October 24, 2003

ON BILLY GILMAN, SINGER AND MDA NATIONAL YOUTH CHAIRMAN

Among the favorite moments of our recent Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon, one would have to include the appearances by Billy Gilman, the 15-year-old singing sensation who participated in the broadcast not only as a singer but also in his important new role as MDA National Youth Chairman.

In this position, Billy succeeds Mandy Van Benthuysen, now a graduate of Arizona State University in Tempe. Mandy, who has limb-girdle muscular dystrophy, did a superb job as MDA’s national youth representative over her six-year tenure and is now pursuing a career in the television industry in Los Angeles. (Mandy works behind the scenes on the syndicated “Dr. Phil” program and was instrumental in helping our 2003 Telethon obtain a videotaped appeal segment featuring a joint appearance by Dr. Phil and Mandy.)

Before taking on Mandy’s role, Billy Gilman, although only a teen, had already made a name for himself as one of our nation’s most celebrated new singers. In his short career, Billy has garnered four Billboard Music Video Awards and won the American Music Award for Favorite New Country Artist. His hit albums include his double-platinum debut, “One Voice,” and “Music Through Heartsongs,” his recent collaboration with 13-year-old poet and MDA National Goodwill Ambassador Mattie Stepanek.

This latter album, consisting of Mattie’s words set to music and sung with great feeling by Billy, has won numerous critical accolades. Billy sang two songs from the album on the Telethon, “I Am (Shades of Life)” and “I Could… If They Would.” The lyrics reflect Mattie’s tumultuous life struggle in the face of the mitochondrial myopathy that’s affected him and his family members. The deep spiritual awareness that’s resulted in Mattie has helped create a strong bond between these two very talented young men.

Although Billy had made previous appearances on MDA’s national Telethon broadcast as a performer, it was his friendship and creative partnership with Mattie that led to Billy’s deepening involvement with MDA and his appointment as MDA National Youth Chairman in April of this year.
In this capacity, Billy has already made numerous television, radio and print media appearances in behalf of MDA. In addition, he spoke in behalf of MDA and performed for 13,000 students and advisers at the DECA International Career Development Conference in Orlando, Fla., in April. DECA is a longtime MDA national sponsor.

And then Billy donned his Telethon tuxedo and, throughout the long hours of our 2003 broadcast, did a superb job greeting representatives of youth organizations and gratefully accepting their contributions to MDA.
Other appearances and speaking engagements lie ahead for Billy in the coming year, including, of course, his leading role in Telethon 2004.

Meanwhile, Billy’s work as a musician continues full speed ahead. Reportedly at work on a new album, Billy has also been delivering successful performances, such as his Oct. 2 concert at Foxwoods Casino in Ledyard, Conn.

Among the spectators at this recent concert were the Bourque family of Warwick, R.I. Eleven-year-old Shane Bourque (pronounced “Burke”) has Becker muscular dystrophy and appeared on the MDA Telethon’s national broadcast along with his mom and dad, Denise and Steve, and his sister, Kaylee. The family was featured live on the broadcast and in a videotaped profile.

The Bourques, who had befriended Billy at a pre-Telethon meeting in Los Angeles and later at the Telethon itself, visited with the singer backstage at Foxwoods prior to the October concert. By all reports, Billy and the Bourques were delighted to renew their friendship.

An excerpt from a review appearing in the New London, Conn., newspaper, The Day, attests to the success of the event and to Billy’s growing sangfroid in front of large crowds: “Gilman talked with a sharp wit to the near capacity crowd of kids, parents and grandparents throughout the performance. He joked about the ‘complicated’ process of voice change and mocked his own young age by saying he feels ‘like it’s not really me’ when singing of love and women.”

The review went on to say: “The teen with an honest love of music and a powerful new voice performs with an infectious enthusiasm. He doesn’t need to make outrageous videos or statements to promote himself.”

Singer and MDA National Youth Chairman Billy Gilman, center, spends time before a recent concert with the Bourque family: Steve, Denise, 8-year-old Kaylee and 11-year-old Shane, who has Becker muscular dystrophy.

During the concert, Billy took the time to speak about his friendship with Mattie and his new involvement with MDA. Denise Bourque, watching the show with her family, was impressed not only by Billy’s talent but also by his eloquence and commitment to MDA.

“Seeing him reaching all these people and talking about MDA was awesome,” said Denise.

Shane echoed his mom’s sentiments, saying the concert was “awesome” and adding: “It was really touching when he dedicated the song to Mattie.”
Like the Bourque family, all of us at MDA are touched by Billy Gilman’s dedication to our cause, and grateful for it.

Billy is proving to be an admirable liaison for MDA with the youth of America. And like the very best of America’s young people, he demonstrates a generosity of spirit and an excellence of character that bode well for America’s future – and for the success of MDA’s mission.

With every best wish...

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