Ivan and Vivian Hicks are well known for their contribution to the preservation and promotion of old-time fiddling throughout North America.  Many albums and hundreds of concerts have made Ivan and Vivian a very popular duo in the entertainment scene.

Ivan Hicks, with 60 years of playing old-time music, has shared his talents with many students, young and old alike, and has been an inspiration to countless others.

Ivan Hicks, the composer, the recording artist, the mentor and the performer is ".....synonymous with the types of music which is part of Atlantic Canada's heritage."  His music is a gift, a legacy passed to him from his parents.  Ivan has become a great musical ambassador for his home province of New Brunswick as well as Canada.

Ivan has been a member of various bands including: "Marshwinds" dance band (1969-1989) and "Martime Express" old-time and bluegrass band (1979-present).  In the late 1970's, he formed the fiddle group "The Sussex Avenue Fiddlers" of which he is director.

Ivan is actively involved in promoting, attending and instructing at workshops.  He continues to judge fiddling contests throughout Canada.

He is a consultant for various aspects of the music business and is an organizer and promoter of concerts and tours.  Ivan has and continues to make many personal appearances throughout Canada and the USA.

Ivan and Vivian have made an outstanding contribution to the Canadian music scene.  Many awards and honours have come to them including induction into the New Brunswick Country Music Hall of Fame (Ivan & Vivian) and the North American Fiddlers Hall of Fame (Ivan).  Ivan and Vivian Hicks have always demanded and achieved a high standard of excellence in their performances and related musical activities.

IVAN HICKS:

• Started performing at age six
• Has been a member of oldtime, country and bluegrass bands
• Has done stage concerts, dances, radio and television work and recording
• Competed in and won many fiddling contests from 1959-1980
• Performed in the Marshwinds dance band from 1969-1989
• Formed an old time and bluegrass band in 1979 - still performing
• Maritime Fiddle champion and finalist in Canadian Championships
• Published two books of fiddle tunes
• Recorded and produced 15 recordings
• Was host of a weekly radio show, CFQM-Radio, Moncton for 13 years
• Has made many personal appearances throughout Canada and USA
• Was inducted into the New Brunswick Country Music Hall of Fame - 1985
• Was inducted into the North American Fiddlers Hall of Fame, Osceola, New York - 1990
• Is co-founder and director of the Maritime Fiddlers Association
• Is director of the National Old Time Fiddlers Association, USA
• Is teaching the art of fiddling to young and old
• Actively involved in promoting, attending and instructing at workshops
• Is in demand as performer and Master of Ceremonies
• Has been MC at the Maritime Fiddling Contest, Dartmouth, N.S. - eleven years
• Is organizer and promotor of concerts and tours
• Is consultant for various aspects of the music business
• Has recorded two albums in Nashville, Tenn., USA
• Has had a book written on his life and music (1996)
• Host and instructor of the Ivan Hicks Downeast Fiddle Camp
• Has been actively involved in New Brunswick Tourism Day Adventures - evening music

VIVIAN HICKS:

Born Vivian Paulette Webb at Gagetown, New Brunswick, December 3, 1945, the daughter of Kenneth and Bernadette Webb. Vivian lived her first six years in New Jerusalem and in the early 1950's her family moved to Lower Millstream, New Brunswick. She took piano lessons at an early age from Mrs. Milton Baxter, Apohaqui, N. B. It was not until she met her future husband, Ivan Hicks, in the late sixties that Vivian became seriously interested in piano accompaniment. While teaching in the elementary schools in Salisbury, N. B., she met Ivan and they spent many evenings in the Salisbury High School gymnasium where Vivian learned the art of chording with the fiddle.

On July 4, 1970, Vivian and Ivan were married. Both continued to teach in Salsibury and hone their musical skills. In 1974, they moved to Riverview, N. B. In 1976, the first time Ivan competed in the Maritime Old Time Fiddling Contest in Dartmouth, N. S., Vivian accompanied him on guitar. The following year, she accompanied him on piano. From this time on, Vivian has been an accompanist on all of Ivan's recordings and on numerous other recordings by other artists.

She has assisted Ivan in teaching the art of old time fiddling and piano to youngsters and adults, and has encouraged many to take up the piano or fiddle. Vivian continues to give confidence to and share tips with others.

During the 1970's and 80's Vivian looked after the sound and lighting for the "Marshwinds" dance band and did a few vocals. Since 1980, Vivian has been a member of the Maritime Express old-time and bluegrass band in which she played piano, did some vocals and looked after their sound and lighting.

Vivian has been an official house piano accompanist at various fiddle contests including the Maritime Old Time Fiddling Contest since 1985. She is a free lance writer for several Canadian and American music publications. She is actively involved in concert performance, marketing and production throughout Canada and the United States, instructs at piano seminars, promotes and markets old-time fiddle music, has made several radio and television appearances and continues to be involved in recording projects. She also was sound technican for live performances and CFQM - Radio fiddle show.

In 1996, she was inducted into the New Brunswick Country Music Hall of Fame.

Her outgoing personality and willingness to help others has involved Vivian in many community groups and events such as: "ATV's Christmas Daddies, Safe Grad, TADD, entertaining seniors and numerous benefits and fund raisers.

Vivian is past president of the Maritime Fiddlers Association and continues to support the preservation and promotion of old-time fiddling and country music.

VIVIAN'S AWARDS/CERTIFICATES:

• Induction - New Brunswick Country Music Hall of Fame - Contribution and service to Country Music - October 5, 1996
• Certificate of Recognition - Maritime Fiddler's Association - being inducted into the New Brunswick Country Music Hall of Fame October, 1996
• Thank you Plaque - Gary Morris, Prime Time Recording for love, loyalty and music - September 1996
• Plaque of Recognition - Prime Time Fellow Musicians, Friends & Fans - of talents shared, encouragement and inspiration
• Certificate of Recognition - Town of Sackville - contribution to our Community - January 1996
• Village of Dorchester - Recognition of Musical Talents - January, 1996
• Province of New Brunswick - Acknowledgement of Outstanding achievement in the field of music - January 1996
• New Brunswick Day - 1996 Merit Award - August 5, 1996
• Ton Veta's Award - October, 1996
• The Steve Towns Memorial Trophy - Douro's Canadian Olde Tyme Fiddle and Step Dance "Hall of Fame" - 1996
• Certificate of Congratulations - Al Kavanaugh, MLA for Riverview - for being inducted into the New Brunswick Country Music Hall of Fame
• Honorary Citizen - City of Moncton - June, 1996