Idol Chatter & Voice Views

Preston C. Howell, 14, performs during his blind audition on The Voice Season 17. (NBC Photo)

And he not only earned a spot on the show, he turned four chairs before opting to join Team John Legend.

But fact is, Preston says he went to his first Season 17 audition not thinking this would be the year he wound up on the blind audition stage, performing in front of a national television audience.

Here’s what Preston, from Miami, Fla., told Voice Views about his blind audition and his other musical endeavors.

Voice Views: How did you wind up auditioning for The Voice Season 17 and what prompted you to do it? Especially at such a young age where you’ll be going up against so many experienced singers?

Preston: Funny you should ask! I went to an open call with my mom in Miami knowing that the (Voice casting) team does not always do open calls there, just for fun and to get the feel (so that when I was really, really ready, I would know what the audition process was like). I still don’t feel like I can compete with so many experienced singers, but it just took a life of its own and we just went with it!

Out of all the reality shows out there, for years I have said The VOICE is the only one I would do. I just love the show! I had never met or seen Michelle McNulty, so when she came out to greet the hundreds of audition hopefuls we didn’t realize she was THE CASTING DIRECTOR (lol). We are fans of the show of course, but had never met the casting team.

She was being her energetic wonderful self and as she was talking and walking around, we caught eyes and she literally had me do my audition right there! I had to sing and interview at the stadium in front of 3000 people! No lie, it was the most fun day ever. It was such an amazing experience, the crowd was so sweet they were on their feet cheering me on and their response after to my age was priceless. I guess she liked me because I was sent directly to the next-day callbacks and, well, the rest is history! It wasn’t until after the next-day callbacks and a little research by my mom that we realized who I had sung to! So it is definitely not an understatement to say that this journey has been nothing but special from the very beginning.

Voice Views: Why did you choose “Dream a Little Dream” for your audition song? Is that a song and a version you’ve done often?

Preston: “Dream a Little Dream of Me” has been around for a long time. Many, many artists have covered it; my favorites are Bing Crosby, Dean Martin, and Michael Buble. I fell in love with this song right away the first time i heard it. I love how it can sound and give off a different vibe depending on the style you sing it in. It is one of those songs that can be done any way or style and still sound great even whether a male or female sings it.

My mom grew up during the time the movie came out starring Corey Haim and Corey Feldman, and it is one of her favorite movies and they play the song at the beginning and so it has always been popular at my house. My dad sang a lot of standards when i was very young and so I naturally picked up this song which he sang a lot around the house.

To me the song is about someone who I might not see ever again, but they’re telling me not to forget them. There are some people like my friends or family that have moved away and I think of them sometimes; this song makes me think of them. Even though it has been sung a lot and mostly slow and soft, I was really hoping to make it my own. I enjoy high-energy songs so even though it is a simple song, I had hoped to make it big band sounding and serenade the audience so they felt like they are in a dream with me.

Voice Views: Why did you decide to join Team John? Did you have a preference heading into the blind audition? And, wow, four chairs — what was that experience like?

Preston: John was definitely my first choice. It was between him and Blake going into the blinds. I knew Blake was a big Buble fan so I liked that. John came as first choice though because I’ve been told his voice/style is most similar to mine of all the coaches; I have covered his songs and I have been told we both have similar tones.

My voice kept getting a little lower lol, and I love how he uses his head voice, but at my age I still need to conquer that! I went in feeling he would be best to guide me on how to do that or at least pick certain songs to help push my higher range knowing he has conquered that.

No lie though, Gwen, she was so amazing fighting for me that I almost changed my mind lol and Kelly, I was like “she is sooooo sweet”. I was not expecting four chairs. I mean who doesn’t want it, but for real I was just hoping for one. So when four turned I was literally speechless, confused and overwhelmed (as you saw…!!)

Voice Views: Are you still part of Miami Squadz, and can you tell me a little about that group?

Preston: I began singing solos at community events to gain experience performing live at around age 9/10, but when I was 12, during one of my first music videos where we incorporated other teenagers (Can’t Stop the Feeling), I met some incredible local dancers and Miami Squadz was born!

At the time I was going through a lot of male vocal changes ,and I really did not want to sing alone. I wanted people on stage with me. I was pretty insecure about singing solo, never knowing when my voice would crack, so I would invite them to do events with me; they are incredible dancers. It turned out to be wayyy more fun to perform with them and, if my voice gave out, no one noticed because they were so entertaining.

My mom kept telling us that our performances had to serve a purpose or it was a waste. So over the last two years Miami Squadz’s ONLY mission has been to perform for charity events around South Florida. We love to entertain and give back for great causes with fun upbeat music covers. Our favorites are those events that bring attention to special organizations like the Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital Foundation, Special Olympics, and Boys and Girls Club of Broward.

Voice Views: Also, you announced pretty recently that you’d been selected to be part of Acapop. Can you tell me a little about that project and what you’ve been doing/hope to do in that regard?

Preston: In 2018, 2 very exciting things happened. I had the honor of being cast to perform at the 2018 men’s semifinals match at the US Open- Nadal vs. Delpotro. I had never been to a US Open Match and it was unbelievable that I was able to sing America the Beautiful at this. It has been the biggest crowd I have ever performed live for.

And just after that, the creators of Pentatonix (Scott Hoying and Ben Bram) had an open casting call for a kids’ acapella group they were creating. After four auditions, I was cast as the male bass of the kids’ group and over the last year have been a part of many music videos that will soon be released! I am so thankful to Acapop for the experiences over the last year and for discovering this range I never knew I had!

See also …
Meet Preston C. Howell