About RORY...

“Rory Phillips always displays a professional enthusiasm way beyond his years, and definitely has a way with an audience”
Bill Chambers (ARIA Winner, Golden Guitar Winner and father of Kasey Chambers)

17 year old Rory Phillips fell in love with music at a very early age and oddly, it was the music of Joe Walsh (the "Eagles”, “James Gang”), which initially hooked him. Drawn to Joe’s rock and blues guitar sound, Rory was captured by the instrument and consequently, was given his first guitar at age five. Fast-forward to 2015, to an Eagles concert in the picturesque setting of Hanging Rock in regional Victoria, and young Rory shared a moment in time with his hero that he will never forget.  Holding up a rain-soaked sign which read, “Hey Joe, I play guitar because of you”, Walsh saw Rory’s sign during the final song, smiled and waved at him, then took two guitar picks from his pocket and asked the security guard to give them to him.

Feeling more inspired than ever, Rory continued to hone his performance and playing skills, with the dream of one day being able to play like his idol.  It is a tall order, but Rory continues to chip away at it.  His career highlights so far include supporting GRAMMY Winner Billy Ocean on his 2023 Australian Tour (Canberra show), being named the 2023 Folk Federation of NSW Young Folk Artist of the Year (senior category), being a two-time graduate and now intern of the CMAA Academy of Country Music, an officially endorsed artist of Cole Clark Guitars, Buzz Box Guitars and Achillies Amps, and the Snowy Valleys Council Young Citizen of the Year 2020. Additionally, in 2019 Rory became the youngest ever member of iconic Australian band, The Bushwackers (triple Golden Guitar Winners and 2021 Inductees into the Australasian Country Music Roll of Renown), joining them on lead guitar and bass, a testament to his ability as an accomplished musician. He also joined Sara Storer’s touring band on lead guitar in 2023 at just 16 years old. Rory has appeared with Australian blues legends Lloyd Spiegel (named by Australian Guitar Magazine as one of the Top 50 Australian guitarists of all time), Ash Grunwald, Bondi Cigars front man, Shane Pacey and backbone of The Backsliders, Dom Turner. He has supported/played with ARIA winners Sara Storer, Fanny Lumsden, Shane Nicholson, William Crighton and Bill Chambers, and Golden Guitar winners Bennett, Bowtell & Urquhart, Catherine Britt, Amber Lawrence, Andrew Swift and Blake O’Connor.

Although only 17, Rory has been playing on festival stages since the age of seven and has achieved a long list of accolades in that time. In 2022 his single The Truth was named a finalist in the inaugural Environmental Music Prize alongside some industry superstars such as Paul Kelly, Lime Cordiale, Briggs + Tim Minchin, Holy Holy and King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard, to name a few…not bad for a song he co-wrote when he was just 12!  The Truth is a passionate call-to-action on climate change which premiered on Henry Wagons’ ‘Tower of Song’ on ABC Double J, with Rory being the youngest artist Henry has ever featured. The Truth also achieved a #1 spot on the AMRAP Regional Charts, a Top Ten in Green Music Australia’s Climate Fridays Songwriting competition and, along with Rory’s debut music video, received national, regional and local media attention for all the right reasons.

“Rory Phillips is one of a kind.  He is a tiny force to be reckoned with (who won’t be tiny for much longer) and I think this song is really showcasing his growth, and something he really cares about”
Fanny Lumsden (2 x ARIA Winner, 9 x Golden Guitar Winner)

Rory’s follow up single, released in December 2022, takes an insightful look into the mental health struggles of young men. Because Boys examines why young men and boys find it so hard to talk about their feelings and tries to break down the stigma associated with asking for help.  Co-written with 5 x Golden Guitar Winner, Ashleigh Dallas, and fellow graduate of The CMAA Academy, Freddie Bailey, Because Boys was chosen by the NSW Department of Education's The Arts Unit as the repertoire piece for their 2023 Boys' Vocal Program, was a semi-finalist in the 2023 ‘Listen Up Music’ Songwriting Prize (which advocates for mental health), and was featured (along with Rory performing it) in the 2023 NSW Schools Spectacular which was broadcast on Channel 7. 

“I think it’s so refreshing to watch a young artist be confident to share and convey the important message within this song which is all a positive step in the right direction towards change and removing the stigma”
Ashleigh Dallas (5 x Golden Guitar Winner)

“Young men will hear this song from Rory and take it like a high five from a mate, rather than a lesson from a teacher”
Max Jackson (Golden Guitar Winner and 2022 Toyota Star Maker Winner)

EPK

To access Rory’s EPK (Electronic Press Kit) with downloadable assets and approved promotional materials, please click HERE.

