Rory Phillips

Rory Phillips is an artist known for his evocative songwriting and storytelling, and musicianship beyond his years. His songs blend alt-country and folk sounds with modern influences, often tackling important themes of mental health, the environment and heritage. He is the Musician-in-Residence at the CMAA Academy of Country Music, was named the 2023 Folk Federation of NSW Young Folk Artist of the Year, the 2020 Snowy Valleys Council Young Citizen of the Year, is an endorsed artist of Cole Clarke Guitars, Achillies Amps and Buzz Box Guitars and is currently enrolled in a Bachelor of Creative Arts (Music) at the University of Wollongong on the Vice-Chancellor’s Leadership Scholarship.

At 13-years-old, Rory began touring with iconic Australian band, The Bushwackers (3x Golden Guitar Winners & 2021 Inductees into the Australasian Country Music Roll of Renown), and at 16 joined (ARIA Winner, 22 x Golden Guitar Winner) Sara Storer’s touring band on lead guitar, a testament to his ability as an accomplished musician. His 2022 single The Truth was named a finalist in the Environmental Music Prize alongside Australian superstars such as Paul Kelly, Lime Cordiale, and Holy Holy. His follow-up single, Because Boys, was chosen by the NSW Department of Education as the repertoire piece for their 2023 Boys' Vocal Program, as well as being featured in the 2023 NSW Schools Spectacular, with Rory performing as a featured artist. His latest offering, Dear Mum and Dad, is a powerful exploration of bravery, loss, and the harsh realities of war, framed through the lens of a young man and a family’s heart-wrenching sacrifice. The song creates a moving portrayal of the ANZAC experience and features the distinctive voice of Dobe Newton OAM, best known as frontman of The Bushwackers and co-writer of I Am Australian. 

“This song is one of the most poignant songs about the ANZAC experience that I have come across in my lifetime”
Roger Corbett (3 x Golden Guitar Winner and Australasian Country Music Roll of Renown Inductee)

Musically, Rory sits anywhere in the realm of blues, alt-country, folk or rock, and aside from his dynamic playing, most say it is his confidence and stage presence which sets him apart from his peers. Bill Chambers (2x ARIA Nominee, 1x Golden Guitar Winner) has described Rory as “always displaying a professional enthusiasm way beyond his years, and definitely has a way with an audience” and is just one of a long list of industry heavyweights to have invited Rory to share the stage with him over the years, including GRAMMY Winner Billy Ocean, who Rory supported on his 2023 Australian Tour (Canberra show).  A self-confessed “genre-hopper”, Rory has been a key member of 4-piece local rock band ‘Wild Tracks’ since 2022, who continue to make waves on their local festival circuit and are writing and releasing music. In 2024, Rory also formed ‘The Rory Phillips Trio’, a predominantly blues cover band with a backline that lets Rory’s extraordinary guitar playing and strong vocals shine at centre stage. The Trio has just started dipping their toes in the water of the blues festival circuit, recently proving themselves to be a big hit at the 2025 Echuca-Moama Winter Blues Festival. 

Snapshot Bio/Intro:
Rory Phillips is a young man with an engaging stage presence, who will leave his audience impressed with his musicianship and enamoured with his personality.  At 19, Rory has already achieved more than most and musically, sits anywhere in the realm of blues, alt-country, folk or rock.  Sets usually include originals, but also a mix of the classics he loves.