Frances W. Preston
{{Short description|American music executive (1928–2012)}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Frances W. Preston
| image =
| alt =
| caption =
| birth_name = Frances Loree Williams
| birth_date = {{Birth date|1928|08|27}}
| birth_place = Nashville, Tennessee
| death_date = {{Death date and age|2012|06|13|1928|08|27}}
| death_place = Nashville, Tennessee
| nationality = American
| other_names =
| occupation = Music executive
| years_active =
| known_for = Chief executive officer and president of Broadcast Music, Inc. (1986—2004)
| notable_works =
}}
Frances W. Preston (27 August 1928 – 13 June 2012) was an American music executive. She was the Chief executive officer of Broadcast Music, Inc. from 1986 to 2004. Preston was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1992, Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 2004 and Music City Walk of Fame in 2007. Apart from her inductions, Preston received the Grammy Trustees Award in 1998.
Early life and education
On 27 August 1928, Preston was born as Frances Loree Williams in Nashville, Tennessee. She completed a teacher's program at Peabody College.
Career
Preston started her career with WSM (AM) as a mail clerk and became a television host for WSM-TV. She then worked in event promotions for a precursor of the CMA Music Festival.{{cite magazine |last1=Morris |first1=Chris |title=Former BMI chief Frances Preston dies |url=https://variety.com/2012/music/news/former-bmi-chief-frances-preston-dies-1118055443/ |magazine=Variety |accessdate=3 September 2018 |date=13 June 2012}} Preston moved to Broadcast Music, Inc. in 1958 and launched a Nashville branch for the organization. She planned the creation of the BMI Country Awards and was promoted to vice president in 1964. She remained as vice president until she was named senior vice president of performing rights in 1985.{{cite web |last1=Petersen |first1=Erik |title=Frances Preston Dies; Pioneering Former President of BMI |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/frances-preston-dies-bmi-country-music-336998 |website=Hollywood Reporter |accessdate=4 September 2018 |date=13 June 2012}}
From 1986 to 2004, Preston was the chief executive officer and president of BMI.{{cite web |last1=Gilbert |first1=Calvin |title=Frances Preston to Relinquish Leadership of BMI |url=http://www.cmt.com/news/1486497/frances-preston-to-relinquish-leadership-of-bmi/ |date=21 April 2004 |website=CMT |accessdate=3 September 2018}}{{dead link|date=July 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} During her time as president, Preston was a part of the Copyright Renewal Act of 1992 and Copyright Term Extension Act in 1998.{{cite magazine|last1=Conniff |first1=Tamara |title=Shining A Spotlight On Women In The Industry |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fRQEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA6|magazine=Billboard |accessdate=13 September 2018 |page=6 |date=11 June 2005}} She remained as CEO until August 2004 and was named emeritus for the rest of 2004.{{cite magazine|last1=Holland |first1=Bill |title=Biz Bids Farewell To BMI's Preston |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=thAEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA6 |magazine=Billboard |accessdate=3 September 2018 |pages=6–7 |date=1 May 2004}} Outside of music, Preston served on committees for Jimmy Carter and Al Gore.{{cite encyclopedia |last=Korall |first=Burt |editor1-last=Kingsbury |editor1-first=Paul |title=Frances Preston |encyclopedia=The Encyclopedia of Country Music |year=2004 |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=0195116712 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=untabCgOVkgC&pg=PA422 |page=422 |access-date=3 September 2018}}
Awards and honors
In 1992, Preston was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.{{cite web|title=Frances Preston |url=https://countrymusichalloffame.org/Inductees/InducteeDetail/frances-preston |website=Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum |accessdate=3 September 2018}} Also that year, Preston received an honorary doctorate of music from Berklee College of Music.{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZwPBlztMsxgC&q=francis+preston+berklee+honorary+-edu+music&pg=PA68|title=A Nation of Opportunity: Realizing the Promise of the Information Superhighway|date=1996|publisher=U.S. Advisory Council on the National Information Infrastructure|language=en}} Additional inductions include the Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 2004 and the Music City Walk of Fame in 2007.{{cite web |title=Frances Preston |url=http://hof.doveawards.com/speaker-lineup/frances-preston/ |website=GMA Hall of Fame |accessdate=3 September 2018}}{{cite web |title=Frances W. Preston |url=https://www.visitmusiccity.com/walkoffame/stars/frances-preston.html |website=Music City Walk of Fame |accessdate=3 September 2018}} Outside of music halls, Preston was awarded the Grammy Trustees Award at the 40th Annual Grammy Awards and named to the Broadcasting and Cable Hall of Fame in 1999.{{cite encyclopedia |last=Binnicker |first=Margaret D. |title=Frances Williams Preston |encyclopedia=Tennessee Encyclopedia of History and Culture |date=8 October 2017 |url=https://tennesseeencyclopedia.net/entries/frances-williams-preston/ |access-date=3 September 2018}}
Personal life
Preston was divorced and had three children.{{cite news |last1=Fox |first1=Margarlit |title=Frances W. Preston, Defender of Songwriters' Copyright, Dies at 83 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/21/arts/music/frances-w-preston-defender-of-songwriters-copyright-dies-at-83.html |accessdate=3 September 2018 |work=The New York Times |date=20 June 2012 |page=A13}}
=Death=
Preston died from heart failure on 13 June 2012 in Nashville.
References
{{reflist}}
{{1990s Country Music Hall of Fame}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Preston, Frances W.}}
Category:American music industry executives