About Lilli
Lilli Worona is a singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist living and performing in Central Oregon. Growing up, Lilli was influenced by her father who is a classically trained vocalist, music teacher and guitarist. With her father’s encouragement, she began violin lessons at a young age and performed classically at her local synagogue where her father was a cantor.Lilli continued pursuing music through high school and college where she sang in acapella and classical groups that toured around the northeast. In 2007, Lilli moved to Bend, OR, where she joined the popular roots rock group Broken Down Guitars a few years later. Broken Down Guitars was the winner of 2012’s Last Band Standing; the prize money from this contest allowed them to record their first album, Passports, in 2013.
After playing for years with BDG and touring throughout the Pacific Northwest, Lilli left BDG to join local country outfit Dry Canyon Stampede in 2017 where she played country-style fiddle and sang lead vocals until the Covid-19 pandemic derailed their touring schedule. During the pandemic, Lilli set her sights on her first original album; a collection of 10 original songs that were perfected during the slow, lonely days of lockdown. This album, Between the Lines, was released in 2021 and paved the way for Lilli to focus more fully on performing her original songs in a singer-songwriter format.
Lilli’s sophomore album, Maritime Siren, is set to release in early 2025 and is a collection of Americana story-centered songs that speak to place, connection and circumstance.
Currently, Lilli plays locally throughout Central Oregon with a small offshoot of Dry Canyon Stampede called Grits n' Gravy. Additionally, Lilli performs some of her original music with Mike Biggers and also with John Shipe, a singer songwriter from Eugene, Oregon.
In addition to music, Lilli is a part-time middle school science teacher at Elton Gregory Middle School in Redmond, Oregon. In her free time, she enjoys spending time in the mountains and hanging with her husband Dave and her feline daughter Splinter. She is incredibly thankful for her community, friends and family who support her musical endeavors and provide overwhelming encouragement and love.
Current Projects
Lilli collaborates with talented musicians in her projects.
.png)
Grits n’ Gravy are a Central Oregon 3-piece country favorite, consisting of Lilli Worona (fiddle and vocals), Mike Biggers (acoustic guitar and vocals) and Kurt Silva (acoustic guitar and vocals). The three played previously together in the country outfit Dry Canyon Stampede, but when Lilli Worona decided to focus instead on her acoustic original material, they kept their magic alive through this small offshoot of the original band. Grits n’ Gravy is a highly energetic, fun loving group that appeals to all ages and sensibilities. Audiences love their well-crafted takes on country and americana music, their eclectic set-lists, and easygoing stage demeanor.
John Shipe is an accomplished Americana/Rock artist from Eugene who has been playing live music for over 20 years. He previously played and toured nationally with the Renegade Saints, a hugely successful rock band from Portland, Oregon. He now plays full-time as a singer/songwriter/guitarist across the state. Gushing reviews surround Shipe’s dozen albums of Americana work, which have charted in 6 countries and on 3 continents. John and Lilli have been playing as a dynamic duo since early 2022, bringing their unique style to venues all across Oregon. Their beautiful harmonies, well-crafted original music and on stage charisma are not to be missed!
Mike Biggers is a dynamic songwriter and guitarist from Sisters, Oregon. Mike has been writing and performing original folk and americana music for over 20 years. His songs reflect everyday life through his personal experiences and observations, often displaying his use of wordplay and dry sense of humor. Mike and Lilli have been playing together for over 5 years, bringing their dynamic and engaging music to venues in Central Oregon. Audiences love their well-crafted original music, eclectic set-lists, and easygoing stage demeanor.