Musician Treatment Foundation

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Musician Treatment Foundation

We assist in providing surgical and related care for the shoulder, elbow, and hand injuries of under- and uninsured professional musicians.

04/29/2026

Meet Craig Smilowski, a heavy metal drummer from Florida 🤘

Craig suffered from Carpal tunnel syndrome since the mid-90s. Then he reached out to MTF and scheduled surgery with Dr. Alton Barron.

“I was given a choice of music to listen to during the procedure. I thought, 'Rush and Led Zeppelin.' Channeling the drum gods during surgery ultimately created a relaxed & focused atmosphere. It was about the ability for me to continue to create and evolve without the perpetual numbness & tingling that was so debilitating. My post-surgery possibilities are limitless!"

Find out more about Chris' recovery story, his myriad drumming influences, and read about other artists who MTF has helped keep the music playing via the CARE page on our website.

04/23/2026

In 2022, we launched our MTF Spotlight Concert Series at Beerburg to showcase some of our talented beneficiaries -- and to raise awareness for our mission to help injured musicians keep the music playing.

Our first of four events featured two guitarists with distinct styles -- the bluesy rock of Van Wilks and the Latin flavor of Luis Angel Ibanez -- and served as a celebration of live music resurfacing in our Austin community ❤️

04/21/2026

We are so proud of MTF beneficiary Somebody Someone, who was recently featured on NPR Music's Tiny Desk Top Shelf!

Congratulations Aubrey

04/20/2026

Team MTF recently celebrated a joy-filled evening at ACL Live with the inspiring Samara Joy and her brilliant jazz ensemble!

Samara's star seems to rise with each performance, and we're blessed to have seen her in concert more than once to witness that rise in person.

Find out more about this Grammy-award winning jazz singer and check out upcoming tour dates at samarajoy.com

04/15/2026

Just like musicians rely on their road crew to ensure all equipment & instruments are ready to go for each performance, MTF relies on donations from generous music lovers like you to help musicians suffering from upper limb injuries get specialized care.

Please consider supporting us all year long by joining the MTF Road Crew with a monthly donation. Your giving will help a professional musician receive the orthopedic care they need to keep the music playing for us all!

Find out how you can donate now via the link in the Comments below.

04/14/2026

MTF especially loves to see our beneficiaries appearing regularly at some of our fave local venues in Austin. Hilary York Music keeps the music playing monthly at C-Boy's Heart & Soul. Catch Hilary live, Sunday, April 19 at 7:30!

04/10/2026

Did you know MTF helps under and uninsured musicians effectively get treatment for their upper limb injuries?

When beneficiary Barbara Nesbitt tore a tendon in her elbow, playing guitar became impossible. "MTF has treated me like family. Everyone has been kind & sympathetic to my pain. Dr. Barron has been an absolute treasure. From making the appointment to surgery & post-care, it has all been easy and smooth…and very affordable."

Barbara has kept the music playing ever since, and now she's bringing her monthly Monday Night Supper Club with Ben Jones to Captain Quack's Bakery and Coffeehouse starting Wednesday April 15 with special guest Christine Albert!

If you're a working musician with a hand, shoulder or elbow injury or suffering from chronic pain, visit the CARE page of our website to find out more about how MTF can help!

04/06/2026

We love our friends Jenifer Jackson and Jon Nortathomas, two talented mainstays in the Austin music scene.

Jenifer is an MTF beneficiary who's been keeping the music playing ever since Dr. Alton Barron repaired her injured shoulder. "He was my knight in shining armor. I was about to take out a bank loan for treatment – I couldn’t work, play music, or even sleep well due to pain. He really saved me."

Jon is an MTF artist supporter who can often be found performing alongside Jenifer.

You can see these two magnificent humans at upcoming local shows:
-April 7: Jon with The Rubilators at Sam's Town Point
-April 10: Jenifer w/Jon at HOLE IN THE WALL
-April 15: Jenifer w/Jon at Women of Song BLMF Series at 602 Brewing in Bastrop

04/03/2026

Meet MTF beneficiary Monte Warden -- guitarist, songwriter, Texan.

“When I broke my shoulder, I was unable to play guitar at all. I was booked on Grand Ole Opry and the first surgeon we consulted said I wouldn’t play for NINE MONTHS. A few weeks later, I saw Dr. Barron, who assured me he’d have me onstage with my guitar in seven weeks! He did. This cat’s a miracle-worker."

Monte's honky-tonk band The Wagoneers recently released their first single in decades & return to The Opry on April 18! You can also catch Monte in Austin every month at Parker Jazz Club with his jazz combo The Dangerous Few.

Read more about Monte's recovery story -- and how MTF helps musicians with upper limb injuries keep the music playing via the CARE page on our website.

04/01/2026

We love MTF supporter Terry Lickona and his iconic Austin City Limits

03/30/2026

On National Doctors’ Day, we honor physicians for their dedication to patient care and community health.

We’re especially grateful for MTF’s Physicians for Musicians network — dozens of skilled doctors providing care to injured professional musicians, regardless of insurance or ability to pay.

Led by Dr. Alton Barron, their expertise and compassion help our beneficiaries get the specialized orthopedic care they need to keep the music playing.

03/25/2026

MTF was grateful to take part in the Austin Music Awards, where we always look forward to seeing old friends and making new ones, too.

The AMAs and Antone's always put on a great fete to showcase some of the best & the brightest in our Austin music community — including the legend Soulman Sam Evans.

Congrats to this year’s winners and a big thank you to all the folks who put this event together at a time when Austin needs music and joy more than ever ❤️

Address

44 E 32nd St
New York, NY
10016

Website

http://mtfusa.org/

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About the Musician Treatment Foundation

Musician Treatment Foundation was founded in late 2017 as the first nonprofit of its kind – in design, scope, and breadth – to assist in providing free specialized upper limb treatment and continuity of care for needful musicians at home and on tour.

To date, MTF has made it possible for dozens of uninsured and under-insured professional musicians in Austin and NYC to receive free orthopedic surgical and nonsurgical shoulder, arm, and hand care that would otherwise have cost over $1 million in total.

Now, we are building a nationwide network of ~100 orthopedic surgeons, hand-picked for their ethics and expertise, to join our efforts and help more musicians around the country.

MTF is overseen by a distinguished board of directors that contributes keen expertise in business, design, education, healthcare, law, technology, and of course music. The board is chaired by the founder, renowned orthopedic surgeon O. Alton Barron, and includes the legendary Elvis Costello, Diana Krall, and other luminaries in their respective fields.