Marshall Fields
Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to another episode of PCHATP where today we're gonna explore the transformative power of music. I'm your host, Marshall Fields, and we have a very special guest. He is an accomplished music producer, director, American baritone, lecturer at the University of Kentucky. Those talents have taken him to the world's most prestigious stages. Please join me in welcoming internationally known Dr. Michael Priestley.
Michael Preacely (01:47.722)
Hey, thank you so much, Marshall. Wow, what a heck of an introduction. I didn't realize that I did all that stuff. It's a pleasure to be here with you and to be chatting with you here today.
Marshall Fields (01:59.709)
Well, it's definitely my pleasure. In addition to all of his incredible credentials, he's also my friend. So I just thank you for joining us. It's an honor to have you here and to get to pick your brain and just get to know you better and then also talk about some things that I help folks unpack how the world has been impacted by your music and also how your world has been impacted.
Michael Preacely (02:08.779)
Yes.
Marshall Fields (02:28.917)
So I just wanna hop right in. Your career is truly remarkable, you know, and you're one of those friends that I'm like, yeah, that's my friend. I know that guy. But you've had a significant impact on the world of music. So I'm curious, what impact has the world that you live in had from music? How has music impacted your world? Could you tell us about your journey and how you discovered your passion for performing.
Michael Preacely (02:30.407)
Absolutely.
Michael Preacely (03:01.318)
Absolutely. First of all, you, Marshall, definitely are a wonderful friend and not only a friend, but you are a trailblazer in this community as well. In the community at large, just your presence and what you believe in is paramount to the forward movement of our society. And for that, I am grateful and I appreciate you. And here I am.
part of that experience. You are a part of my world, you know, my experience, the people with whom I've impacted and who have impacted me. Music has played a vital part in my life. You know, when I started out on the musical path, I didn't know that everything that I do would be associated in some way, shape or form with my voice. I knew that I had some type of gift, largely because it was told, not necessarily because I was born with it.
That's what I heard in my own voice. But eventually when someone tells you something long enough, you begin to believe it. And as you begin to believe it, you begin to cultivate it in a way that is acceptable to you and ultimately acceptable to others as well. And so that's been my life. That's been my plight. I've found myself singing for someone or group of people or thousands of people at one time.
and the effect that it has on the crowd and the mood that changes in the room and all these things, the boost bumps that I get and others get from me performing and that has been truly a blessing to know that I have that type of gifting and you know I've been wanting to share that not only with the people around the world but be able to teach others to tap into some of that.
potential as well and it has been a journey in so many ways. From the beginnings of my time in Chicago to moving to New Jersey to moving over to this amazing bluegrass Kentucky and now as I rest here in Kentucky and build on the future generations it's been a wonderful journey.
Marshall Fields (05:15.617)
Well, I can tell you, just speaking as someone who's been an audience member listening to you perform, you're spot on. You definitely reach into people's souls when you sing. And I know that it's okay to cry. I don't have a problem crying, but I don't cry often. But I can tell you, on more than one occasion, when I've heard you perform Usa cheme and amazing grace, you just, you've hit me. And I'm like, first of all, I'm not supposed to be in my feelings right now like this. I don't appreciate it. There's dust, it's allergy season. I don't know what's going on, but I mean, that's a power. That's a power because so many of us, and just speaking as a man, so many of us are disconnected with some of our feelings. So to be able to evoke something that people can't even evoke themselves. That's like a superpower. And it is.
Michael Preacely (06:13.71)
Mm-hmm. Ha ha. I think that's part of what we do, Marshall. Part of what we do as human beings, we should be able to, you should be able to go into a bank and sit with a bank teller and be touched. You should be able to go to the store and a butcher, be touched by the way that meat was cut, just to perfection.
You know, I think the love and care and commitment that one gives to their crafts lends a certain amount of response from the person who's receiving on the receiving end of that love and that care and that work. I've been in countless situations where people have moved me, not necessarily in the arts, but in their craft, in their thing, whatever that is that they are doing.
and they've touched me tremendously based on the commitment and love and what they put of themselves into what they do. And I think that's so important. When I get on stage, I don't count it robbery to be there at that moment. I have a job to do, and I don't take it lightly at all. I take it very seriously. Sometimes people get on me because of my serious nature of my look, but it's not the serious nature of the look.
but the intent with which I put into my music to make that moment special for those who have the opportunity to be there to hear. I consider myself to be a live performer more so than a recorded one. It is sometimes it's hard to replicate what you've done live in a recording because it's live, it's for the people in the room and it's for that moment in that time. And I'm a firm believer in that.
Marshall Fields (07:42.541)
potential.
Marshall Fields (08:09.793)
I'm gonna agree with you on that and just take it to, you know, the world that I live in, there have been many a times where I have said something during a seminar or delivered something during a workshop. And then I go to make a video of that thing sitting in my desk, in my office, nobody around. I'm like, it just does not feel the same. I can't, it doesn't hit the same. I'm like, man, that's...
Michael Preacely (08:33.424)
just doesn't hit the same.
Marshall Fields (08:37.673)
It felt different when I was talking to people and connecting with people. So that makes sense. That, you know, I get where you're coming from. I think being able to sing and create music is similar to being able to have a good conversation or create a delicious meal, like food or words, you know, music is consumed as well. Even so, most music and culinary artists, they have guilty pleasures. Like for example, Gordon Ramsay,
Michael Preacely (08:55.434)
Cool. Yeah.
Michael Preacely (09:00.558)
Hmm.
Marshall Fields (09:07.681)
world renowned chef. He loves a good old double cheeseburger with all the fixings. Wolfgang Puck, equally famous and talented. He likes a simple pizza, hold the red sauce. From a musical standpoint, do you have like a fast food version of music that you enjoy listening to? Kind of like a auditory guilty pleasure?
Michael Preacely (09:29.542)
Ooh, that's good, I like that. You know, I'm so eclectic in my musical tastes that it's hard to pinpoint exactly what that is. But for the purposes of time, so I have to think about it very long, you know, 90s rap is something that I love. I always have, you know, I love the messages behind it. I love a lot how smooth the MCs are.
