Idol Chatter & Voice Views

Preston C. Howell performs during the knockout round on The Voice Season 17. (NBC Photo)

The 14-year-old from Miami, Fla., accomplished the feat with a cover of “Dream a Little Dream of Me” by The Mamas and the Papas, landing a spot on Team John Legend.

He went on to win a four-chair showdown with Mendeleyev in the battle round, but came out on the short end of another with Marybeth Byrd in the knockouts.

Still, he received praise from the coaches for his performance of “The Way You Look Tonight.” And, be sure, we’ll be hearing more from the talented teen.

Even before his Voice audition aired, he’d landed a spot with Acapop, a youth a cappella group put together by the creators of Pentatonix.

Here’s what Preston told Voice Views about that and his time on The Voice.

Voice Views: What do you consider your biggest takeaway / lesson learned from The Voice experience?

Preston: Two big things I would say, although my parents always talk about this — still, I have seen that it is never about winning, but about what you do with the experiences you are given. Of course, one is always sad to “lose” or “not move forward,” but it’s been the weirdest loss because I have gained so much that doesn’t feel like I lost. The other is with the coaching with Usher and John Legend. That “in to me see” comment from Usher has really impacted me and it is something I look forward to continue to work on.

Voice Views: The battles and knockouts were filmed over the summer. What have you been doing musically since then and where are you hoping The Voice experience leads?

Preston: It has been very busy since, besides school and maintaining normal vocal, dance and acting lessons, there have been many appearances, performances, radio, TV, and magazine interviews. Not to mention all the fun watch parties and keeping up with the shows on TV.

As soon as I arrived home (literally the next day) I had a mall event performance for the Boys and Girls Club of Broward and then a Special Needs Fair for Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital. Since then, I have been spending time preparing for two other big special events — Boys and Girls Club Hollywood for the Stars and coming up, the Annual Diamond Angels Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital Fairy Tale Ball.

This year the theme is “Toy Story” and so I am opening with “I’ve Got a Friend in You,” a duet with my friend Ryan Bauta. Lawrence Welks Resort in San Diego invited my family out in December to perform for their Winter Wonderland, so I am now preparing and looking forward to that! These are all things that I really enjoy doing that VOICE exposure has helped with. And anything to support the causes I adore is a plus!

Voice Views: Can you provide some information about Acapop and what’s up with that project? Will fans be getting music from you in that form or another in the near future? If so, what can they expect?

Preston: Of course, happy to share about Acapop! It is 100% a cappella 100% kids. I auditioned a little over a year ago. It was a national open call led by the creators of Pentatonix: Scott Hoying and Ben Bram. After several video and then in person auditions, I was cast as the bass of the group.

We completed an album and the songs/videos have just started to be released. There are 25 kids in this original group and the songs feature different talent. You will start seeing me share more of that starting next week. There are currently open auditions for next album rounds.

I am so proud to be part of this group, we are a true family and I really think you can see that in the videos. What is really exciting is that they have partnered with Warner Music to release the album and group so I am really looking forward to the world seeing all the work we have done.

I am definitely interested in pursuing my own music as well, tbh a dream of mine is a Christmas album and my fans seem to be really hoping for that. I may be able to get a single in this Christmas, but definitely look out for something bigger for the 2020 holiday season. Meanwhile, I’ll continue being an Acapop Kid and exploring options for recording original music and/or acting for film and TV.

Voice Views: Is there anything else you’d like to add about The Voice experience?

Preston: We know the Voice casting team and Voice production team meet a lot of people along the way, season after season, and we are just one of them, but truly we were made to feel so special throughout the entire process! My life was changed because Michelle McNulty and her amazing casting team believed in me. I got to spend the whole summer with my dad bonding, singing together, and meeting the most incredible people.

From the travel and transportation teams, to the PO office, to the wardrobe/hair/glam teams, to the music team and the INCREDIBLE band led by Paul Mirkovich, to behind the scenes coaches and choreographers, to the minor’s school teachers and the actual producers of the show we are so thankful- THEY ARE AMAZING! I am still in awe at how everything comes together to make such wonderful episodes. AND last but not least, I was fed like a KING!!!

See also …
Meet Preston C. Howell
Preston talks about winding up on The Voice and his blind audition