician, and we are so grateful to him, and the whole team involved, for choosing to support the Association in this way.
“Gary and his amazing family refuse to give up and neither do we. With the support of our fundraisers we are going further in the fight against MND – offering the care and support people living with MND need right now, while investing in the research which gives us the greatest hope for the future.
“We wish Gary the very best of luck for Friday!”
The single will be available to download at https://www.facebook.com/GaryWightMusic/
For more information about MND and the MND Association please visit www.mndassociation.org