And the bad part about it is that, you know, like, when you say an MC's name, then I'm like, oh, yeah, that's right. That's that person's name. I don't remember anybody's name. I swear I've never had. I'm horrible at remembering names of artists. Isn't that bad? My family, they're very, very good at that. But I do remember a tone that I hear, a lyric that I've heard, and it just moves me. That's a guilty pleasure. I find myself putting...
that type of music every now and then when I'm riding in my car sometimes a little I let down all the windows open up the moon roof and just Blast and just you know, right. I don't do that to Vivaldi or
Marshall Fields (10:45.193)
As soon as you said 90s rap, I thought of this song, Tennessee. And, um, speaking of not being able to remember names, I can't remember the name, but I tell you what, I'm going to edit it in and I'm going to put a picture of it, uh, to promote it as, as a form of, uh, forgiveness. See here it is. So, uh, but no, um, the, the rhythm, like, take me to another place. Take me to another land.
Michael Preacely (10:56.312)
Ah!
Michael Preacely (11:04.459)
Yeah.
Michael Preacely (11:11.65)
Yeah. Yeah, buddy. No, that. Yeah. Dickable planets. That's one of my big groups. I love that.
Marshall Fields (11:15.673)
All right, so anyway, 90s, I get you on that. So just talk about.
Marshall Fields (11:25.654)
diggable.
Michael Preacely (11:27.531)
Is Pickable a digital? One of them.
Marshall Fields (11:29.537)
digital planets, diggable planet. I think it might be diggable, but I know who you're talking about. Mm-hmm, yep, feel that. All right, so just getting back to some of your skills and kind of how they translate, your ability to cross between genres, it's kind of ridiculous, it's very impressive, but you effortlessly transition from
Michael Preacely (11:33.814)
thick as diggable planets. Yeah.
Marshall Fields (11:58.221)
classical, repertoires to pop, contemporary, and Broadway. So do you feel like that transition, that ability to transition is kind of like a metaphor for life and the genres that we face during different seasons?
Michael Preacely (12:14.098)
Absolutely, you know, that's one of the reasons why I'm starting my organization here in Lexington We'll probably get to this later on in our time together but uniting voices Lexington the primary point of that organization is really to cross genres to really pull from all parts of who we are as people as Country as a world, you know I mean you go to any parts of the globe and you're gonna hear all different types of music with an idea
Our young people listen, they listen to, I mean, my children's Spotify and YouTube is like ridiculous in terms of their eclectic nature. You have anything from Frank Sinatra to the newest hip hop group that's popular right now, wherever that is, because that's just not my thing. But I can appreciate that. I can appreciate the different types of genres.
and being able to sing them because they are part of us as human beings and I also find When I am hired to perform The trumpet shall sound on the same Program as this Christmas. I actually did that like last Christmas. So I'm singing the trumpet shall sound And the dead shall be raised to hang
I'm gonna get to know you better. And that's who I am. That's part of my pedigree, part of my DNA. My grandmother raised me on all different types of music. And so all of that is in this data bank. And I'm able, I'm so blessed to be able to sing that to people and for people and for myself in ways that really give good meaning
good, what is that word I'm looking for, integrity to the styles of music.
Marshall Fields (14:16.967)
So do you listen to country music ever?
Michael Preacely (14:20.154)
I don't necessarily listen to my son Joshua. He's turned me into a couple country. The wonderful thing I love about country music and I'm not a fan in of all at all by no means. The same thing I'm not a fan of all hip hop. Not of all R&B either, you know. There are several, I mean, what is that guy named? Well, what's his name? Clint Black is one of my favorite all time country stars.
Garth Brooks, love him, love the storyline. I love the huskiness of his voice. And the new one, African-American young man, Dane, I forget his name, young guy. Yeah, but he's really, really good. I mean, I love the lyrics, love his voice, so smooth. I love the twang of the voice. Some things, sometimes I just really like, I like mellow.
Marshall Fields (15:03.085)
I know who you're talking about.
Michael Preacely (15:18.394)
I call it in the pocket instruments. They really move me a great deal in country music.
Marshall Fields (15:24.041)
Okay. So we've talked a lot about music and we're gonna get back to that for sure. But not only things that we hear, but things that we see can, you know, help us get to know people and kind of get to know what their world, what their universe looks like. So let's talk about what you posted. All right. So.
Michael Preacely (15:48.526)
I'm never posting again after this. Oh, I can post that.
Marshall Fields (15:54.452)
You have way too many life experiences not to be posting and sharing it with others.
Michael Preacely (15:59.246)
I'm horrible at that. I need a Facebook or YouTube person, I mean, an Instagrammer to help me with posts because there are so many pictures that I would love to put out there to tell so many wonderful stories not just of myself but of different people who I've met over the years. Yeah, but this is a great picture. Pictures. Well, my wife and my family, my wife, I have three boys. One who's about to start college here in the fall.
Marshall Fields (16:04.351)
I feel you.
Marshall Fields (16:15.681)
Yeah. So what's going on here?
Michael Preacely (16:29.046)
going into his last year of middle school, and another one who's in third grade, going into the third grade. We all had the chance to go to Egypt last year, last summer, it's been a year, I can't believe that. And those pictures that we see are actually on a cruise. We took a cruise. No, the first one is in Cairo. It's behind there, believe me, is the tomb of the kings. And there are all different kings who are buried, and some of them,
We don't even know where the graves are. They're all under this underground tunnel of graves that are still yet being discovered today. And in the back is the pyramid of the kings. And those are just two, those two statues, I'm not sure exactly what it is, but it's a grave site that we went to and we thought that was a great picture and we took it. To the right is a picture of a sunset on a Nile cruise that we took, my wife and I.
I couldn't resist that amazing sunset. And I'm like, we gotta take this picture. And so my youngest son, my oldest son, he took that picture of us, my wife and I on that. No, my middle son, he was with us. The youngest and the oldest were still on the ship. They still on the ship. They didn't even come on the excursion. But...
Marshall Fields (17:46.745)
I think once you have more than two kids, names are odd to know. I've had to go, you know who I'm talking to. Yeah.
