Rory Phillips is still in his teens and has been playing on festival stages since he was seven. He is a graduate of the CMAA Academy of Country Music and has also been an intern there. He plays with the Bushwackers, he’s been in Sara Storer’s band, and that’s really the tip of the iceberg of his achievements, which include releasing the singles ‘The Truth’ and ‘Because Boys’. He now has a new single, ‘Dear Mum and Dad’.
‘Dear Mum and Dad’ was written at the CMAA Academy of Country Music in Tamworth, as a collaboration with student Andrew Scharf, who had the original idea, mentor Jayne Denham, and Alan Caswell. It was produced by Bushwacker co-founder Roger Corbett at The Valley Studio, and features the voice of fellow Bushwacker Dobe Newton OAM, co-writer of the anthem ‘I Am Australian’ (which last year was released in a Youth Collaboration version, featuring Rory’s vocals). It’s a song about war and sacrifice, released in time for Anzac Day 2025.
Rory is one of the busiest humans around – of any age – yet he found time to film a music video for the song and we talk about the making of it, including the uniform he wears in it, in the interview seen above (audio-only version also available above). We also speak about his work at the Academy, as well as touring with Sara Storer, and how he’s fitting in his musical life around uni studies. He’s been passionate about music since he was very young, and if anything that passion has only grown as he’s developed more skills and had more experience. He may be young but his sense of service to music is inspirational.
Rory plays with The Bushwackers on Anzac Day at Blacktown RSL in Sydney.
The next day The Bushwackers are in Tumut at the Falling Leaf Festival, then they’re back in Sydney on Sunday 27 April at Camden Hotel.
Details at: https://thebushwackers.com.au/gigs/
Listen to Rory Phillips on Apple Music
