Johnny Preston

Johnny Preston (born John Preston Courville, on August 18, 1939, in Port Arthur, Texas) is an American singer.

Of Cajun ancestry, Johnny Preston sang in high school choral contests throughout the state of Texas. He formed a rock and roll band called "The Shades" before recording his No. 1 hit single "Running Bear." The song was written by J. P. "The Big Bopper" Richardson who had died the previous year in a plane crash with Buddy Holly and Ritchie Valens.

Preston quickly followed up with a minor hit called "Cradle of Love" and made several other records during the early 1960s that met with modest success.

Johnny Preston's pioneering contribution to the genre has been recognized by the Rockabilly Hall of Fame.