- Is a descendant of President Thomas Jefferson whose only surviving brother Randolph was Preston's great-great-great-great-grandfather. Preston's mother Margaret Emma Boyd Smith is named for her grandmother Margaret Jefferson Boyd (a great niece of President Jefferson).
- Was class salutatorian, president of the National Honor Society, and drum major of the band (played French horn and trumpet) at Williamsburg Academy, Kingstree, South Carolina, where he later returned to teach and be assistant headmaster.
- Planned and played the music for the televised wedding of Star Jones (of ABC's "The View") as well as the funeral of Mrs. Walter Cronkite (collaborating with Hillary Clinton, eulogist) at New York City's Saint Bartholomew's Church, Park Ave.
- Completed pre-med studies after his Bachelor of Arts at Furman University. Taught high school biology and chemistry, worked at two hospitals in the ER and peds clinic, then briefly attended The University of South Carolina School of Medicine, on scholarship, with plans to become a pediatrician. Withdrew first semester and returned to teaching for two years before entering music conservatory in Princeton, NJ.
- Has done stand-up and sketch comedy at Broadway Comedy Club with Beverly Bonner.
- Cried and refused to show up at tap dancing class as a child (after parents had already signed him up and paid), but agreed to piano lessons instead. As an adult studied tap and jazz 3 years in New York City with Linda Rose Iennaco.
- Played piano for Oprah Winfrey when she was in Charleston to film her new talk show following the 1989 Hurricane Hugo (which had devastated the Carolina coasts).
- Made Carnegie Hall debut as pianist in October 2013, playing works of Poulenc and Liszt.
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