Leadership Music Lauds Preston for Her Career, Commitment
Frances Preston, music industry icon and charter member of Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center’s Board of Overseers, was honored last fall with the Leadership Music Dale Franklin Award for 2007.
During a sold-out event at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center in Nashville, the former president and CEO of Broadcast Music Inc. was honored for her leadership and dedication to the music industry during her distinguished career.
Proceeds from the event will support the Frances Williams Preston Laboratories at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, directed by Vanderbilt-Ingram’s director emeritus, Hal Moses, M.D. Moses thanked Leadership Music for honoring Preston and helping to direct funds from the evening to support cancer research.
“Frances’ legacy in the music industry is clear to all those who have worked with her, but I also can attest to the impact of her leadership on the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center,” he said. “Her gracious example of accepting nothing less than excellence in all she does inspires us every day to do better and to reach farther in our fight against cancer.”
Singer and songwriter Vince Gill hosted the gala, which was attended by well-known entertainers as well as leaders in business, politics and medicine. Performers and those giving video tributes included Sheryl Crowe, Clive Davis, Dolly Parton, Big & Rich and Al Gore. Preston’s favorite performance was given by her grandson, Taylor Preston, who serenaded her with “Forever Young.”
A Nashville native, Preston has influenced and nurtured the careers of thousands of songwriters, performers and publishers during her five-decade career at BMI.
She was most recently a consultant to BMI, focusing on the company’s international relationships and its public policy agenda. Retired from BMI, Preston continues her role as a music industry consultant and advocate for cancer research. She is president of the T.J. Martell Foundation, which founded and funds the Preston Laboratories.
– by Dagny Stuart |