ENDORSEMENTS

Achievements

Festivals / Events where Rory has performed:

·     Blues, Brews & BBQs - Tumut, NSW (2024^) ^with Wild Tracks

·     Cobargo Folk Festival - Cobargo, NSW  (2024, 2023, 2019)

·     TumbaFest - Tumbarumba, NSW (2024^, 2023, 2022, 2017) ^with Wild Tracks

·     Tumut River Tap Days - Tumut, NSW (2024^, 2023^) ^with Wild Tracks

·     Tamworth Country Music Festival - Tamworth, NSW (2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016)

·     NSW School Spectacular (Featured Artist) - Sydney, NSW (2023)

·     Sydney Folk Festival - Sydney, NSW (2023)

·     Echuca Moama Winter Blues Festival - Echuca, VIC (2023)

·     Billy Ocean Australian Tour - Canberra, ACT (2023)

·     Riverina Climate Update - Wagga Wagga, NSW (2023)

·     Wintermoon Festival - Camerons Pocket, QLD (2023)

·     The Man From Snowy River Festival - Corryong, VIC (2023, 2022, 2021)

·     Ciderfest - Batlow, NSW (2023, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015)

·     Bendigo Blues & Roots Easter Blues Bender - Bendigo, VIC (2023)

·     Bendigo Blues & Roots Music Festival - Bendigo, VIC (2022, 2019) and Online (2020)

·     Rock The Turf - Tumut, NSW (2022)

·     Winter Bites Tumbarumba - Tumbarumba, NSW (2021)

·     Arbour Festival - Pilot Hill Arboretum, NSW (2021)

·     Falling Leaf Festival - Tumut, NSW (2021, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2014)

·     Artstate - Wagga Wagga, NSW (2020)

·     Live, Local, Original - Wagga Wagga, NSW (2020)

·     Fanny Lumsden ‘Fallow’ Album Launch - Tooma, NSW (2020)

·     Katherine Outback Blues Festival - Online (2020)

·     Kangaroo Valley Folk Festival - Kangaroo Valley, NSW (2019)

·     Lanterns on the Lagoon - Tumut, NSW (2019, 2015)

·     International Blues Music Day - Wagga Wagga, NSW  (2019, 2018)

·     Australian Blues Music Festival - Goulburn, NSW  (2019)

·     Toyota Hats Off To Country - Tamworth, NSW  (2018, 2016)

·     Sydney Country Music Festival - Bella Vista Farm Park, Sydney, NSW  (2018)

·     Country Rocks Under The Stars - Mona Farm, Braidwood, NSW  (2018)

·     Peak Music Festival - Perisher, NSW  (2018)

·     Cork & Fork Fest - Wagga Wagga, NSW (2018)

·     Bonnie Doon Music Festival - Bonnie Doon, VIC (2018)

·     Melbourne Guitar Show - Melbourne, VIC (2017)

·     Byron Bay Bluesfest (Roaming Busker, Busking Stage) - Byron Bay, NSW (2017, 2016)

·     Floriade (Regatta Point Stage, Stage 88) - Canberra, ACT (2017, 2016)

·     UBERfest - Sydney, NSW (2017)

·     Woodstock "Rocking the Central West" - Woodstock, NSW (2017)

·     Junee Rhythm N Rail Festival - Junee, NSW (2017, 2016)

·     National Cherry Festival - Young, NSW (2016)

·     Farm Draft - Wagga Wagga, NSW (2016)

·     Riverina Round Up - Junee, NSW (2016)

·     Batlow Apple Blossom Festival - Batlow, NSW (2016)

·     Rock or Bust Music Fest - The Rock, NSW (2015)

Awards / Achievements:

·     2023 Folk Federation of NSW Young Folk Artist of the Year (senior category)

·     Semi-finalist - 2023 Listen Up Music Songwriting Awards for ‘Because Boys’

·     Ambassador - 2023 Positive Schools Initiative

·     Ambassador - 2023 Environmental Music Prize

·     Finalist - 2022 Environmental Music Prize for ‘The Truth’

·     2020 Snowy Valleys Council Young Citizen of the Year

·     Top Ten Climate Fridays Songwriting Competition (Green Music Australia 2020) for ‘The Truth’

·     Semi Finalist - NSW/ACT Young Achiever Awards 2020 (QPAC Performing Arts Award category)

·     Winner - 2RRR Junior Male Rising Star 2019 (Tamworth Country Music Festival)

·     Winner - ICMA Patti McKinnon Encouragement Award 2019 (Tamworth Country Music Festival)

·     Finalist - Yamaha Battle of the Young Stars 2019, 2016 (Tamworth Country Music Festival)

·     Winner (Junior Section) - Tamworth Champion of Champions Event 2018 (Tamworth Country Music Festival)

·     Winner (Junior Section) - Mount Franklin Junior Talent Quest 2018, 2016 (Tamworth Country Music Festival)

·     Finalist (Junior Section) - Aristocrat Country Entertainer of the Year 2018 (Tamworth Country Music Festival)

·     Finalist (Open) - Contemporary Song of the Year 2018 (Tamworth Songwriters Association) for Cars and Guitars

·     Finalist (Open) - Tamworth Country Music Festival Busking Championships 2017, 2016

·     Featured Busker, Grommets Busking Competition - Byron Bay Bluesfest 2017, 2016

·     Winner (Primary Section) - Australian National Busking Championships 2016

·     Winner - Bidgee Blues Club People’s Choice Award 2016

·     Second Place - Wagga Wagga StarFM Australia Day Talent Quest 2016

·     Finalist (Junior Male Vocal) - Capital Country Music Association 2016 (Tamworth Country Music Festival)

·     Third Place (Primary Section) - Australian National Busking Championships 2015

·     Encouragement Award - Wagga Wagga StarFM Australia Day Talent Quest 2015

Photographer: Philip Millar Photography

Home image photographer: Van Der Photography