Rory Phillips Releases Stirring Single And Video For ‘Dear Mum And Dad’
A poignant tribute to the ANZACs by the 2023 NSW Folk Federation Young Folk Artist of the Year, featuring Dobe Newton OAM of The Bushwackers.
Country and folk artist Rory Phillips is set to release his highly anticipated single, ‘Dear Mum and Dad’, on April 11, 2025. The heartfelt track brings a fresh, emotional perspective to the ANZAC legacy, telling the story of a young boy who runs away from school to enlist with the ANZACs during World War I.
The narrative unfolds through a series of letters written by the boy to his parents, capturing his journey from bravery and youthful optimism to the tragic despair of war. As the letters progress, listeners experience the emotional highs and lows of war, culminating in the devastating news of the boy’s death in battle.
‘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. Rory Phillips’ songwriting, penned at The Academy of Country Music in collaboration with Andrew Scharf, Jayne Denham, and Alan Caswell, creates a moving portrayal of the ANZAC experience. Produced by Roger Corbett at The Valley Studio, the track features the iconic voice of Dobe Newton OAM, best known as enigmatic frontman for The Bushwackers and as co-writer of the legendary song ‘I Am Australian’.
“This song is one of the most poignant songs about the ANZAC experience that I have come across in my lifetime,” says Roger Corbett of The Bushwackers.
‘Dear Mum and Dad’ marks the third single release from Rory Phillips, following his success as the 2023 Folk Federation of NSW Young Folk Artist of the Year. His deep connection to storytelling and “music with a message” shines through in this release, demonstrating his commitment to preserving and celebrating the cultural heritage of Australia, with a nod to his own New Zealand lineage as well.
Phillips claims “I’ve been participating in ANZAC Day marches and services from when I was a baby in a pram, so when Andrew Scharf came to us at The Academy with this idea for a song, it truly resonated with me, and I wanted to make it my own. With his blessing, and with financial support from the Country Arts Support Program, administered by Eastern Riverina Arts on behalf of the NSW Government, I think I’ve been able to achieve that.”
Fans of Rory Phillips can stream ‘Dear Mum and Dad’ on Spotify, Apple Music, and other platforms. The song is accompanied by a powerful and moving music video, created in collaboration with Tracy and Josh Beveridge of Roaming Creatives, and was shot on location at Newcastle’s Fort Scratchley and The Rail Motor Society at Paterson NSW.