Benom Plumb has music and the music business in his genes. Great-nephew to the acclaimed A&R man, composer, arranger and conductor, Neely Plumb ("Purple People Eater", "The Sound of Music", Jefferson Airplane, Etta James) Benom Plumb has been a professional in the music industry since 2006.
Benom was previously Vice President of Licensing at Bluewater Music in Nashville, TN from 2007 through 2012, and before that, he worked as an independent licensing consultant and working drummer. During his time at Bluewater Music, Benom coordinated all TV/Film licensing efforts, signing new talent, pitching songs, finding publishing royalties, negotiating various business deals and representing the company throughout the world at industry events.
After Bluewater, Benom was Assistant Professor of Music Industry Studies at The University of Colorado Denver teaching Music Publishing, Introduction to Music Business and Music Business Finance and Royalties. During his time at CU Denver, Benom wrote various published articles about current music industry news for Denver-based music royalty marketplace, Royalty Exchange, some of which have been cited in peer reviewed journals such as Yeshiva University’s Cardozo Arts & Entertainment Law Journal. In the summer of 2020, Benom accepted the position of Associate Professor and Program Director at The University of the Pacific, where he leads the Music Industry Studies and Music Management degree programs.
The rock band name Professor Plumb originates in an inspirational story from 2014 during Plumb’s time in Denver, Colorado. Plumb, a music industry veteran, is acquaintances with Jon Foreman, the band leader of Switchfoot. Plumb invited Foreman to campus to talk with the CU Denver music students the day of Switchfoot’s show at The Gothic Theater. The visit had meant so much to Foreman, that he introduced the band’s hit song “Meant To Live” by talking about his day with Plumb and the students, then dedicated the song to “Professor Plumb”. Plumb was in the audience that night as a guest of Foreman’s, and this is what inspired him to start a band and settle on the name, Professor Plumb.
Professor Plumb released the debut rock album, "The Majic Twelve". The band has multiple releases slated for 2020 and beyond. “The Majic Twelve" was a collection of twelve original rock compositions written and produced by Plumb, who is a multi-instrumentalist on nearly every track. The songs were recorded in Denver, CO at CU Denver's Core Recording Facilities and The Keep Recording Studio. Mixed and Mastered by Recording Academy voting members, Jeff Kanan and Nick Sullivan of The Keep, the twelve songs are divided into three separate, digital-only releases. The band selectively performs live around the Denver area and prefers their live performances to have a connection to champion a good cause. For example, Plumb organized and performed a hurricane benefit show for the Grammy Foundation charity, MusiCares.
The sound and message of Plumb’s music on "The Majic Twelve" displays his wide compositional range and knack for writing short, but poignant songs. Plumb’s socially conscious message continues all the way through "The Majic Twelve" in songs like "Midnight Creep", "Take That" and "Stop The War". The incredible electric guitar and collaborative work by John Demitro (The Velveteers, Pink Fuzz) can be heard throughout the record and his contributions were essential in bringing Plumb’s songs on "The Majic Twelve" to master quality. Following up this debut release, Professor Plumb will be releasing new singles beginning in the summer of 2020.
In addition to the rock band, in April of 2020, Plumb debuted his solo electronic music project called, The Jolly Backbeat. The Jolly Backbeat combines various electronic and live instrumentation, with pop/electronica influenced vocal and lyrical themes. The first single, “Snow In April - Birds & Bees Remix”, released April 24, 2020, again displays Plumb’s wide songwriting and production talents. The lyrics in “Snow In April - Birds & Bees Remix” are metaphorical for love-making in the transition to springtime. The music video for the song was produced by Plumb entirely under quarantine at home during the March 2020 COVID-19 pandemic. In light of that worldwide event, the song sends a message of hope, fun and encouragement: That one day in the future, we’ll all be near one another again, once social distancing is no longer necessary. On that day, a new spring will bloom after the cold winter.
The Jolly Backbeat has multiple single releases slated for 2020 and beyond.
Please contact Benom if you have inquiries about any of the following:
University of the pacific Music Industry Studies Program
Speaking engagements and guest lectures
Published articles and comments on music industry topics/events
Music industry consulting (Fees are per project, per hour, by retainer or pro bono. NO LEGAL ADVICE.)
Professor Plumb Rock band inquiries, booking, press, licensing, etc.
The jolly backbeat inquiries, booking, press, licensing, etc.