Bio - Vi Wickam

The music runs through my blood.

The year was 1865. The American Civil War wheezed to a bloody end at Appomattox. And George R. Poulton published the song Aura Lea.

You know that melody.

You just don’t know that you know it.

In 1956, Elvis Presley exploded onto the music scene singing Poulton’s iconic tune, but with different words: Love Me Tender.

George R. Poulton is my great-great-great uncle.

The music runs through my blood.

My great-grandpa Joseph Wickam was a professional violinist, a published composer, and a music teacher. My grandfather and father were both talented instrumentalists. I play the fiddle, guitar, mandolin, bass, and viola. My brothers are all musicians too.

From 1985-1995, we all performed together as The Wickam Family Band. From 1992-1995, we were featured on the syndicated children’s show Blinky’s Fun Club.

The music runs through my blood.

My musical tastes run from bluegrass to classical to jazz, from rock & roll to old-time fiddle.

My fiddle playing and singing can be heard on a more than dozen recordings, including six of my own. I’ve played with bands throughout the United States and England. I’m a four-time Colorado State Fiddling Champion. And I’ve been a finalist four times at the Grand Masters’ Fiddler Championship.

I’m a voting member of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, (the Grammy people.) And I served for 3 years as secretary-treasurer of AFM Local 1000, the traveling musicians union.

I founded an online music school, directed the Indiana State Fiddle Contest from 2006-2009 and I’m an active member and presenter in the Colorado Chapter of the American String Teachers Association.