Vi The Fiddler's Wordpress Blog

Neargrass Junction at Genoa

Vi Wickam — Tue, 03 May 2011 02:34:05 +0000

It’s time to make some music! Come on out and join the fun!

When: Tuesday May 17

Where: Genoa Coffee and Wine

2614 S Timberline Rd. #C101

Fort Collins, CO

Time: 7:00 p.m.

Genoa Coffee and Wine is a wonderfully intimate venue run by truly terrific folks. We’ll be making ourselves at home there Tuesday night May 17 and playing a little livingroom bluegrass….and whatever else strikes our fancy.

We’d love to see you there!

Little Kenny & Neargrass Junction

(Ken, Kimberly, Jimmy, Eric and Vi the fiddler)

www.neargrassjunction.com

Music changes perception

Vi Wickam — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 20:59:54 +0000

Music and mood are closely interrelated — listening to a sad or happy song on the radio can make you feel more sad or happy. However, such mood changes not only affect how you feel, they also change your perception. For example, people will recognize happy faces if they are feeling happy themselves.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/04/110427101606.htm#

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: FIDDLE CHAMP VI WICKAM RELEASES DEBUT CD LONG TIME COMIN

Vi Wickam — Sun, 06 Feb 2011 16:02:46 +0000

Vi’s music is rooted in tradition, but not buried in the past. It’s innovative, eclectic, and fun. Long Time Comin’ features a new spin on traditional tunes with fresh takes on modern favorites. On the CD, which features nationally recognized Jazz vocalist Mandy Harvey, you’ll find a little bit o’ swing, a little more funk, beautiful ballads, and some down and dirty blues (NOW with MORE COWBELL!). Fortunately, the album is a lot more cohesive than this disjointed press release makes it sound.

AS SEEN ON TV! VI Wickam is an accomplished fiddler who has won contests all over the United States. Vi is a composer, songwriter, and he even sings. He’s from a musical family; the Wickam Family Band played all around Northern Colorado, including 3 years as the house band on the nationally syndicated but now retired Blinky’s Fun Club. Vi is an entertaining and engaging performer. Long Time Comin’ features a cast of expert musicians: Brent Hawley on knock-your-socks-off acoustic guitar, Jim Abraham’s toenail-singeing electric bass, and Chris Beers’ tasty drummin’. The siren voices of Mandy Harvey, Kristianne Gale, and Kimberly Schug add polish and will melt you in your seat.

Long Time Comin’ will be released at a family-friendly and awesome party at Avogadro’s Number (http://www.avogadros.com/) in Fort Collins, Colorado on March 25, 2011 at 8:00PM.

For more information, promo requests, or an interview, please contact Vi Wickam at:

Vi “The Fiddler” Wickam

PO Box 270918

Fort Collins, CO 80527

Phone: 970-215-6366

Blog: http://www.vithefiddler.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vithefiddler

January $5 Fiddling Workshop – Playing In a Band Part II

Vi Wickam — Fri, 07 Jan 2011 18:08:02 +0000

Announcing a new Meetup for Fort Collins Traditional Music!

What: January $5 Fiddling Workshop – Playing In a Band Part II

When: Thursday, January 20, 2011 7:00 PM

Price: $5.00 per person

Where: Magnolia Music Studio
210 W Magnolia Street (northwest corner of Magnolia and Mason)
Fort Collins, CO 80521
(970) 481-8661

Hey All,

The first How to Play Fiddle in a Band workshop went well, but we really didn’t have time to interact and give each member an opportunity to "play in the band".

This time, we are going to be interactive. Greg Fisher has volunteered to help out, and we will be playing some fun oldtime songs and giving you all an opportunity to play lead and harmony.

The Songs we will be playing are:
Rollin In my Sweet Baby’s Arms – A
John Henry – G
Tennessee Waltz – D

The Keys listed are only suggestions, and if you prefer to play it in a different key, that is fine with me.