Michael Preacely (17:53.031)
Right, right, right. You know who I'm talking about, that one. But man, I mean, Marshall, that was a life-changing experience for my boys and also for me, for us as a family. I thought that was great for us to experience, all five of us, for us to experience that together, to see all of these amazing, you know, parts of history, parts of African history was really breathtaking.
And and we you know, and I was there with the Chicago Children's Choir, which is great as well Oh another one, huh? So you want to talk about this one too? Just this summer Just this summer I had a chance to man, that's a really nice pic. I remember taking it I didn't I did that post that no someone posted it But anyway, I had a chance to actually sing
Marshall Fields (18:28.013)
Uh-huh. Oh yeah, what's going on? I mean, y'all look sharp.
Marshall Fields (18:41.804)
You did.
Michael Preacely (18:49.006)
with the opera Omar, which recently won a Pulp Surprise by a very good friend of mine, Rhiannon Giddens, whose face is underneath the sold out marker. She was the musical director for the Ojai Music Festival in California. And it was amazing. The character that I played was recently off the ship, the slave ship, and he basically was talking about he couldn't breathe. He couldn't, I mean, he didn't know who he was.
he was, he didn't know where he was, he didn't know his name. And then he ends this whole aria with, I had a mother once. And that was so powerful because it reminded me of...
Michael Preacely (19:38.091)
all these different names are popping into my head on the knee, the neck. George Floyd. It reminded me when George Floyd said, cried for his mother. It was talking about how he couldn't breathe and that, I mean it was so vivid and just that whole experience took me on an amazing journey of African people.
from Africa to America and that whole process. It was very touching, very amazing to be with some phenomenal world renowned artists and to make music together. So I've had some great journeys, that was the most recent one that I had this past summer.
Michael Preacely (20:23.09)
And actually, oh, yes. You know, the two guys on the end, Cliff Jackson and Everett McCorby, two giants in my life since I've been here in Kentucky, is when I met both of them. And they have poured into me in ways that I couldn't possibly imagine one would pour into another. They've given me so many wonderful life skills, not only as it pertains to my family, but also my career.
Marshall Fields (20:23.197)
How about that?
Michael Preacely (20:53.154)
Cliff Jackson has just prepared me for a debut role that I'm gonna be doing here in a couple of weeks. I'm a Nazo and Aida and just his wisdom has been boundless and I love him for that. And his love for Christ as well. As you know, I'm a believer and my faith is very much part of who I am in so many different ways. And I carry that through every facet and every fiber of my being. And he has been so instrumental in
in proclaiming his faith and his profession. And that's been great. And Everett McCorvey, I mean, who? I mean, everyone knows Everett. Just a pillar in the community. He's mentored me and continues to mentor me in so many wonderful ways. And that has been priceless information that I've received from him. And the gentleman right next to me, his name is Tyler. He is a young man who's coming up.
who I had the pleasure of teaching. He was in my class this past semester. And so I've seen him grow over the past couple of years. He's known me for a long time, but I've had just to plan for about a year and a half and actually talking to him on a more regular basis and mentoring him as well. But just to see the future, he is truly the future of African-American men in our profession. And what a wonderful future we have ahead of us based on who he is and his amazing talent.
So great picture. Thank you, Marshall. But they all tell really fantastic. That was actually the performance of a doctoral student here. Her name is Jasmine Salavarios. She did a whole program that was very eclectic and it pulled from all different genres, spoken word, music, orchestra. We had a choir there and it was about the story of Jesus Christ.
Marshall Fields (22:24.905)
Yeah. Were you at a church service or?
Michael Preacely (22:51.822)
through the beginning, not through the birth, but through his crucifixion and to now. And it was just really touching, the story. Very, very, very great. And I had the opportunity to sing in it and Everett conducted and...
Michael Preacely (23:08.854)
Tyler, he played trombone. He plays trombone.
Marshall Fields (23:15.501)
Okay. So the next one is probably one of my favorite images that I found as I was trolling you on Facebook.
Michael Preacely (23:31.144)
Yeah, that's a fun image. You know, that's from... we have an amazing program here in Lexington called Grand Night for Singing. And I don't even remember what I was singing. Then I was singing something that's pretty serious.
Marshall Fields (23:51.857)
I know I heard your performance, this isn't it, because you were dressed differently. Actually, no, you were similar to this, but you had your tie undone and your performance of Minnie the Moocher.
Michael Preacely (23:57.14)
Right.
Michael Preacely (24:04.074)
Ah, yeah, oh yeah, I had a different suit. Yeah, I had on a suit. A zoot suit is what we call that thing. For many of the Moocher. Yeah, I, that, you know, so I've had the pleasure to be one of the future soloists in Grand Night for singing old for the past about six years or so. And I sing, you know, they call it a ninth hour song almost every show.
Marshall Fields (24:06.65)
Uh huh, uh huh.
Suit suit. That's right.
Michael Preacely (24:30.25)
And it's that song that happens where people need to change, but we need to keep the attention of the audience. And that's my job. And I go out there and I sing, and I've had some amazing pieces. I mean, I've done many Demoucher, as you say, I've done Go the Distance, I've done a song from Stars, a song from Les Mis called Stars. This past year, I did a very interesting song and it was called I Am When I Am. And it was from the musical La Cajafal.
And it's about that particular piece was it's basically a drag show, dressing in drag and this particular song came at a point in the character's life where it's like I am, you know, I am who I am. You know, I'm not necessarily that person who's on drag, dressing in drag, but I'm this person as well. I'm that person. And I took it from the perspective of I am, you know, I'm Michael.
You know, I'm an African-American male living in this society. I have these accomplishments. I'm trying to do more. I am what I am. And it was very well received from the audience this past year. Great, wonderful time I had. I love that.
Marshall Fields (25:43.921)
You, when I'm listening to you, I am who I am, it's making me think of this is me from the greatest showman. So yeah, I get you on the feeling and the sentiment.
Michael Preacely (25:54.878)
Ah, yeah, yeah.
Marshall Fields (26:03.273)
of that music. So thank you for entertaining some of my inquisitions as I totally went into your social media and got all in your business. I appreciate it.
