Wabash Valley Musicians Hall of Fame
'Promoting fellowship and friendship among all musicians of the Wabash Valley'
Musical History of Victoria "Vikki" Birchfield
Musical Influences
Victoria "Vikki" Layton started singing about the time she began to talk.
She had a song for every occasion. Being very shy, she found that
singing was a safe way to communicate. She started singing in
church at age 10, and by age 11 she was in her first band, "Vickie and
the Country Cousins". They played on local radio station WPFR
every Saturday.
Her parents bought a piano when she was 9, and provided lessons for her
and her sisters. She took lessons for a few years and learned the
basics of reading and playing music, but eventually stopped playing.
She played flute for a couple of years in Junior High School. As
with the piano, she didn't continue with the instrument.
She began playing guitar at age 11 because she had become a big fan of
Loretta Lynn and wanted to imitate her. She played rhythm guitar
and sang in many bands, and also performed as a solo act in supper clubs,
bars and lounges.
Her early career was in the Terre Haute area, but after graduation her
music led her to central Illinois (Effingham, Charleston, Vandalia, etc.),
then to Chicago. One of her bands, "The Bossmen", was based in
Chicago but played throughout the Midwest and Texas. Eventually,
she returned to Terre Haute.
Vikki has performed under her maiden name of Layton and married names of
Wendholt, Scott and Birchfield. She was inducted into the Hall of
Fame as Vikki Scott.
Musical Career
Victoria performed with the following acts. Many of the dates from the 1960's and 70's are estimates:
| 1963-1966 | The Country Cousins |
| 1966 | Vickie Layton and Keith Reedy |
| 1967-1969 | Roy Stevens and the Cajuns |
| Mid 60's-Early 70's | Helen Ann and the Playmates |
| Mid 60's-Early 70's | Red Ryder and the Little Beavers |
| Mid 60's-Early 70's | Vikki, Sam and Vic |
| Mid 60's-Early 70's | Vickie Layton and Paul Cooper |
| Mid 60's-Early 70's | Vickie Layton and Company |
| 1969-1971 | Dick Neace and the Country Swingers |
| early 70's | Mel Pittler Band |
| Early 70's | Paul Lundington Band |
| 1973-1974 | Tunda |
| 1974-1976 | Night Shift |
| 1974-1976 | Vikki and Brian |
| 1976-1982 | The Bossmen |
| 1979 | Beats Walking |
| 1982 | Crosstown Express |
| 1968-2009 | Vickie Layton/Vikki Scott (solo act) |
| 2011-2016 | Vikki and Gary |
| 2016-Now | Tones of Joy |
| 2020-2022 | Flashback |
Memorable Moments
At age 11, Vikki was playing every Saturday on local radio station
WPFR.
She appeared on WTWO-TV's "Johnny Stiffy and the Ranch Hands" show
several times while in high school.
She appeared on WTWO-TV's "Of Thee I Sing" gospel show several times
while in high school.
She had a half-hour Gospel radio program on a local Christian station
in the 1970's.
She was the opening act for Bill Anderson, Dottie West, Tom Paul and
the Galsser Brothers, Marty Robbins, and Statesman.
She sang with Connie Smith's backing band at a local festival when
Connie became ill and could not perform.
She sang on the Ernest Tubb Record Shop show after the Grand Old Opry.
She performed in an impromptu concert in Gary, IN, when Jerry Lee Lewis
failed to appear for the concert.
She sang on the Midwestern Hayride with Kenny Price.
Vikki worked with children in various social/educational programs, singing
with them and encouraging them to enjoy and create music.
Hall of Fame
Victoria was inducted into the Hall of Fame as a part of the Class of 2010.
She was elected to the Board of Directors in 2016, and has the
distinction of being the first female to serve on the Board.
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Last update on 20 Jan 2024