Preston Pugmire-Acoustic/Indie/Pop

A special post. (Profile story included)

One Single moment changed everything.

                                              By: Ian Joel Wendt

“Music is whatever you want it to be. That is the brilliant part about it. It evokes whatever the listener wants it to evoke. It changes your soul when you hear it. It has that power and its so important and that’s why I do it.”

                             -Preston Pugmire.

Preston Pugmire, an accomplished musician has been playing music from the time he was just 15 years old. Now at age 30, He has gone from small time local performer to nationwide pop sensation. Playing in over 25 states, with as much as 140 shows a year, and his new self-titled album “Preston Pugmire”, he has surpassed every goal he set in the early years of his career. His story is one of high hopes and dreams made into reality.

It was a cold Saturday morning when Preston got up out of bed and made his way down to the living room. The cool floor against his bare feet woke him up faster than he wanted. As he reached the living room, he plopped himself down on the couch, grabbed the remote and flipped through the channels.

After a few minutes of pointless channel changing without any success of finding anything worthwhile, he popped in a VHS he had purchased a few days ago. The VHS is still clear in his mind. It read “Hot Hits of November 1995”. In a time where seeking out music and all forms of media was very difficult, Preston would still find his passion.

As the tape played, a specific video by the title of “Just” performed by the English rock band: Radiohead began to play. This one single moment in Preston’s life would change everything.

Preston recounts his experience. “I remember every moment; where I was siting, and even how the room was positioned. It absolutely re-wired my brain in that instant. The synapsis connected in a different way. It was such a specific experiential moment that I can just remember it so clearly. The effects of that are still around today because that’s what I’m doing. I just thought to myself, are you kidding me? This kind of music is real? It opened up my world to what music was available. I immediately went and bought Radiohead’s entire album: The Bens along with the guitar chords. I taught myself and learned every song from that album. I knew right then that I didn’t want to do anything but music.”

There were a couple different people that he feels have played a big part in his life as a musician as well. His father was a good guitar player and played often. “I just thought dad was the coolest, you know? I mean dad is the coolest for every kid. Eventually, I became better and began to teach him things.”

The single most important person and inspiration for a lot of Preston’s music however, is his wife, Corine. Preston and Corine were good friends for some time. With time, he fell for her. “It’s crazy…but I knew that I was going to marry Corine. As weird as it sounds… I just knew it. I just didn’t know how I was going to tell her I loved her and that I was in fact going to marry her.” Said Preston.

Soon after, Preston wrote a song. In this song, he included one specific line that he knew only she would understand the meaning of.  To explain how and why he did this, he said, “I didn’t want to write an entire song and have it be this big deal where I have her come up on stage or whatever. I just wanted her to understand where no one else could. There were probably 300 or more people there that night. But to them, it just sounded like a normal love song.”

Music filled the air and the crowd sang along enthusiastically. Finally the moment had come and he began to sing the song he wrote for her. As he reached the line intended for Corine, their eyes met and she knew, just as he wanted her to know, that it was for her. She knew he loved her. Only several days after, he proposed. “But I’m going on a mission” she replied. “Oh that’s fine. We’ll get to it after.” Said Preston. For a year and a half, Preston did not date any one else. His heart was locked and he was committed. When Corine returned, they were married.

Speaking of Preston’s love for music, Corine said, “his love for music is unique. He notices every little detail of every song. He could listen to the same song over and over for days just because of little sounds and parts that you or I would never even notice.”

In his own words, Preston explained: “When I listen to music, I listen to it in layers. It comes up piece by piece in my mind and it’s almost a visual experience for me. I hear every layer separately and then it comes together. Everything is separated before me but then I hear it as a single unit. It’s an incredible thing.”

Preston is confident in saying that he has achieved every goal he set for himself. “My biggest goal was to be able to support Corine and myself with my music and I have now greatly surpassed that goal. Corine no longer needs to work and can even accompany me on tour.” He does however have new goals as well. His main focus now is radio play and to get his music into TV shows, Commercials and other forms of media.

When asked where his favorite place to perform out of all others, his answer was immediate. “Rexburg is my favorite by far. Its not just because I’m from here. The Rexburg crowds are amazing. The people that come to the shows are immediately ready to engage and they’re sober. In a way that isn’t present, the energy of the people when they arrive is unique. There’s a readiness to leave their egos at the door and not feel like they have to impress anybody.” He continues to visit and play in Rexburg frequently.

In response to those who aspire to become what he has become, there was only one reply. “Do it. Don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t. The #1 person that you can’t let tell you that you can’t is yourself. No body holds you back. The only person who can hold you back is you.”

A little INFO!

Preston and His wife, Corine currently reside in Rexburg, Idaho. She continues to support him as he pursues his career and works hard to achieve his goals. 


Prestons influences or "roots" as he refers to them consist of but are not limited to: Smashing Pumpkins, Everclear, Foo Fighters and Nirvana. His favorite band by far is Radiohead. 

With the help of his kick starter community, Preston's first album has been released and is available on itunes NOW! 

Samples of his music and some additional information and bio are available on his website: Prestonpugmire.com.  Visit and check it out! 

Sample Video:

Picture retrieved from google.