Michael Preacely (26:14.562)
Well, that's exciting. You know, I mean, you had a very good point, Marshall. One of the things you said is, you know, you should share and explore, you know, with people. And that's important because you never know what picture, you know, what word that you say or picture that you post will make a significant change in one's life and their perspective on life. And so I think I'm gonna do more. So I appreciate that. Thank you.
Marshall Fields (26:36.013)
100%.
Marshall Fields (26:39.617)
Oh yeah, my pleasure. I will get all in your business anytime you want. Totally fine. So you've received critical acclaim of your performances in various roles, including the Phantom in the Opera. The Phantom in the Phantom of the Opera. And tell me if I butcher this, I'm totally fine. No ego at all, but I believe it is pronounced Scarpea. Scarpea in.
Michael Preacely (26:44.139)
I'm sorry.
Michael Preacely (27:01.27)
No, you're good.
Michael Preacely (27:05.742)
Scar-pia? Just scar-pia? Yes, so the stress is at the beginning of the word and not in the middle, that's all.
Marshall Fields (27:10.555)
Skarpia in Tusca.
Marshall Fields (27:17.725)
Okay, Skarpia, we'll pretend like I did it right. Okay, I know you're a voice coach and I'm probably gonna drive you crazy. Well, I'm sorry. You know what? It is what it is right now. Just remember that's not my... And then also, you know, playing Jake in Porgy and Bess. And so I have to ask, because these are not like just all lighthearted fun, like...
Michael Preacely (27:20.534)
Yeah, you did. It's great.
Michael Preacely (27:29.654)
I got you, Marshall.
Michael Preacely (27:39.635)
Mm-hmm.
Marshall Fields (27:47.629)
there's gravitas to a lot of what you're doing on stage. So how do you prepare for such a diverse, you know, and demanding list of roles?
Michael Preacely (27:58.322)
Absolutely, you know, it's so funny you mentioned Jake in Porgy and Bess. Well, I've had the pleasure to play every baritone role in the opera Porgy and Bess, which includes Jake, Porgy, Crown, Jim, the Undertaker.
I think I'm missing one. I think that's it.
Yeah, all of them. I played all of them at one point or the other. And you talk about preparing for different. So it's an opera, but those are different characters in the opera. They come at different points in the opera. They provide a different storylines for the opera. And so, you know, you have to really think about, okay, so this is the track I'm on in this show. I have to make sure that I'm thinking like this. I have to make sure I'm gonna move like, my body is gonna move like this. I'm gonna have this type of, you know,
uh, presence on stage. Um, and then you have Scarvia, who was this guy who's like this, um, this loot, this big cheese in the, uh, in the, in the police force. And he's trying to get with, um, Tosca and eventually, um, you know, it's very physical with Tosca and, uh, and I am just not that type of person. So I have to totally switch in this mania.
evil human being who wants to just wreak havoc on one's life. And then I'm playing the role of Aminazro, who's this king. And then you have Phantom, who is this, I mean, his heart is so pure and so loving, but no, he's a crazy man as well. So it takes a lot of preparation to do these things, but it's something that I love. I love preparing robes.
Michael Preacely (29:58.206)
Because I love to figure out the different layers in human beings. I don't think no I don't think there's not I think one person is one person. There's so many different layers to human beings And I as an artist I think it's my job to pull back those layers so that I can show the different dimensions of a character so that I can touch Multiple people in the audience and multiple people who are looking at this I had a woman who came up to me after I finished Scott of here and she said Michael
I mean, I felt sorry for you. I hated you. I mean, I had so many different emotions that I felt towards you. Mission accomplished. You're supposed to feel that way. I'm not supposed to just go on stage, bark, and then leave. Then what dimensions do I have? We all are dimensional human beings. Those people with more dimensions are the people we're more attracted to. We can say it or we can not.
Marshall Fields (30:40.054)
Missing accomplished.
Marshall Fields (30:45.444)
Mmm.
Marshall Fields (30:55.273)
I was just going to say one of the truest marks of intelligence and being able to have thought, an independent thought, is being able to carry on almost like a multiple personality kind of conversation with yourself so that you can see things from different angles. Because we look at the world from our perception, but if we are one dimensional in our personality, in our being, we can only look at things from one perspective. So
when you are able to step outside of yourself and step into another part of who you are, how you think, how you feel, then you can have much better internal dialogue and independent thinking. So I get what you're saying. And I mean, what's the most emotionally demanding role that you've ever played?
Michael Preacely (31:24.475)
Mm-hmm.
Michael Preacely (31:47.614)
Rigoletto and porgy Are too very okay Rigoletto in the opera Rigoletto by Verdi Rigoletto is a court gesture in the Duke's court And he has his daughter. Her name is Gilda and Rigoletto. That's his only child one can even argue is Gilda really Rigoletto's child or is it just this person who Who was really young and he cared for cared for throughout because Rigoletto is no
Rigoletto is nothing in the opera that gives us the sense that he was a married man or a man who Who had this woman and they had this child? However, he does speak briefly about Gilda's mother, but not necessarily his companion So that mean there's something going on anyway There's so many different layers. He wants to kill he wants to bring life. He wants to do all these different things
He wants to make people laugh, but he doesn't really like to make people laugh, but he has to do it. But so many different layers that one has to pull back not only of his own life, but also of his relationship with Gilda. And then you have Porgy and Bess. You have Porgy who loves Bess, but is really clear on where he is in society, how he fits in society. Can he have a chance with this woman? Does it really work with-
Will it ever work? He constantly has these doubts in his head about why is she really with him throughout the whole opera. And then at the end, he even thinks she's there and he has, nope, she's gone. I knew it, but I don't care. I'm gonna get her back because I really love her. It's just an amazing palette of emotions that one can pull from to create the characters. Very exciting. Both of those roles are two of the most complex roles that I've played in my time.
Marshall Fields (33:47.233)
I wanna talk about another role. Some people might say that Phantom of the Opera is an epic love story about a beautiful woman and her muddled relationship with a disfigured man. I think invisible scars are much more common. So if you care to share, what are some invisible scars that you have and how has music helped to heal them?
