About Me
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I've been blessed to play and sing since the age of three.
You don't know how glad I am God laid His hands on me.
I'm a strong believer. The music I play really isn't my
music. It comes from God through me and then out to you.
Thank You, Lord.
Billy Preston
1946-2006
Billy Preston's list of credentials is one of the most impressive in the music business. But long before he scored his first gold record, long before he formed the many wonderful associations he enjoyed with the world's top performers, and long before the world tours and stage appearances he particpated in as a rock & roll and soul artist, Billy was singing and playing gospel.
Billy's musical career began at the age of three, before his hands could span an octave. Billy would sit playing piano for hours at his church. Even as a child Billy knew that music was his life and that he could reach people through his piano and organ playing. By age six, Billy, standing on a wooden box, would conduct the 100 voice choir of The Victory Baptist Church in L.A.
Playing the role of W.C. Handy as a child, Billy found himself at age 10 appearing in the film, "The St. Louis Blues" with Nat King Cole, whose tv show Billy appeared on a year later, which featured Nat and Billy performing a vocal duet together, also taking turns on the organ. But despite his growing popularity and acclaim as a child prodigy and the super-stardom that later came his way Billy always remained humble.
"I think The Lord put me in this environment just to be an example and to witness to people. Low is the way. Humble is the way. That's the way I've always tried to be. You have to hear what people say, that 'you're great' and all that. That's fine, but only as long as you return the favor to them and say, 'It's not me, it's God working through me!' That's what I always try to do. I always try to put God first, even before I go onstage. I get together with the other band members before a concert and pray for God to use us."
With Billy's music comes his expression of a strong faith. It's no coincidence that his music traning began in the church. Billy has always used his dynamic talents to glorify his maker. The thread of Billy's faith has been woven throughout his musical career, where ever that career has taken him.
"Since the age of ten I've known The Lord. I've tried to live my life as God would be pleased... to expose the talent in such a big way that I will have the opportunity to do gospel in a big way. I just want to see the gospel spread in a big way, not just in the churches, not just to Christians, but to the sinners and to the people who probably would never get a chance to hear about Christ. I want to be used by God. As long as God gives me the opportunity, I will try not to fail The Lord."
