Story of the Album: This album started over five years ago with a simple conversation between my wife Christina and me. We were sitting together, talking about how much we love Thanksgiving—how it’s hands-down our favorite holiday. The gathering of friends and family, the copious amounts of food, the laughter, the stories, and none of the consumerism that tends to follow other holidays around.
The thing we kept coming back to was this: We need more Thanksgiving music!
I’ve always believed in music’s power to bring people together—to tell stories, to hold memories, and to create a sense of home. And I wanted to share the spirit of Thanksgiving with the world: not just the food, but the gratitude, the connection, the welcoming of strangers, the healing of old wounds.
I can’t think of a time in my life when we needed that spirit more than today.
The process started in earnest back in February, when I reached out to some of my favorite songwriting musicians—friends I admire deeply, not just for their talent, but for the way they show up in the world. I asked them if they’d be willing to write, or co-write, a song for this Thanksgiving album. And I asked just one thing: write something that captures what Thanksgiving means to you.
Each track on this album carries a little piece of that bigger picture—of thankfulness, family, humor, heartache, healing, and celebration. And now, I’m thrilled to finally share it with you.
Vi Wickam’s The Thanksgiving Album offers listeners a musical cornucopia of gratitude, relatable reflections, and humor. “Turkey in the Straw” is a hoot and a half!
– David Wallace
Vi Wickam’s new album, The Thanksgiving Album, is a delicious blend of styles of songs of the season of Thanksgiving. Like a buffet of season favorites, Vi has offered a tasteful variety of voices and instrumentation, all coming together in a celebration of thankful living from different points of view. Vi’s award winning fiddling and his own voice adds a solid base from which these stories emerge, from swing to country rock, Celtic influences and a duet influenced by a musical type scenario! Notable featured guests include fiddle champions Luke Bulla and Dennis Ludiker among many other vocalists and instrumentalists. This is an album of songs that could become a holiday favorite!
– Patty Clayton
Vi Wickam has assembled a marvelously, expressive and musically complementary group of songs for one of our nation’s most celebrated holidays, Thanksgiving! This talented musician has managed to collaborate with a marvelous group of friends to produce a recording that delivers with musicality, warmth and artistic joy. A wonderful listen throughout!
– Reggie Harris
Vi Wickam’s The Thanksgiving Album is something special. It’s not just a collection of songs — it’s a gathering of stories, voices, and musical friends who’ve come together to celebrate what Thanksgiving is really about: connection, gratitude, and the beauty of shared moments.
Each song feels personal and live, brought to life by incredible musicianship and thoughtful arrangements. There’s a wonderful mix of styles, and every track adds something unique to the table. I found myself smiling, reflecting, and even singing along before it was over.
This album reminds me why music matters — it brings people together. The Thanksgiving Album does exactly that, and I’m thankful for it.– Aaron Fowler
Folk Singer and President of AFM Local 1000, The Traveling Musicians’ Union
1. Another Fine Day for Thanksgiving
Words: Vi Wickam, Lani Nielsen, Christina Gressianu
Music: Vi Wickam
Performers: Fiddle: Vi Wickam, Guitar: Dave Beegle, Irish Flute: Nathan Townley, Bodhran: Max Francis, Bass: Dave Beegle, Lead Vocal: Vi Wickam, Additional Vocals: Joe O’Keefe, Nathan Rivera, Zee Crain, Andy May
Story of the Song & Lyrics:
A lively Celtic fold romp brimming with humor and heart, this pub-style tune brings everyone to the table — gluten-free biscuits included. With toe-tapping fiddle, in whistle, and bodhrán driving the beat, it’s a joyful toast to togetherness that’ll have you raising your glass and singing along in no time. Lighthearted yet deeply human, it’s a feel-good anthem for family, and found kin alike.
2. Each New Day (feat. Luke Bulla)
Words & Music: Luke Bulla
Performers: Lead Vocal: Luke Bulla, Harmony Vocal: Vi Wickam Guitar: Luke Bulla, Mandolin: Dennis Ludiker, Bass: Dick Gimble
Story of the Song & Lyrics:
“Each New Day” hits like a quiet revelation. When Luke Bulla first played me the demo, this song gripped me — gentle, raw, and deeply human. It traces a road finding gratitude through facing childhood pain, and finding hard-won forgiveness. Luke leans in, turning struggle into redemption. the final lines, offered to his kids, land softly with love and hope. This isn’t just Thanksgiving in a song, it’s a reminder to be grateful — for every chance, every sunrise, each new day.
3. Grateful (feat. Daniel Whittington)
Words & Music: Daniel Whittington
Performers: Lead Vocal: Daniel Whittington, Harmony Vocal: Vi Wickam, Mandolin: Dennis Ludiker, Fiddle: Vi Wickam, Guitar: Daniel Whittington, Bass: Dick Gimble
Story of the Song & Lyrics:
“Grateful” is Daniel Whittington at his best — tender, raw, and steeped in the dusty melancholy of Texas country. He turns joy into something weighty, like sunrise after a long night. This song isn’t just about gratitude for what we have, but for those who carry us through the hard places. A quiet, powerful meditation on love, loss, and healing, it’s bound to stir your heart and mist your eyes.