Michael Preacely (34:02.008)
Hmm
Michael Preacely (34:15.55)
Oh, oh wow, that's really steep. Well, invisible scars that I've had, you know, one of the things that I've struggled with my whole life is my weight, whole life. And I have found music, I have found my love for and ability to create and sing music to be one of those saving races.
Marshall Fields (34:32.478)
I belong to that club as well.
Michael Preacely (34:44.75)
for that invisible scar because it's still there. It's like it's still like this ever present thing that exists in my life, but I know that I can sing so that's fine. Even in singing, I find myself, man, did I not get that role because I'm too big? I don't know. But I did sing, I sang my behind off. So that's also something that's there. I think another invisible scar is,
Michael Preacely (35:15.301)
not necessarily in well
Um, just wanting to be, you know, wanting to be right in terms of my output of my music. And so I tend to really dig deeper into some into my into lines, vocal lines to really bring those out. Sometimes what I'm saying, you can tell which ones I really work doing because they're like they're really prevalent.
That's a secret everyone that I've just given away. Should I have done that? I don't know. But those are two, right? Those are two, Marsha, that I can think about, right? It comes to the forefront of my mind to discuss right now.
Marshall Fields (35:52.757)
Hey, three lessons.
Marshall Fields (36:01.197)
Yeah. And I would just say that like your weight, I don't think that in and of itself is a scar. I think it is some of the feelings that come around it or some of the doubts or your thoughts of how other people might perceive and it might impact either your career or situation. This resonates so hard with me because I was at a photo shoot.
And in the photo shoot, there were pictures that everywhere looked awesome, except for my midsection. I was like, oh, okay, I need to maybe work out a little bit or something, because like it's captured in film, I become more sensitive about it. Everybody else was like, dude, what are you talking about? That's an incredible picture. You're the only one who's looking at it. And I think because of, you know, things that happened to us in our past.
Michael Preacely (36:44.034)
Mm-hmm.
Marshall Fields (37:00.053)
we latch on to certain things that we view as something that needs to improve or that can be better, or you personally don't like the way it looks. So you forecast that dislike onto the entire world when they don't even see you like that, you know?
Michael Preacely (37:16.174)
Absolutely and that's something is when I in teaching, you know So funny we often need to practice what we preach right in teaching I mean I tell my students that all the time I say don't forecast your failures or don't fork No, sorry, don't forecast your flaws You know don't you know you have them, you know what they are, but don't forecast them You know make them better if you think they're a flaw, you know, make a note of it
Marshall Fields (37:35.745)
Mmm.
Michael Preacely (37:46.07)
but definitely don't forecast. And I mean, that's a very good point. You know, when I think of a scar, you know, one of the things that I say scars because, you know, scar, and you're right, you know, your perception of yourself, others, what you think their perception of you, you know, they have a tendency to beat you up, you know, to leave bruises as you move on throughout the course of your life. And you want that thing to help mend those other things in life and I found music to be that mender.
Marshall Fields (38:17.477)
Come on now, come on now. I think you give many of us, you know, people listening, I think you give us permission to be more vulnerable, because when someone who has your level of clearly recognized talent beyond a shadow of a doubt, can still battle with some of those things, I think it gives the rest of us permission.
Michael Preacely (38:31.65)
Hmm.
Marshall Fields (38:46.545)
I was in a meeting once and I made a mistake on a PowerPoint. There was some edit, I think I left off an Oxford comma or something. And I called it out when I saw it. And the people that were coming after me to present did not have my professional speaking background. But some of them came up and said, honestly, man, the fact that you made that mistake and you joked about it.
that really set me at ease. And, you know, we create healing, even if it's just for a moment or an event, we can create healing for other people by being vulnerable ourselves. So I appreciate you sharing that.
Michael Preacely (39:24.391)
Right.
Michael Preacely (39:30.937)
Hmm.
Michael Preacely (39:34.402)
Yeah, and you know, it's so funny, as men, as African-American men especially, being vulnerable is something that's hard for us because we're trained not to be. We're trained to be that force to be reckoned with in terms of life. And bottom line is, I think that's been one of the downfalls of us as African-American men in coming together and being strong and being one is the lack of recognizing our vulnerability because we are, we're human beings.
so many different facets and aspects of us that are vulnerable that when we acknowledge that, then they become strong, they become our chi, you know, our strength, our thing, our saving grace in a lot of different situations. And the more that we acknowledge that, live with that, move on from that, learn from that, the stronger that we become. And I acknowledge my strength and my weakness, I absolutely do. I tell my boys that all the time, you know, yeah, you fell down, you hurt yourself, but what did you learn?
How do you become stronger as a result of that? Cry, weep in the moment. That's important. I've been crying so much lately, you know, by different things, sometimes just tears of joy. You know, I see I've accomplished something, I look at my, wow, this is so awesome. Because that's that release that we need, that release, that thing that says, yes, it's okay. Yes, that's great. And then you go on and you just relive those moments with a big smile on your face.
as I am right now. And that's important.
Marshall Fields (41:10.317)
Preparing for roles is one thing, okay? I wanna talk a little bit, and we've kinda already started touching this vein, but I wanna talk about preparing for life. You and I have had many conversations in the past, and I think good conversations are the music that I like to make, and I use generosity, emotional intelligence, situational intelligence as my instruments. Off the stage.
Okay, no lights, no camera, away from the audience, away from the orchestra, away from the mic. How do you make music in your life?
Michael Preacely (41:49.15)
my family.
family is so important to me you know I made some very intentional decisions as a human being throughout my life and one of those intentional decisions was to build a family I met my wife when I was a junior in college and I knew I was gonna marry her right then you know we got married her junior year yeah so like three or four years later
Because I knew I knew who I knew I knew that was the person who I wanted to spend the rest of my life with And a lot of we have so many different similar values and things of that sort. And so we've built a family We have three amazing boys They have their faults. They have their amazing qualities as well And and that has been Um, just a wonderful thing for me, you know, I love cooking
I love cleaning. I love doing all things around the house. I love doing stuff outside the house. My son and I just did a motorcycle racing course. Not a racing course, but a motorcycle course last week together and that was awesome for us to learn how to ride motorcycles together. We played boat pool together. You know, I've taught them how to ride bikes. So all different things that one could want to do with the family and build that life with your children with other human beings.
who take on your traits and your characteristics. It's a marvelous thing. It's also a scary thing, because my oldest, oh my gosh, he has way too many of my traits. And I'm like, boy, if you don't leave me alone, and it's like, Michael, that's you. So, and I get it. And also, he has some of my wives as well. Hint, hint, anyway. That's been just a beautiful thing. Right, right.
