Labelobit: Frances Preston

Frances Preston, former CEO of BMI records, has died.

Preston started her career in radio before joining BMI in 1958. Her major role was around artist royalties, and throughout her career she was active in trying to ensure songwriters received a fair share of the monies generated by their skills. Her enthusiasm sometimes worked against the broader public interest - she was part of the campaign to extend copyright periods under the U.S. Copyright Amendments Act of 1992.

Frances Preston was 83; she died from heart failure.