Today we’d like to introduce you to Ben Plotnick.
Hi Ben, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I was born and raised in Calgary, AB, to two classical musician parents. Music was always nearby, and I wanted to play as soon as I could talk. My parents bought me my first violin at age 5, and it’s been my priority basically ever since. As a teenager, I can remember always being the student who was plucking random notes on the strings, trying to create my own music in a world of refinement and replication – until I started playing traditional styles and jazz as well. I went to college for jazz, with the goal of learning to improvise. After years in Toronto and in Calgary, I decided to make the move down to Nashville, like so many aspiring musicians, and I’ve been here for the last decade now.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
People in the music industry describe Nashville as a “10-year town”. I’m not sure how that math works out when you spend 50% of your time on tour, and then covid decimates the industry for a while in there. The truth is, I’m not sure anyone behind the scenes in the industry ever feels like they’ve made it – you just keep working, and evolving, and meeting new folks. I’m meeting new people here constantly, and just trying to build my corner of the world down here.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I spend about 50% of my time as a freelance fiddle player, playing as a sideperson at home and on the road for an ever-changing handful of americana/bluegrass/folk artists. I spend the other half in the string arrangement world – usually composing and arranging music at home or in studios, for other artists or myself. I think my own identity is shaped by my presence in both of these worlds – Compared to many, my arrangements are unusually informed by my roots, folk and jazz background. At the same time, I think the time I’ve spent reading in string sections and orchestras has given my fiddle playing an unusual color. Whether I fit into both of these worlds, or neither of them, is up for debate – I’m just trying to keep on making sounds I like.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.benplotnick.com
- Instagram: @benplotnickfiddle
- Facebook: /Benplotnick
- Other: @rayoncitymaterials