Marshall Fields (43:42.629)
Easy, easy.
Michael Preacely (43:45.206)
That's been a beautiful thing. You know, Marsha, I told you I'm preparing for this role, but you know, I've had two weeks, three weeks just to be home with my family. That's been great. I mean, I've used my smoker and I used my smoker because they bought it for me and I wanted, you know, to impress them with a meal. And so I smoked two chickens and that was fantastic. You know, just doing different things like that with them and for them has been just an amazing thing off camera. And you know,
A lot of stuff we do off camera is reflected on camera as well. And you know, the more you do life and you do it well, you realize your faults and you learn from them. You celebrate your strengths and you learn from them. The more you're able to grow from that type of thing in life. And that's a fantastic thing and I love it. I love being in that place.
But that's my strength. My extended family, my wife's family, knows me better than almost any other men law. You know, I'm like, they wonder if my wife is the one who's married into the family. Because I have that type of relationship. I love family. I love being a part of my people and just getting to know them and getting to see how can I impact their life and what do they have that can help my family.
Because the more we able to do that, Marshall, the better we truly are as a people. And I acknowledge that, you know, I love being a part of other people's families. It's just a great thing. I have so many different friends whose mom I call mom and it really freaks them out. Not the mother, but the friend. But, you know, this is the way that it is. And, you know, just family. And that's been a big part of my life. That's how my dad is.
As many times I said man, I don't want to be I don't want to have that trait like my dad I don't have so many different traits like my dad. It's insane But that's just the way the cookie crumbles, but that's my that's my off-camera
Marshall Fields (45:55.649)
I feel like, you know, I don't bring pies to just anybody. So I'm just saying. But I've got to ask, you have such a way with words. I think that's obvious at this point. And I know that did not happen overnight. And I'm just curious, because we got to talk, you know, about the family aspect of it, but in your professional career, can you tell me about a time that you had a challenging conversation where you had to communicate and you knew there was going to be a painful melody?
Michael Preacely (45:59.51)
Hahaha!
Michael Preacely (46:05.239)
Hmm.
Marshall Fields (46:24.801)
to the conversation.
Michael Preacely (46:26.354)
Absolutely. You know, this is I'm going into my third year, third year, fourth year, third or fourth year at the University of Kentucky as a professor of music or lecturer of voice. And, you know, navigating academia is no joke. And so I've always been one who expresses how I feel. Regardless of who's listening and sometimes it's not the best thing to do.
And so you have to finesse your words. You have to say things in a way not only that they can be received, but that they can be expressed. Because what is that? Tactical confrontations equals intact organizations. Absolutely. And in a lot of ways, Marshall, sometimes
When it comes to tact, it's difficult when you don't have much time and you have to convey what you need right then and there. And so I've learned that I need to go away, I need to have a retreat for myself and reflect and then express. So retreat, reflect, express. And that formula has worked a wondrous for me in the course of this past year.
when I served as co-coordinator of the department. And that ended our year with a retreat so that we can reflect, so that then we can talk about different ways to make what we do better. And it's been great, wonderful learning experience. But yeah, being there. And also building Uniting Voices Lexington, that has had its challenges along the way.
with just expressing my passion to people and them telling me for real, keep it moving. It's been humbling. And I reflect back that I use the right words, that I say the right things, that I put it in the right order. And there's always room for improvement. When you realize that, then that's when you become a good wordsmith. When you realize your failures and want to improve upon.
Michael Preacely (48:53.578)
You know, I can't say you're a bad person because you didn't do what I wanted you to do. I have to say, what did I do that can be improved to help you either understand better, even though you still don't necessarily wanna do what I'm asking you to do. But how can I improve? Because there's always ways in which one could improve, even though the outcome may be the same, at least you've taken that path of improving. So I think that's how my, you know.
My ability to communicate with people has, I mean, it's changed. I mean, you know this, Marshall. I mean, we both have what we do now. First of all, we did a 20. Oh my goodness. I was the choir director at a church, a Baptist church in Lex and in Oberlin. When I was 20, anybody's listening to Oberlin, you know me, right? And I'm so sorry. I love y'all so much, but I was a mess. You know, I said, no, that's wrong. We need to go back. I can't believe y'all sounding like this. Oh my goodness. I wish I had a recorder.
Marshall Fields (49:32.788)
Oh boy.
Michael Preacely (49:52.394)
When I think about the way that I taught to those grown people who was volunteering to sing in the choir, you know But that was that was then those are lessons that definitely learned from the choir members You know, I had this one woman say you need to watch how you talk to people and so on and so forth I was like, you know what? I'm sorry. I didn't say that like that all the time anyway
Marshall Fields (50:07.806)
Uh oh.
Marshall Fields (50:15.321)
Well, I mean, yes, been there, done that. My wife and I, we've been married. As of January, it will have been our 20th year anniversary. And so, no, this coming January. Yeah, that will be year 20. And yes, I am not the same person I was 20 years ago. The fact that we're still married is a miracle. But, you know, that is another episode.
Michael Preacely (50:24.906)
Wow. This past January. This coming January.
Michael Preacely (50:38.862)
Hallelujah!
Michael Preacely (50:43.502)
Ha ha!
Marshall Fields (50:43.697)
So, you know, as I just reflect on who you are, which is, you know, not just from a professional standpoint, not just as a father, not just as a husband, faculty member at UK, all of the different roles from being an educator to a community advocate, I have to think about the fact that now you've started this new journey where you are the founder and artistic director of Uniting Voices of Lexington. So
When I know people are very busy, very involved, and I see them take on something else, I'm like, that had to be important. That had to be important because you barely had time to just live life already. So, you know, tell us about Uniting Voices of Lexington and the organization and the importance of the work.
Michael Preacely (51:22.786)
What is wrong with this? Right.
