Up-and-coming Tumut musician Rory Phillips has taken the Tamworth Country Music Festival by storm.
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Rory was the youngest person to perform in the final round of the festival’s busking competition.
It was the second time Rory has performed at the festival but this time also marked the launch of his first album, Cars and Guitars.
Rory said he wasn’t nervous playing in front of the crowds of more than 2000 people.
“It was all just exciting,” he said.
It is just the start of Rory’s journey, who has plans to make music his career.
He will perform at Tumbafest in February and hopes to play at the Byron Bay Bluesfest in April.
Rory said he has always wanted to be a musician, since his dad played him a song called In My Car by Joe Walsh.
“I was more into cars before dad played me that song and I just fell in love with it,” he said.
“I listened to it over and over and my love for music just got bigger and bigger.”
Rory’s mother Sam Phillips said she was proud of her son’s success.
“Tamworth was really hot and tiring – he did such a good job,” Ms Phillips said.
“I was especially proud of him in the busking finals, competing against all the adults.
“He conducted himself really well, he was so confident against people with more experience than him.
“He was as cool as a cucumber – I was more nervous than him.”
Wagga’s Dane Kennedy was also involved in the festival and took to Facebook to describe his adventure as “an amazing experience”.
“I had the opportunity to learn from the best in the business and built a platform to take my music to the next level,” Mr Kennedy said.
“I am so thankful to everyone for taking me in and being patient with this old dog learning new tricks.”
Mr Kennedy focused his time behind the scenes at the festival, co-writing with Kevin Bennett, Mike Carr and Fanny Lumsden.
He jammed with Lyn Bowtell, Kasey Chambers and Catherine Britt and developed his music production, distribution and business skills.
“I'm excited for what the future holds and can’t wait to take another step forward in my music journey with my family and friends,” he said.