Reel to Reel: Billy Preston: That’s the Way God Planned It

The GRAMMY Museum is thrilled to present the Los Angeles premiere of Billy Preston: That’s the Way God Planned It in the Museum’s intimate 200-seat Clive Davis Theater. There will be a post-screening panel discussion featuring Director Paris Barclay, artist Cory Henry and Producers Stephanie Allain and Jeanne Elfant Festa. 

ABOUT BILLY PRESTON: THAT’S THE WAY GOD PLANNED IT

Musical prodigy Billy Preston contributed his signature Gospel sound to the greatest musicians of the 60’s and 70’s including The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Ray Charles, Barbra Streisand, Sly Stone, Neil Diamond, Ray Charles, Eric Clapton etc., while establishing himself as a GRAMMY-winning solo artist. Despite his success, Billy struggled to reconcile his deep relationship to the Black church with his sexuality, setting off a lifelong quest to find love and acceptance. Paris Barclay’s first documentary examines Bill’s extraordinary life and dazzles with get-up-and-dance archival performance footage, coupled with heartfelt testimony from the people who knew him best. 

ABOUT STEPHANIE ALLAIN

Stephanie Allain’s Homegrown Pictures produces award-winning films that make headlines, launch careers and

shape the culture. Titles include Hustle & Flow, Something New, Beyond the Lights, Dear White People and Titus Kaphar’s upcoming Exhibiting Forgiveness. She is Emmy-nominated for producing 2020 Academy Awards. A long-time activist for equity and belonging, Allain is the first woman of color elected President of the Producers Guild of America and a member of AMPAS and the WGA. She sits on the boards of American Cinematheque, Producers Guild of America and Cast & Crew. Her first children’s book, WHO’S IN CHARGE? was published by Candlewick Press in 2024.

ABOUT JEANNE ELFANT FESTA

Jeanne Elfant Festa brings together diverse talent to highlight and amplify unique, compelling stories is one of the producers of BILLY PRESTON: THAT’S THE WAY GOD PLANNED IT, directed by Emmy winner Paris Barclay, and this year’s Emmy-winning THE BEACH BOYS, by Frank Marshall, and co-producer of the Emmy-nominated STAX: Soulsville, U.S.A., by Jamila Wignot. Other credits include executive producing SHARI AND LAMB CHOP, by Lisa D’Apolito, and executive producing Ally Pankiw’s upcoming LILITH FAIR, alongside producer Dan Levy. She produced the lauded PAVAROTTI and Emmy winners in 3 consecutive years — THE APOLLO, THE BEE GEES: HOW CAN YOU MEND A BROKEN HEART, and LUCY AND DESI — and executive produced the Grammy-winning FOO FIGHTERS: BACK AND FORTH. She serves on the board of Step Up, a nonprofit helping girls define their ideal destination.

ABOUT PARIS BARCLAY

Paris Barclay is one of television’s most successful and honored directors, with a resume that weaves through many of the greatest shows of the past thirty years. He has directed nearly 200 episodes of television, including episodes of such classics as NYPD BLUE, ER, THE WEST WING, LOST, THE GOOD WIFE, CSI, SONS OF ANARCHY, HOUSE, GLEE, IN TREATMENT, SCANDAL, EMPIRE, STATION 19, THE WATCHER, and AMERICAN HORROR STORY. Paris is a nine-time Emmy nominee for his producing and directing work, winning twice for directing two of NYPD BLUE’s most pivotal chapters (including Jimmy Smits’ departing episode), and nominated most recently for the “Silenced” episode of DAHMER – MONSTER: THE JEFFREY DAHMER STORY. With that nomination, Paris became one of a handful of directors to have received Emmy nominations for directing in every narrative category.

Paris also won a DGA award for NYPD BLUE, and has been nominated nine other times by the Guild for his work on GLEE, WEEDS, ER, IN TREATMENT, HOUSE and THE WEST WING. Paris has received three NAACP Image Awards, for his producing and directing work, and was inducted into the NAACP Image Awards Hall of Fame in 2014, joining such luminaries as Sidney Poitier, Oprah Winfrey, and Gordon Parks. Paris has been the recipient of two Humanitas Prizes and four Peabody Awards for his work. In 2021, Paris received the DGA Honorary Life Member Award, the Guild’s top honor. This fall, he has episodes of the second season of MONSTER (with Javier Bardem and Chloe Sevigny), AMERICAN SPORTS STORY: AARON HERNANDEZ, and directed the pilot and executive produces DOCTOR ODYSSEY for ABC. His first feature documentary, BILLY PRESTON: THAT’S THE WAY GOD PLANNED IT premiered at the SXSW Film Festival, featuring Ringo Starr, Eric Clapton, Billy Porter, and Olivia Harrison.

Member Check – In: 2:00pm

Nonmember Check – In / Doors: 2:30pm

Show Time: 3:00pm

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