Michael Preacely (51:37.858)
You know, I love the way you frame that, Marshall, that had to be important. Because you're right, when you add with how busy my life is and to add something else on to it, it had to be important. It has been important for a very long time. You know, I've been talking to folks in Chicago about this for about two years, well, it's three years now, about bringing what the type of experience that I had that made...
that helped mold and shape me into the human being that I am today to bring something like that here to Lexington, because our youth need it. We have some amazing youth, talented youth here in Lexington from all different backgrounds, social economic backgrounds in Lexington that could benefit greatly by coming together.
Marshall Fields (52:31.629)
100%
Michael Preacely (52:35.778)
and sharing their gifts. And so I'm like we need that type of organization hence United Voices Lexington. And so You know I have as I mentioned before in our talk here today, I have three boys and our three boys have had three different experiences as it pertains to their growth in
being around other kids of their age here in Lexington. And all of them, I think could have been more nurtured, in that experience. My boys haven't been on a trip to another place with their peers. And I think those types of things are important. And so, United Voices, building global citizens. I don't want...
to just have this knowledge and keep it. I wanna be able to have this knowledge and share it with our kids and with our parents. You know, these parents around here, I mean, we had an event a few weeks ago and in the audience were all these parents from different nationalities, different social economic backgrounds, coming together, having a great time, talking, sharing, and that's what it's about. That's what's gonna move us from here to here, Lexington has some amazing people here. We have Olympic stars, we have...
Government like crazy. I mean, it's the wealth that's in Lexington of people and knowledge and where they are in this world is Immense we don't all know that you know we should Because truly we are better together and that's what this is all about. This is about bringing kids from every single zip code In in the bluegrass region together to make music with United Voices Lexington and you're right It was important enough
to make it happen. And that's what I'm doing.
Marshall Fields (54:34.021)
nothing's gonna change on accident, but it will stay the same. It will stay the same, but it will not change on accident. That is a fact. Well, I love that you're doing that because as you said, we have so much talent, we have so many different things to offer, but it requires bringing together the resources. And then also whenever we talk about our youth, we are really impacting the future because
Michael Preacely (54:42.085)
Yeah, we have to be intentional.
Marshall Fields (55:02.753)
They're next for making important decisions. They're next for community development. They're next for professional environments that people have to come into and learn how to work together and create pathways for understanding and moving things forward, regardless of what the field is. I don't care if it's fast food or construction or engineering, it takes everyone having
some level of development of how we work together as human beings, even though we're different. It takes some level of development when you're younger, or it's harder when you get older. I've seen it. I've been in workshops where I'm trying to help people with that. So thank you for what you're doing for the community. We're almost to a close, but I have these 10 questions that I'm going to go through. It's going to be like boom, boom. All right.
Michael Preacely (55:40.704)
Mmm.
Michael Preacely (55:55.928)
Gotcha.
Marshall Fields (55:59.809)
What's your favorite color or curse word you pick?
Michael Preacely (56:04.79)
Oh, I thought you were saying both. I was about to give you both of them, baby. No, blue, blue. I love blue, all shades.
Marshall Fields (56:09.621)
You can give me both. It's totally fine. Blue, all right, all right. All shades, okay. Favorite movie or song?
Michael Preacely (56:21.906)
Ooh, a few good men. You can't handle the truth, son. We live in a world that has walls. Yeah, I know the whole monologue. That's the monologue that I use when I'm auditioning for straight plays. Colonel Jessup's monologue, yes.
Marshall Fields (56:26.249)
Did you?
Marshall Fields (56:36.609)
totally see you doing it too. All right, biggest pet peeve.
Michael Preacely (56:42.678)
not speaking.
Michael Preacely (56:47.114)
Yeah, when I look at you and you don't speak, yeah, when I look at you, if I speak to you, you don't speak back. Or if I walk into a store and I'm not as big as Pet P. And kids who don't speak, come on now, yeah, yeah.
Marshall Fields (56:47.457)
So that means people not speaking.
Marshall Fields (56:53.561)
Mm.
Marshall Fields (57:01.497)
I was just taking my daughter and my niece to a camp. And when my niece got in the car, I gave 10 seconds. And then after 10 seconds I said, okay, let's start again. When you get in my car, you say, she said, hello, Uncle Marshall. I said, okay, all right. So I salute you for that. Mm-hmm, mm-hmm.
Michael Preacely (57:15.467)
Yeah.
Michael Preacely (57:24.043)
Yeah Yeah, yeah biggest pet peeve
Marshall Fields (57:30.009)
Oh, and even now when speaking of being in the car, when you wave or you, you know, even you acknowledge and you might never see that person again, but it gets on my nerves though, cause it's like, wow, okay, fair enough. All right.
Michael Preacely (57:38.317)
Yeah.
Michael Preacely (57:42.05)
This one woman, I said hello, and she literally did not speak back. And so then I left and I had to come back and I said hello again and she was like, do I know you? I was like, do you have to know me to speak? You know, it's like, I said it with a smile. I said, do you have to know me to speak? I said it just, she's like, no, hi. It's like, hi, how are you?
Marshall Fields (57:54.413)
Ooh.
Marshall Fields (58:02.892)
Yeah. You said it with a smile, but you were also saying it with your chest at the time.
Michael Preacely (58:07.903)
Oh, yeah, and the voice was definitely supportive. Yes.
Marshall Fields (58:11.353)
Mm-hmm. I have zero doubt. Okay, so
Tell me a socially awkward moment or a hidden talent.
Michael Preacely (58:24.034)
Woo, a socially awkward moment or a hidden talent.
Michael Preacely (58:32.194)
Cool.
Michael Preacely (58:36.703)
I once was a competitive racquetball player.
Michael Preacely (58:42.882)
So racquetball is a hidden talent.
Marshall Fields (58:43.181)
How about that? Okay, nice.
Michael Preacely (58:46.414)
I mean, I have lots of socially awkward moments that, I mean, there would be too many to list. I had one moment where.
Marshall Fields (58:54.481)
like someone going, hey, can I sing? Did you like that? After a performance and in your mind.