4. Sitting At The Table (feat. Joe O’Keefe)
Words & Music: Joe O’Keefe & Vi Wickam
Performers: Vocals: Joe O’Keefe, Vi Wickam, Fiddle: Vi Wickam, Piano: Joe O’Keefe, Bass: Dave Beegle
Story of the Song & Lyrics:
This is a true blurry lighthouse in the distance song. From the moment I created the chorus I knew what the shape of the story and song would be. It is autobiographical in terms of relating my actual Thanksgiving dinners with my family as we fought through the hangriness. Not every sibling has the same childhood. but when it comes to my grandmother, we all got the love. This song is a thank you note to her, my parents and my siblings. — Joe
5. My Kind of November (feat. Zee Crain)
Words & Music: Zee Crain
Performers: Lead Vocal: Zee Crain, Harmony Vocal: Vi Wickam, Fiddle: Vi Wickam, Guitar: Dave Beegle, Bass: Dave Beegle, Percussion: Christian Teele
Story of the Song & Lyrics:
Thanksgiving once meant family traditions — some comforting, some heavy with obligation. Over time, I realized the life I wanted didn’t fit the expectations of my hometown, so I left to start anew. Distance changed everything: missing holidays at first felt like loss, but it soon became freedom, a chance to build my own truth. This song honors that shift — the bittersweet of letting go, and the gratitidue for solitude, calm, and the road ahead. — Zee
6. I’m At Home (feat. Nathan & Jessie)
Words & Music: Jessie Andra Smith
Performers: Lead Vocals: Jessie Andra Smith, Harmony Vocals: Vi Wickam, Nathan Rivera, Fiddle: Vi Wickam, Resonator Guitar: Jessie Andra Smith, Nathan Rivera, Bass: Nathan Rivera, Piano: Nathan Rivera, Accordion: Nathan Rivera
Story of the Song & Lyrics:
“I’m at Home” is Jessie Andra Smith’s heartfelt answer to What does Thanksgiving mean to you? — home. Not just a place, but the feeling of love and belonging. She sets that spirit against a backdrop of traditional jazz, western swing, and desert air. The song paints adobe walls, mountain sunrises, and slow mornings with coffe, unfolding like a tender love letting under a New Mexico sky.
7. Welcome At The Table (feat. Matt Bell)
Words & Music: Matt Bell
Performers: Lead Vocals: Matt Bell, Harmony Vocals: Vi Wickam, Electric Violin: Vi Wickam, Matt Bell, Guitars: Cole Sipe, Bass: Todd Howard, Drums: Christian Teele
Story of the Song & Lyrics:
In 2016, Arizona grandmother Wanda Dench accidentally texted 17-year-old Jamal Hinton an invitation to Thanksgiving, mistaking him from her grandson. when Jamal asked if he could still get a plate, Wanda said yes — and meant it. That first meal sparked a lasting friendship, and Jamal has joined Wanda’s family at the table every year since. Their story has touched millions, a living reminder that kindness and connection can turn strangers into family.
8. Billy Bob
Words: Roy Williams
Music: Vi Wickam & Joe O’Keefe
Performers: Vocal: Vi Wickam, Guitar, Vi Wickam, Fiddle: Vi Wickam, Piano, Joe O’Keefe, Organ: Dave Beegle, Bass: Dave Beegle
Story of the Song & Lyrics:
“Billy Bob” fires off like a cheeky, toe-tappin’ spin on “A Boy Named Sue,” complete with an endearing twist. Driven by ’70s country rock swagger, it crackes with wit, outlaw charm, and rom-com fun. Behind the laughs and barroom swagger beats a story of identity, love, and the wild beauty of family. Rowdy yet tender, it just might be the only love song that ends with five kids and a nod to Johnny Cash.
9. Turkey In The Straw (feat. Luke Bulla & Dennis Ludiker)
Music: Traditional
Performers: Fiddle: Vi Wickam, Dennis Ludiker, Luke Bulla, Mandolin: Dennis Ludiker, Guitar: Luke Bulla, Dennis Ludiker, Tenor Guitar: Dennis Ludiker, Bass: Dick Gimble
Story of the Song: Turkey in the Straw is one of my favorite old time fiddle tunes, and Thanksgiving felt like the perfect time to bring it back. When I found myself in the studio with Dennis Ludiker and Luke Bulla, a triple fiddle cut was simply inevitable. Each of them brings a distinct voice to the tune, and together we created a joyful, toe-tapping ride — tradition with a twist, and plenty of fiddle fire. — Vi