Tens of thousands of singers and songwriters call Nashville home, but very few actually have what it takes to succeed in a big way. But one Nashville country act is proving that she does indeed have the right stuff, and is making an international name for herself without the benefit of a record deal of any kind. Unsigned and un-represented, singer-songwriter Van Preston has used hard work and grassroots promotion to distribute her music to the world, resulting in a strong fan base in Europe and a significant and growing amount of airplay on U.S. Radio stations, an unheard-of feat for an artist who doesn't even have a record deal.

Van Preston grew up in a small Arkansas town, discovering her love and talent for songwriting at the age of nine. The valedictorian of her class in a small Arkansas town, Preston earned a marketing and management Bachelor's degree in Minnesota before heading to Music City in 2004. Her music can best be described as rootsy country, with strong influences of Americana, rock, pop and folk. In the tradition of Dolly Parton, Emmylou Harris, Kelly Willis and Shania Twain, Van has crossed genre lines to create her signature style of hook-driven country music, kicked up by a strong-woman perspective and infectious energy.

Arriving in Nashville in July 2004, she set out to make a name for herself and has since made big strides toward achieving that goal: Van has had four top-20 hits in Europe since mid-2006, and three songs that have charted in the U.S. since December of 2006.

Her self-titled debut album, produced by Nashville hit writer Greg Crowe, was nominated for 2007 Country Album of the Year in Europe by the European CMA.

Van's song, "Bought Myself a Toy," was selected by Universal Records-Europe for inclusion on a country-music compilation CD scheduled for Europe-wide release in January of 2008. The music video is currently playing on Sprint VIDEO Mobile Voltage phones in London, Dublin, New York City, Miami and Los Angeles.

Van's current Radio single, "Forever Ago," is at 31 on the U.S. Country chart as of January, 2008, and has had airplay in major cities including Houston, St. Louis, Cincinnati, Raleigh-Durham and many others.

Her single "Tougher Than That" went to 25 on the US Country charts in October of 2007, with frequent airplay on large metro-area stations. It appeared in the Top 100 Country Hits of 2007? chart, with almost 18,000 radio spins in major U.S. markets.

Two of Van's songs, "Bought Myself A Toy" and "Someone Who Ain't Me", were among the top nine Country songs in the prestigious 2007 John Lennon Songwriting Competition. Van was also one was one of two writers chosen by the JLSC to perform at the Summer 2005 NAMM show.

As of August 2007, Van was ranked as the Top Unsigned Artist in Americana Music on myspace.com, one of the Internet's most-visited sites.

As of May 2007, Van was ranked as the 4 Independent Artist in Europe by more than 800 radio stations.

Van's song, "Someone Who Ain't Me," won an Honorable Mention in the 2007 CMT/NSAI Song Contest. In 2006, Van's song "What Goes Around" placed in the top 15 in the 2006 CMT/NSAI Song Contest, and was featured on cmt.com during March and April of that year. Van was a finalist in the 2005 UK Songwriting Contest.

Van has performed at Midwest Music Summit, Atlantis, the world-famous rock bar CBGB's, the Colgate Country Showdown, and at countless other venues and events. She will be touring Europe and Australia in 2008, in addition to her shows across the U.S.

Press Reviews

"Performing Songwriter"
Reviewed by Mare Wakefield
Every so often you'll hear a singer with so much unbridled joy in her voice, you can't help but smile. Van Preston will hit you this way with well-crafted lyrics to match her sassy soprano. Preston's self-titled release has a decidedly classic country flavor along the lines of Dwight Yoakum or Loretta Lynn. Sweet fiddle and pedal steel add just enough sparkle without detracting from the lyrics.

Highlights include "What Goes Around Comes Around" and the fast-paced "HeartBroke for The Last Time". But the cherry on top of this musical sundae is "Bought Myself A Toy." "When I'm missing you, I just snap that baby right out of the case and it gets rid of my blues," Preston sings over electric guitar and raucous drumming.

Music News Nashville
By Tina Swanson
Review of Van Preston's Self-Titled Debut Album

Van Preston (and friends) provide a wonderful up-tempo
collection of songs, beginning with "Tougher Than
That," written by Jimbeau Hinson and Greg Crowe.both
wonderful artists and songwriters themselves.

The entire CD keeps the tempo up. Her novelty song,
" Bought Myself A Toy," is unique, with an adult theme!
However, my favorites.in addition to "Tougher Than
That," include "Everthying I've Never Seen," and
" Absolutely Broken." Again, both up-tempo.

This is a very nicely produced CD, by Greg Crowe. If
you are looking for a CD that isn't slow and
depressing, this is a good choice for your collection.

"Music Row"
By Robert Oerrman
On Van's Debut Single, "Absolutely Broken",
"She has a lot of verve in her voice, and the song is quite catchy..."

AMC
American Music Channel
"Van Preston has developed a style that is both distinctive and radio friendly. Her debut video is dynamic and exciting, and if there's any justice she'll end the year as one of Nashville's premier new talents."

NMG
Nashville Music Guide
SEVEN OUT OF SEVEN STARS! Reviewed by Brad Fischer,
for Nashville Music Guide, Feb. 2006 issue

"This cute young lady has a voice as good as any female country artist in the business. Not only that, five of the ten songs on this CD were written by the artist. And she knows a good song when she hears one as is verified by the tunes she chose for this project. The cuts on this album are from some of the best songsmiths in Music City and finely produced by Greg Crowe for the independent "UnConVentional Records" label. I loved them all! Get your copy before Preston is the big country star she ought to be at www.vanpreston.com"

Countrystarsonline.com
Jim Weaver
There are many words one could use to describe Van Preston but the first 3 that came to mind were spunky, energetic and honest. I have never seen Ms. Preston in concert but I would be willing to bet you a six pack of coke that the audience is filled with loyal friends and fans singing along at the top of their lungs to every verse. The impression I get is a gal that loves the whole shootin' match, writing, performing and meeting the fans after the show. Van recently did some advertising for a road band and I hope all the pieces fell into place.

You'll find a bit of everything on Preston's self-titled debut CD including some upbeat, fun country rockers like "Piece Of You" and "Tougher Than That", to honest ballads including "Schizophrenic Heart" and "Forever Ago" Speaking of honest, maybe "Bought Myself A Toy" is too honest but it's a fun song that gets the point across.

Preston reminds me of a heyday-Tanya Tucker or a Jo Dee Messina with all the attitude, cuteness, and fun rolled into one little package called an entertainer.

KEOS Radio, College Station, TX
John Roths
"Thanks for the new promo of Van Preston's CD. You sure caught my attention! "What Goes Around" is excellent! Van has a voice that makes it hard to push the eject button; you've just got to finish the song..."