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SINGING FOR HIS DAD: Child to perform in Christmas musical for slain father

By Glenn Counts, wsoctv.com
By Glenn Counts, wsoctv.com

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Brandon Nicholson said he and his dad loved baseball and were best friends.

The 12-year-old’s father was murdered in September in southwest Charlotte.

Brandon, a sixth-grader who attends Northside Baptist Church, is preparing to perform with the choir in the Christmas musical.

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"I'm not sure what I'm going to be doing, but I know I'm going to be a shepherd,” Brandon said.

Even though he's a little scared, he has a good reason to take on the challenge.

His father, 44-year-old Preston Nicholson, was gunned down off Brookshire Boulevard.

Brandon said he is performing for his father.

"Sometimes, when I think about him back then, like me and him riding down in the car and downtown, that's when I cry,” Brandon said.

Bill Cummings, who is directing the musical, heard what Brandon was going through.

"I know we had to include him,” Cummings said.

Julie Smith, Brandon's homeroom teacher at the church’s school, said the school has embraced Brandon, which she thinks has helped him through his grief.

"He's just an all-around great kid that you love having in your class,” Smith said. “His father has just instilled in him to just persevere, keep going, do the best you can."

(Preston Nicholson)

While Preston Nicholson and his son shared a love for baseball, Brandon said he still practices and believes he and his dad will get to play again one day.

"I always believe that I know heaven is real,” Brandon said.

Brandon believes his father will be cheering him on when he takes the stage this weekend.

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