Career
Allmusic noted that "Shannon"s speciality is a blend of Southern-fried soul and blues, and his albums and live shows - always with a horn section - are an eclectic mix of danceable, grooving tunes and slow, soulful ballads". Amongst the songs he has written are "Beale Street Boogaloo" and "Midnight in Memphis". He was born in Olive Branch, Mississippi, United States.
He relocated with his family to Memphis, Tennessee at the age of eight.
He began a full-time musical career when he secured a spot in Shirley Brown"s backing ensemble. In 1993, his own Preston Shannon Band played at the Long Beach Blues Festival in Long Beach, California.
After being spotted leading his own band in Memphis" Beale Street clubs, he signed to Rounder Records subsidiary, Bullseye Blues, and released his debut solo effort, Break the Ice in 1994. Then followed the Willie Mitchell produced efforts, Midnight in Memphis (1996) and All in Time (1999).
However, with no immediate follow-up available, Preston lost momentum.
After moving to Title Tunes, he released Be with Maine Tonight (2006). Shannon played at Memphis in May in both 2008 and 2011. In February 2012, Shannon appeared on season two of The Voice, singing "In the Midnight Hour".
Nowadays, he is a regular performer at B.B. King"s Blues Club in Memphis.
Shannon"s most recent album release was Dust My Broom (2014).
