Ben Plotnick

09/29/22 • 56 min

From the day Ben Plotnick was born in Calgary, Alberta, Canada his life has revolved
almost entirely around music. Since his early start playing classical violin, he has found
himself as a bit of a musical chameleon in musical worlds such as Folk, Country, Celtic, Jazz,
Rock, and many areas of world music as well. Ben’s involved musical adolescence included
performances with several groups & organizations for notable audiences (such as Her Royal
Highness Queen Elizabeth the 2nd) across four continents, from an early age.
As a freelance performer and session musician with stints in Calgary, Toronto and now
Nashville, Ben has recorded on upwards of 100 professional albums and performed on
thousands of stages ranging anywhere from house concerts to arenas. His list of credits
includes countless high-level acts largely in (but not limited to) the worlds of folk, Americana
and country music. These days, Ben spends the bulk of his time touring, writing and
recording with creative projects The Fretless (2017 Juno award winner and 3-time nominee, 6 Canadian Folk Music Awards) and Oliver the Crow (ensemble of the year nominee at the 2020 Canadian Folk Music Awards, called ‘exquisite’ and an ‘inspired collaboration’ by NPR).
Amidst performances around the world, he continues to work as a session musician and
string arranger in Nashville. His arrangements for strings, winds and in some cases
symphony orchestras feature on a vast array of professional albums, stages and halls
around the world.
His improvisation method book was released in 2015. “Vio Lingo: A comprehensive guide to
learning the language of violin improvisation”, is now on its 5th printing and has been highly
sought after in fiddle communities across the continent. Exclaim.ca writes of his 2016 solo record ‘Greenland’: “(Plotnick’s) instrumental wizardry,paired with danceable rhythm, will have half the audience listening intently while the rest tears up the floorboards”. 2021 saw the release of ‘Madison Archives’ with banjo player Frank Evans (of The Slocan Ramblers), a duo album named “Instrumental Album of the Year” at the Canadian Folk Music Awards and nominated at the Juno Awards.
Whether he’s performing for 30 or 30,000 people, with a country band, folk string quartet or
a bluegrass group, in a bar or on a festival stage, Ben continues to define himself as one of
folk music’s elite fiddle players.
Instagram
Ben's website
Fretless
Oliver The Crow

Previous Episode

J David Sloan

This week is something different, and very special! I got to sit down with my cousin, J David and hear all about his early days as a country musician. We talk about songwriting, how he discovered Lyle Lovett in a small town in Luxembourg and his days running Mr. Lucky's, one of the most popular country music spots in Phoenix. He even gives an official definition of our family word "kadoo." (Heck, you might even feel like you're at one while you listen.)
J David has played and toured with several acts including Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, and many more. He's been a beloved fixture of the music scene in Arizona for the past 45+ years. He still plays several nights a week with the Herndon Brothers and other acts. To see where he's playing next, click here

Next Episode

Greg Childress

Gregory Childress (he/him) is Lynchburg, Virginia native violist and violinist who began playing at the age of five in the Lynchburg City Schools Suzuki string program. Greg graduated Cum Laude from James Madison University in May 2019 with a B.M. in viola performance. He discovered his love for teaching during his time at JMU; Greg served as president of the JMU American String Teacher Association Collegiate Chapter. He taught after school group violin classes with Rockingham County Schools and launched a small private violin and viola studio. After graduating, Greg moved back home where he taught in the LCS Suzuki strings program from 2019 to 2022.

Greg runs a thriving Suzuki violin and viola studio in Lynchburg with over 35 students enrolled. Additionally, Greg is the string chamber ensemble director at Virginia Episcopal School. As a member and registered teacher with the Suzuki Association of Americas, Greg frequently participates in workshops, institutes, and teacher trainings. Greg has studied pedagogy with Dr. Wanchi Huang, Elizabeth Faidley, David Strom, Oscar Soler, Joanne Martin, Cathryn Lee, and Charles Krigbaum. With over 12,000 followers on Instagram, Greg uses his platform to showcase student progress, achievements, and also provide free tips and educational resources to teachers.

Greg is the principal violist of the Lynchburg Symphony Orchestra and frequently performs for weddings and events across Virginia. When he is not teaching or performing, Greg enjoys vegan cooking, yoga, house projects, and traveling to new and inspiring places.

To learn more about Greg, check out his website at www.gregorychildress.com and follow him on Instagram @violagreg.