Background
Preston, Frances Williams was born on August 27, 1934 in Nashville, Tennessee, United States.
Preston, Frances Williams was born on August 27, 1934 in Nashville, Tennessee, United States.
Degree (honorary), Lincoln College, Illinois. Degree (honorary), Berklee School Music.
With BMI (Broadcast Music Inc.), Nashville, since 1958, vice president, 1964-1985, senior vice president performing rights New York City, 1985, executive vice president, Chief Executive Officer, 1986, president, Chief Executive Officer, 1986—2004, president emeritus, since 2004. Board directors Bionovo Inc., since 2006.
Member Film, Entertainment and Music Commission Advisory Council State of Tennessee. Founding member board directors Leadership Nashville. Past president board directors John Work Memorial Foundation.
Chairman board directors Country Music Foundation, Inc., 1983-1985, trustee, past president, chairman building committee. Member Commission on White House Record Library, Carter administration, President's Panama Canal Study Committee, Carter administration. Board directors Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
Member administrative council International confederation of Societies of Authors and Composers. Vice president National Music Council. Past board directors Peabody Awards.
Honorary trustee National Academy Popular Music. President T.J. Martell Federation for Leukemia, Cancer and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome Research. Established Frances Williams Preston Research Laboratories for T.J. Martell Federation, 1993.
Board directors Rhythm & Blues Foundation. Member Country Music Association (life member board directors, Irving Waugh Award of Excellence), Nashville Symphony Association (past secretary, board directors), National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences Foundation (board directors, president's advisory board), Nashville Songwriters Association (life member, board directors), Gospel Music Association (life member board, past chairman, past president), American Women in Radio and television (past national director). Clubs: (Friars Foundation Applause award).
Lodges: Rotary (1st woman member Nashville club), Friars.
Children: Kirk, David, Donald.