Michael Preacely (58:59.034)
That's that's real like mmm. Yeah, I mean cuz you don't want to lie Well, I recently waited Oh socially awkward moment, yes, I Recently had a moment and I'm not gonna say when because the person may be listening. So I'll leave that alone. But um Where they're like I Sing
Marshall Fields (59:03.469)
I'm going to go to bed.
Marshall Fields (59:07.349)
Yeah, you have some professional integrity. I mean, like your word carries weight.
Michael Preacely (59:27.21)
And I'm like, oh, that's so cool. And they sang. And then they asked me, how did they sing? And I'm like,
Michael Preacely (59:38.742)
So what color are the napkins on the tables? You know, I didn't say that, but I'm like, nice. And lessons couldn't even help that. But anyway, let's keep going. By getting trouble.
Marshall Fields (59:52.23)
Oh my...
Marshall Fields (59:55.713)
Fair enough, fair enough, fair enough. Okay, what is the greatest lesson you feel you've learned?
Michael Preacely (01:00:04.108)
Ooh, humility.
Marshall Fields (01:00:08.216)
What are you learning right now?
Michael Preacely (01:00:08.252)
humility, greatest lesson.
Michael Preacely (01:00:14.188)
Um
What am I learning right now?
Marshall Fields (01:00:18.729)
And I don't mean on this interview, but I mean just in life, like what's something that you're learning?
Michael Preacely (01:00:25.506)
Patience.
Marshall Fields (01:00:28.609)
How has failure shaped your life?
Michael Preacely (01:00:34.018)
I'm getting stronger.
Marshall Fields (01:00:38.657)
What are you currently? No, no, go ahead. Repeat what you said.
Michael Preacely (01:00:38.806)
I failed so many times. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. Let's not expound. Yes. No, I mean, you know, we failed so many times and I think my strength comes in my failures. You know, the strength comes, you know, if someone says no, then that increases the ask. If someone says I can't do it, that increases the teaching on why you can't.
Yeah, so.
Marshall Fields (01:01:06.061)
So what are you currently reading or listening to?
Michael Preacely (01:01:11.278)
Say that one more time.
Marshall Fields (01:01:12.693)
What are you currently reading or listening to?
Michael Preacely (01:01:17.2)
I'm currently listening to Aida. I'm currently reading...hold on one second let me get the book for you.
Michael Preacely (01:01:31.118)
I'm not gonna show the book for the purposes of copyright and all the other good stuff, but just wanna make sure I get the name of it right. It's a T.J. says, don't drop the mic. The power of your words can change the world. Fascinating book. Fascinating book on the power of words and how they can really open doors for you, close them, how you use them, how to inflect things of that sort. Fantastic text.
Marshall Fields (01:01:45.741)
Come on.
Michael Preacely (01:02:00.53)
He is New York's number one bestselling author. Bishop Jake says, and don't drop the mic.
Marshall Fields (01:02:07.917)
drop the mic. Okay, last question. What have you done that I should do?
Michael Preacely (01:02:20.214)
What have I done that you should do?
Michael Preacely (01:02:32.482)
What have I done that you should do? Well, I don't know if you've ever done. Okay, so there are two things one. I think everybody need to go to Egypt To ride a motorcycle if you have it I know you have never written on second You've written a motorcycle. Okay. Well, then that's not it
Marshall Fields (01:02:47.849)
I've rode a motorcycle. Mm-hmm. Yep. But definitely, as I was asking you that, I was thinking, go to Egypt. I was thinking that in my head, because I saw more pictures from the trip, and just, wow. So yeah, okay.
Michael Preacely (01:03:00.161)
Yeah, you know that's one of those.
Michael Preacely (01:03:06.206)
Yeah, yeah. There you go.
Marshall Fields (01:03:10.341)
Well, I have one last request, okay? And so first, thank you, Dr. Priestley, for sharing your incredible journey and some insights with us. It has been an absolute pleasure having you on the show today. But if I could just have one last request, which is maybe you, as I'm doing the closing of the show, could you sing us out just a soft, you know...
Michael Preacely (01:03:14.507)
Mm-hmm.
Michael Preacely (01:03:25.663)
Mm-hmm.
Michael Preacely (01:03:41.982)
Okay, yeah, yeah sure absolutely I can do that Right now you're gonna do that right now. Well, first of all, thank you so much Marshall for your vision Thank you for who you are. Like I said, we are beginning at this time together You know, I when we agreed to do this I knew that the time that we had wouldn't be enough and then we you know Because we have so many different things that we are passionate about and that we can talk about and I think that the world should know and so
Marshall Fields (01:03:44.081)
Okay. Fire away. Go for it.
Michael Preacely (01:04:08.766)
My prayer is that they'll continue to learn about us in the very fastest that we are involved in. You, PCHATP, and such, and you have many other endeavors that you do. Myself, through United Voices Lexington, through my work at UK, and here in our community, my prayer is that people will be able to see the ellipsis of our lives through those things. So I appreciate you so much.
Marshall Fields (01:04:30.161)
ellipsis of our lives, folks, ellipsis of our lives. Ellipsis of our lives.
Michael Preacely (01:04:39.613)
Oh One of my favorite songs is called he looked beyond my faults to see my needs and As I alluded to earlier me being a believer this song has carried me through and continues to care through so many different triumphs and trials of my life though the storms Keep on raging
Marshall Fields (01:05:03.565)
Everyone, thank you for tuning in. This brings us to the end of another episode of PCHATP. We hope you enjoyed this inspiring conversation with Dr. Michael Priestley for all of those listening. I hope you sing in the shower, on your way to work, or to torture your kids in the car like I do. Whatever you do, keep loving your heart and each time it beats it will be music to your ears. Thank you for listening.
Michael Preacely (01:05:04.201)
My life...
Michael Preacely (01:05:07.906)
And sometimes it's hard to tell the night from day. Still the hope that lies within is reassured
Michael Preacely (01:05:26.418)
As I keep my eyes upon the distant shore, I know he'll lead me safely to that blessed place he has prepared. And if the storms don't cease, and if the wind..
Michael Preacely (01:05:54.914)
Keep on blowing in my life My soul Has been anchored in the lord!
Marshall Fields (01:06:18.945)
What more do you want?