Bring your fiddle, and any other instrument you wish. Other instrumentalists are welcome as well. This will be a fun time, and less structured than most of the workshops have been.

Hope to see you there!

RSVP to this Meetup:
http://www.meetup.com/Fort-Collins-Traditional-Music/calendar/15959506/

CD Release Party: March 25 – 8:00PM, Avogadro’s Number

Vi Wickam — Fri, 07 Jan 2011 16:54:21 +0000

Who’s Invited: YOU!!!

What: CD Release Party – Long Time Comin’ – Vi “The Fiddler” Wickam

When: Friday, March 25, 2011, 8:00PM

Where: Avogadro’s Number, 605 S. Mason St. Fort Collins, CO

Come join us for the CD Release party for Vi Wickam’s long awaited CD, "Long Time Comin".

Save the date. It’s going to be a great time!

Admission is free, but we do request that you bring a non-perishable food item to donate for the Larimer County Food Bank.

This CD Features the following local favorites as well:

Mandy Harvey – Vocal

Kristianne Gale – Vocal

Kimberly Schug – Vocal

Brent Hawley – Guitar, Mandolin, Mandola

Jim Abraham – Bass

Chris Beers – Percussion

I hope to see you there!

Pregnant mother’s diet impacts infant’s sense of smell, alters brain development

Vi Wickam — Wed, 08 Dec 2010 01:47:42 +0000

A major new study shows that a pregnant mother’s diet not only sensitizes the fetus to those smells and flavors, but physically changes the brain directly impacting what the infant eats and drinks in the future.

"Many diseases plaguing society involve excess consumption or avoidance of certain kinds of foods," said Restrepo, a professor of cell and developmental biology. "Understanding the factors that determine choice and ingestion, particularly the early factors, is important in designing strategies to enhance the health of the infant, child, and adult."

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/12/101201095559.htm?sms_ss=email&at_xt=4cfe4ab394760f50%2C0

Cripple Creek – Vi Wickam and Brent Hawley

Vi Wickam — Tue, 23 Nov 2010 00:10:52 +0000

I had an awesome opportunity to open for April Verch last night at Avogadro’s Number in Fort Collins. I was lucky enough to also have Brent Hawley available to join me on guitar. Thanks to Rob at Avo’s, Brent, and April for helping make it happen.

I’m going to be posting some videos from this gig. The first is cripple Creek.

http://www.youtube.com/v/LB8VE_aAoxA&hl=en&fs=1

Opening for April Verch – Avogadro’s Number

Vi Wickam — Fri, 19 Nov 2010 20:59:33 +0000

I am totally stoked for this weekend because I have the opportunity to be the opening act for The April Verch Band this Sunday night at Avogadro’s Number in Fort Collins, CO.

April Verch is one of the top Canadian Fiddlers, and she’s a heck of a stepdancer too. I am sure that you will enjoy her playing.

I am so excited to be opening for such a talented musician. I hope you all can come to see April Play (and me too).

If you are not familiar with April, you can check out her website, or watch the video below:

http://www.aprilverch.com

http://www.youtube.com/v/gmmfdyBtvGU&hl=en&fs=1

Indiana State Picking and Fiddling on Public Radio WNIN

Vi Wickam — Sun, 14 Nov 2010 16:23:43 +0000

The Indiana State Picking and Fiddling Championships will be featured on WNIN public radio and WNIN.org. Wednesday November 17th at 7:00PM CST.

Listen in and enjoy the great music, and you might even catch yourself on the air.
Listen Life online at:

http://wnin.org/listenlive

Respond to the Facebook Event invite:

https://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=129322680458136

Scientists turn skin cells directly into blood cells, bypassing middle pluripotent step

Vi Wickam — Fri, 12 Nov 2010 15:45:30 +0000

via sciencedaily.com

Pretty amazing, but what would be more amazing is if they could go the other direction and create other types of tissue from blood. Blood is easily and quickly replaced, and plentiful in the body. Skin, plentiful, but not so quick and easy to replace.