We had the good fortune of connecting with Preston Cook and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Preston, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
Everything I’ve done that’s worth doing involves risk. When I moved to Nashville in 2017 I didn’t have a job or savings, so I had to figure out how to survive this concrete jungle. My favorite moments captured on stage or in the studio are improvised. I love that feeling of not knowing what comes next and stepping up to the occasion.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I’ve been playing guitar since I was 9 years old and writing music since I was 14. After I graduated high school I went to college for engineering, but quickly found my heart return to music. So I worked in the local warehouses until I could barely afford to move to the 615 and made the trek. Since then I’ve put everything I got into creating new and fresh sounds and connecting with as many people as possible. Music is the best way I know to make friends and share my feelings. It’s a therapeutic and creative outlet I can share with others. I couldn’t live without it.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
First off we’re hitting up Prince’s for the best hot chicken, and then cruising down Broadway over to Printer’s Alley. There’s so much to do downtown, it’d last a few days. Then we’d go hiking Radnor or Edwin Warner and see some of Tennessee’s awesome natural beauty. Then maybe another bar.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I’d like to dedicate this shoutout to Kyle Yorlets. He was my best friend since high school and we lived together my first year in Nashville. He sang in a band called Carverton until he tragically died in 2019. He was one of the hardest working and kindest people I’ve ever met.

Website: prestonleecook.com

Instagram: @preston.lee.cook

Image Credits
First image: Shayne Jacopian Bottom images: Chloe Delainey

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutTennessee is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.