It’s a Father and Son BondFEST
Frank Bombaci, Sr. may not be able to turn water into wine, but he does know how to turn it into gold – which he’s now sharing with his son. One of the founding fathers of Vitamin Water, Bombaci, Sr. now filters his passion and expertise for growing a business onto Frank, Jr., an 18 year-old Loyola University freshman, who inspired Bring Our Music Back, Inc., (a.k.a. B.O.M.B.) a non-profit dedicated to the enrichment of life and healing through music.
When he isn’t being the archetypal college student, Bombaci, Jr. is fully engaged as Artistic Director extraordinaire, filling his somewhat limited spare time producing B.O.M.B. Fests – all-day music festivals where local talent shares a voice and venue with national recording artists. The part that’s crystal clear for both Bombacis is giving back to their community – B.O.M.B. donates 70 percent of ticket proceeds to select national and local charities and causes. While Bombaci, Jr. can’t physically be at the heart of where the operation was founded in Old Lyme, CT, he makes up for it in soul and a lot of hard work. And, he has his dad’s full backing. “This kid doesn’t fool around,” says Bombaci, Sr., who perpetually powwows with his son daily via email, text and phone. In an industry full of veterans, this young visionary calls the shots and, poppa Bombaci lets him. “He blows me away with his depth of ideas and his vision,” says Bombaci, Sr., but Frankie’s just doing what daddy told him to do — “Pursue your passion. Do it with intensity. Take and mold a model that will help other people.”
At the heart of their success is the Bombaci bond. Frankie, as his dad calls him, spends more time celebrating his dad’s approval rather than trying to win it. And, he has no plans to unseat his old man, for it’s Frankie who sits up front. The team just seems to make a living and a life sharing a heavy dose of inter-generational reverence. Frank Sr. gives his son the room he needs to bring a vision to life and Bombaci, Jr. in turn, is secure enough to study dad’s lessons at each and every twist.
The father-son duo has spent the last two years building the 501(c)3, constantly thinking of ways to preserve music as an art form, but neither are newcomers to music. As a young boy, his dad’s album covers enamored Frank Jr. and while most kids today don’t even know the word vinyl, Frankie was exposed to his parent’s vinyl collection from before he could walk. “Frankie has re-ignited my passion for music,” says Frank, Sr., “and, now this is something we can naturally share together.”
When it comes to building business success, Bombaci Sr. solemnly vows that besides a great product and a strong brand, passion is key. And, both Franks are insanely passionate about the business. Not only branding it, but also ensuring that every soul they deal with is as intoxicated about the B.O.M.B. brand. Don’t bother knocking on their door or stepping foot onto their stage(s) unless you can sink your own teeth into the indie-techno-color vibe known as bringing the music back.
B.O.M.B. Fest 2010, produced by Bring Our Music Back, Inc., heads to the Durham Fairgrounds on Memorial Weekend – Sunday, May 30 where four stages will hold national and local acts for a ten-hour music festival. Beneficiaries include Hole In The Wall Camps, Connecticut Children’s Medical Center and YPI, a children’s camp for artistic development.
Contact:
Leni Herschman/ 646-515-1937
Ilene Mitnick/860-638-8568
