Visit the different SWBA web pages (over 60 in all)  by clicking  below

To Contact 

Lilies of the West

Call (714) 635-5834
e-mail jlilies@pacbell.net

 
Lilies of the West CD's


 

 

 

 

 

 

Page Updated 06/05/2008

 

SWBA Member Band

  
 
 

Lilies of the West

  

 

Since 1980 the Lilies of the West, an all-woman, old-time string band has been entertaining enthusiastic listeners with their lively renditions of American traditional and bluegrass music.  The Lilies combine their talents to bring the music of our land to life with their spirited instrumentals featuring the banjo, fiddle, hammered dulcimer, guitar, penny whistle and stand-up bass.  Their harmony singing gives new vitality to old songs and can be heard on their digitally-recorded CD entitled “Seeds of Tradition.” 

This award winning-band has performed at the Nixon Museum, Calico Ghost Town, Laguna Sawdust Festival and the Los Angeles and Orange County Fairs.   The Lilies have been featured guests at local musical events including Norco’s Golden West Bluegrass Festival, the Topanga Banjo and Fiddle Contest and the Claremont’s Spring Folk Festival. They have also entertained at the Museum of Appalachia’s Fall Homecoming in Norris, Tennessee, the historic Carter Fold in Hiltons, Virginia and the National Old-Time Country, Bluegrass & Folk Festival in Avoca Iowa.  The Lilies have been favorites at countless outdoor summer concerts in the park, company picnics, family reunions, barbecues, harvest festivals and country and Victorian Christmas craft fairs. 

Part of the Lilies’ charisma and charm is their personal enjoyment of the traditional music they play and their delight in sharing it with others.  In their shows they encourage audience participation, tell funny stories and sing songs with an animated flair.  The Lilies of the West can be the picture frame of any event that involves good old-fashioned, toe-tapping fun. 

 

Band Member Profiles

 

JILL SPENCE-WORLEY
Jill, a founding member of the Lilies, dreamed of being a cowgirl but never left Anaheim, Ca.  The influence of The Beatles led Jill to take up the guitar at age nine. Her parents ordered her first guitar from the Sears and Roebuck catalog. She turned to folk singing at YMCA summer camps.  As a kindergarten teacher, Jill often entertains her students with the same songs she learned as a child.

 

BARBARA WHITNEY 
Barbara, a native Virginian and co-founder of the Lilies, taught the band how to correctly pronounce "Appalachia".  She studied classical violin, but was always drawn to what was then considered "hillbilly" music.  After her first career as a geologist, Barbara now works as a fiddle teacher and naturalist.
 

PATTY McCOLLOM 
Patty, the Texas "belle" of the Lilies, was so inspired by the Lilies’ sound when they performed for her folk dance group that she went out and bought a banjo.  Buying a banjo was no easy task as Patty is left-handed.  She provides a strong Celtic influence with her banjo playing and penny whistle.   Patty is also a featured musician in the Irish group, Atlantic Crossing.  Patty is a high school chemistry teacher in Whittier.

 

MARCIA BRUNO 
Marcia joined the Lilies in August 2002 and one month later packed her bags to join the band at The National Old-Time Country, Bluegrass & Folk Festival in Avoca, Iowa. She started playing the accordion at the age of 10. Music has always been a part of her life and she has taken up many instruments along her musical path. Her most recent venture has been the stand-up bass.   Marcia’s slapping beat and bass runs have been the driving force in several bands. When she is not playing music, she enjoys the role of wife, mother and grandmother.

 

KAREN HARVEY 
Karen is the most recent member of the Lilies and she jumped in with both hammers flying.  Her hammer dulcimer playing provides the signature sound of the Lilies of the West.  She is an experienced performer, dulcimer teacher, and recording artist.  Karen has performed as a solo artist and with several traditional music bands in CA and VA.  She brings to the group a sweet charm and love of traditional music.   Karen enjoys the fun of playing music with others and is a great asset to the ensemble. Her day job is in the field of nursing and education.
 
 

Appearance Schedule
 

No information currently available (5/28/07)