“You can tell a lot about someone’s music by the expression on their face. That smile you see on Vi’s face every time you see him? You can hear it in every song.”
– Megan Lynch
From bluegrass and jazz to rock & roll and old-time fiddle, Vi the Fiddler exudes energy, passion, humor, and musical mastery in every performance.
Vi Wickam is a 4-time Colorado State Fiddling Champion, a finalist at the Grand Masters’ Fiddler Championship, and Runner Up in the National Fiddle Contest.
In 2018, Vi had 2 albums chart in the top 5 of Folk DJ Radio. His album Armadillo on a Hot Tin Roof hit #4 in April and stayed on the chart for 7 months. And his Christmas album ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas hit #5 in December.
From 1985-1995, Vi performed regularly with his brothers, father, and grandfather as The Wickam Family Band. From 1992-1995, the band performed on Blinky’s Fun Club, an iconic children’s TV show recorded at KWGN Denver.
In 2012, he recorded and published a different fiddle tune every day. His Fiddle Tune a Day project propelled him to fame in the fiddle and bluegrass community. You can watch all 366 episodes on his YouTube channel and read his commentary about each piece at his blog, ViTheFiddler.com.
Vi’s band – cleverly named Vi Wickam and The Band – performs a mix of Americana, old time, and popular tunes. He and cellist Dan Delaney perform together as Fritto Misto, serving up a mix of swing, pop/rock, and traditional music. Vi and dulcimer player Steve Eulberg form the due Fiddle Whamdiddle. And Vi regularly sits in as a guest musician for local bands.
In addition to performing, Vi is much in demand as a teacher at music workshops and camps around the US. He founded the online music school myTalentForge.com where students can access 700 different fiddle lessons.
Vi served for three years as the secretary treasurer of AFM Local 1000, the traveling musicians union. He’s a voting member of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, (the Grammy people.) He is an active member and presenter in the Colorado Chapter of the American String Teachers Association.
Vi comes from a long line of musicians dating back to his great-grandfather. Joseph Wickam was a professional violinist, published composer, and music teacher. Great-great-great-uncle George R. Poulton wrote the song Aura Lea; a tune made famous by Elvis Presley in Love Me Tender. His grandfather, father and brothers are all multi-instrumentalists as well.