The Boxcar Lilies Biography

Since 2009, Americana trio The Boxcar Lilies have been wowing audiences with their standout marriage of superb songwriting and spine-tingling, innovative harmonies. Accompanying themselves on guitar, clawhammer banjo, concert ukulele, and washboard, The Lilies are quickly making a name for themselves as they bring their uniquely warm sound and energetic stage presence to venues across the Northeast, including The Iron Horse Music Hall, Club Passim, and Philadelphia's Tin Angel, and opening for legendary songwriters like Bill Staines and Lucy Kaplansky. They were recently selected to perform an official showcase at the 2012 International Folk Alliance Conference.

Based in the Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts, The Boxcar Lilies are Jenny Goodspeed, Stephanie Marshall, and Katie Clarke. Each an accomplished singer-songwriter in her own right, the three met through a local musician’s cooperative and discovered a shared passion for three-part harmony. They began playing together informally and in the summer of 2009, Goodspeed invited Marshall and Clarke to join her for the Falcon Ridge Folk Festival’s Emerging Artist showcase. They knew then that they had something special and decided to make it official.

Over a few beers and a plate of nachos at a local tavern, The Boxcar Lilies were wed. Yes it was a shotgun wedding. They married their love (read: obsession) for great songwriting and sweet harmonies and set out to arrange originals and some of their favorite cover songs by the likes of Fred Eaglesmith, Neil Young, and Gillian Welch. They recorded their debut CD Heartwood the following summer with esteemed producer Dave Chalfant (Erin McKeown, The Nields).

Comprised of nine originals and a stellar version of Neil Young’s “Old Man”, Heartwood pays homage to a range of traditional genres including folk, bluegrass, and country, but it has a decidedly contemporary feel. The hallmark of the record is The Boxcar Lilies’ lush and intricate harmonies.

Their singing voices, like their writing voices, are distinct and exceptional, but combine to make a delicious whole – a sound that is sometimes delicate, sometimes gritty, but always uniquely warm and welcoming. Backing Jenny (guitar, concert ukulele), Stephanie (guitar, percussion), and Katie (guitar, banjo), are an impressive group of musicians including Dave Chalfant on guitar and bass, Jim Henry (Mary Chapin Carpenter, Tracy Grammer) on Dobro, guitar, and mandolin, and Eric Lee (The Strangelings) on fiddle.

Tracks from the record have been played on numerous radio stations in the U.S. and abroad, including Gene Shay's The Folk Show (WXPN, Philadelphia), WRSI (Northampton, MA), and on Rich Warren's Midnight Special (WFMT, Chicago/Syndicated) when it was named one of "Rich's Picks" for the week.

Zak Jason of The Cape Cod Times said, "From the chugging bliss of “Green River Blues” to the dizzying banjo work of “Feels Like Home,” the Boxcar Lilies pack the album with reflective lyrics, masterful instrumentation and infectious harmonizing, their trademark quality.”



	Jenny Goodspeed (vocals, guitar, concert ukulele) bloomed as a singer-songwriter in the rich Denver music scene of the 90s where she played local venues and festivals, including the renowned Swallow Hill Music Association and recorded a demo with respected producer Patrick Brickel (Greg Brown). In 2007 a concert presenter heard Goodspeed sing and offered to help finance a CD. The end result was the release of her debut CD Under the Ash Tree. The record debuted at #12 on the Roots Music Report Folk Top 50, was added to over 100 folk and AAA radio stations in 31 states, and earned her finalist slots in numerous songwriting contests including the 2009 Falcon Ridge Emerging Artist Showcase and the 2009 Mountain Stage New Song Contest.

Stephanie Marshall (vocals, guitar, percussion) has brought her brand of folk-rock and country to audiences throughout New England, winning them over with her soulful voice and effortless performance style. Stephanie grew up learning about the music business from frequent visits to Nashville where her songwriter sister lived. At the age of 14, she swiped her brother’s guitar and a Neil Young songbook and taught herself a few songs. Soon she headed out to her first open mic and entered a talent contest. Armed with a big smile and a few chords, she captivated her audience and won first place. In 2006, Stephanie released her latest solo CD Silk and Steel which won her a spot as a 2007 Falcon Ridge Folk Festival Emerging Artist.

Katie Clarke (vocals, guitar, banjo) honed her vocal and guitar styles playing bluegrass jams and Celtic sessions. She made waves with the dynamic musical group The Green River Band who wowed audiences with their crisp and eclectic mix of American roots music at performance halls, churches, festivals, and opening for nationally and internationally known acts. Her big voice has earned her a solid reputation as a crowd-pleasing artist whose songwriting deftly navigates the territories of folk, country, gospel, bluegrass and old time music without sounding derivative. In 2006, Katie released Wrap Me in Green, her first full-length CD of all original material.