Rod Phillips Bio
Performance Experience
At the early age of 15 Rod had established his life's direction, playing classical piano, keys in dance bands, and singing and playing in churches and memorial services for income in his hometown of Parsons, KS. By age 17 he was church organist; in high school he played piano in the stage band, drums in the marching band, and cello in the orchestra. He taught himself to play guitar, banjo, mandolin, and harmonica, sang and played guitar in folk groups and acted in every musical and play he could find- and started to write what would eventually become a library of nearly 600 songs.
New Christy Minstrels
Rod tours with NCMs 1973-74
After graduating from North Texas State in 1972 with a Master's in music, Rod toured with the New Christy Minstrels nationwide as music director, singing their 1962 Grammy-award winning song "Today" in the show.
1973, Rod, front w banjo and 70's pants (!)
OMG, those pants! Also my friend David (Gerry) Bevan at R. with upright bass, Miss Texas (Mae Beth Cormany), center, with flowers, posing with concert sponsors and other member of the New Christy Minstrels.
Christies had many hits and Gold Records from 1962-75
A showcase group that many people passed through, besides the original group leader, Randy Sparks, Barry McGuire, Kenny Rogers, and (some say) John Denver may have traveled with them in the early days.