Michael Preddy's Biography |
 After
seeing a Smothers Brothers appearance with a symphony orchestra, people ask
about the man at the keyboard. His name is Michael Preddy, from Houston,
Texas. He began playing the piano at the ripe old age of three and by
sixteen had won the Texas-Oklahoma Young Artist Competition. After launching
his professional career with a debut at Carnegie Recital Hall, he went on to
earn his Master of Music degree from the University of Houston. During this
time he continued performing with his own bands and working with headliners
such as Pia Zadora, Vicki Carr, Anita Bryant and Tony Martin and Cyd
Charisse.While accompanying Tom and Dick on the piano, Mike conducts the symphony orchestra. Oftentimes he performs in his own solo spot, executing pieces that range from classical to ragtime. He’s equally at home in jazz, pop and country music as well. In addition, he’s highlighted in the show, matching humorous musical wits with the unpredictable Tom Smothers. That is perhaps one of his most challenging feats of all. In 1982, Michael began working with the Smothers Brothers and then appeared with them as “The Piano Player” on television shows such as Saturday Night Live, the Dolly Parton Show, the new Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour and the Boston Pops. He also traveled with Tom and Dick for several years for concert dates throughout the country as well as performances in Las Vegas, Reno, Tahoe and Atlantic City. Nowadays, Michael limits his tour trips to Smothers Brothers symphony orchestra dates, preferring to spend more time at home in California with his wife Michele and their two children, Vika and Daniel. |