Background Information

The post-war folk revival took many forms, and performers in the folk clubs and coffee bars absorbed many styles. Brian Preston cut his teeth and served his time in that revival, both as a solo artist and as a member of a number of very successful groups.

Over the last thirty years Brian has built up a vast repertoire of traditional, contemporary and comedy songs, which he presents with his own brand of humour.

For over a decade Brian paid his dues as organizer and resident of Preston Folk Club, before turning professional in 1973. To date he has made ten albums, one single and eight cassettes, appeared numerous times on local, national and international radio and television as well as playing in twenty one countries.

After many years as a professional folk entertainer, playing folk clubs, concerts, festivals, and universities throughout Britain and Europe, Brian worked in the Middle and Far East for a number of years entertaining Ex-Patriots and Nationals on the major International hotel circuit, with English, Celtic and American traditional and modern songs, music and his lop-sided humour.

On his return home Brian ran an entertainments agency for eight years, representing and managing artists for television, radio, recording, concert and club appearances, both at home and abroad.

Brian was elected Northern Branch Secretary, Vice Chairman then Chairman of the National Entertainment Agents Council. Brian also served on the Council’s National Executive Committee for two years. With the pressure of business, Brian could not travel as far, but continued entertaining in the folk clubs of his native northwest region.

With the turn of the century Brian retired from the agency business – due to chronic diabetes problems and triple bypass surgery – he then took two years R & R, mostly fishing and walking the dogs with his wife Jane. Then in 2003 he decided to ‘get back in harness’ and go back on the road to his first love ‘live music’. This time being selective and setting the pace himself.

The combination of personality, vocal and instrumental ability and years of professional experience, coupled with a vast repertoire of good music, razor sharp wit, countless stories, and a reputation for giving 100% on all his gigs, has led to Brian being regarded as one of the most popular ‘folk entertainers’ in Europe.

2006 sees Brian working solo and as a duo with multi instrumentalist/vocalist Phil Wignall.