vikideemusic

  Camp Rehoboth Publication

     Rehoboth Beach, De

          "LETTERS"

Article written by: Stefanie Deoul

When local singer/songwriter Viki Dee takes the stage, the audience is as much a part of the show as the songs she sings.  With a loyal following that’s made her a staple of the Rehoboth Beach scene, there’s plenty of “shout outs” to fans and song choices that celebrate special moments.  You see, Viki Dee’s that rare breed of singer/songwriter called an entertainer.

The daughter of renowned trombonist and vocalist, Tony Dee, Viki’s second home has always been on stage and her comfort with the crowd is reflected in her act.  Performing is as natural for Viki as breathing is for you or me.

And so on the 13^th of April at 5:30PM when a funny thing happened along First Street in Rehoboth Beach, no one should have been surprised. 

 First the crowds arrived and then overflowed The Frogg Pond, spilling onto the sidewalks, all gathered for the release of Viki’s new album, DRIVE.  And while singing and writing may be natural gifts, putting together an album of her work to her standards was not an easy task.  “I had just moved from Maryland where I had a standard set of gigs and was struggling to find a way to break into the beach clubs and restaurants.  So, for the first time in many years, singing was just not paying the bills and I was really having doubts – as much as I loved my new home, should I have just stayed where I was?  What if I had killed my career?”  Writing music suddenly took a back seat to paying the mortgage.

Rescue came from an unlikely place.  One of Viki Dee’s songs, “Chance to Dream”, a “new old-fashioned standard” was heard by the music editors for Lifetime’s television series, “Missing”, starring Vivica A. Fox and suddenly, in a charming scene guest-starring Kelly Ripa, Ms. Dee’s music was well, if not front and center, underneath and keeping things moving nicely.  And as happens, those elusive club dates began to fill up her date book.

Which brings us back last week, to those overflowing crowds, when the entertainer lit up the room, the restaurant and the street in celebration.  DRIVE has arrived.  And it’s name and title song are perhaps coincidence, but DRIVE is what Viki Dee has and DRIVE is what it took to bring this night home.

So next time you’re in Rehoboth Beach, come down and share an evening with Viki Dee – and don’t forget to say hi.  This entertainer loves to celebrate a night with songs, both old and new, and friends, both old and new !

Hold fast to dreams

for if dreams die

life is a broken-winged bird

that cannot fly.

            -Langston Hughes

     Viki Dee

Now available for bookings in the Coachella Valley and LA area.

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