DAMON SMITH
“Damon Smith sat at a grand piano, exhibits his effortless ability”
- Milly Farmer
PERFORMER/WRITER/PRODUCER
Damon Smith: "Smith's versatility clearly knows no bounds." – Phil Stafford, The Weekend Australian.
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Damon Smith is a multiple award-winning musician and creator known for his virtuosic musicianship, whip-smart stage presence and relentless creative output across disciplines. His 2022 album Skeletons debuted at number two on the Australian Blues and Roots Charts, received airplay on over 50 stations nationwide, and was nominated for a Music Victoria Award, ultimately winning the Melbourne Blues Society’s prestigious Chris Wilson Award. His 2023 follow-up album went on to take home the Music Victoria Award.
He has played with, and shared line-ups with, a who’s who of Australian music, including Boy & Bear, Bernard Fanning, Diesel, Mark Seymour, Joe Camilleri, Rebecca Barnard, Wilbur Wilde, Barney McAll, Jeff Lang and many more.
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Damon’s creative work spans film, television, radio and writing. In 2021, his debut documentary film Mental As Everything, an intimate and bold exploration of mental illness, won multiple international awards and was featured on ABC TV’s Re-Frame and on SBS On Demand. His writing has appeared in Cinema Australia, Samuel Johnson’s book Dear Lover, and other publications.
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DAVID COSMA
“his full-bodied croon pairs the silken wryness of Elvis Costello and the gravel of Bob Dylan.
- Ruth McIver, The Age
PERFORMER/WRITER/PRODUCER
David Cosma: “His full-bodied croon pairs the silken wryness of Elvis Costello and the gravel of Bob Dylan.” – The Age.
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When not fronting Sun Rising, Melbourne-based singer-songwriter David Cosma delivers his original music with sumptuous melodies, rich harmonies, and thought-provoking lyrics, guaranteeing an impassioned listening experience and live performance. He’s toured and supported acts including Pete Murray, Josh Pyke, Joe Camilleri, Russell Morris, Brian Cadd and Mark Seymour and Jeff Martin of The Tea Party, to name some.
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During COVID’s lockdowns, he launched the EJ Isolation Sessions, live-streaming performances from the backseat of his 1963 Holden — attracting new fans and followers to his music. His unique, self-taught method of playing right-hand-strung guitars in a left-handed manner complements his luminous songwriting, which spans several albums.
His latest album, set for release in 2025, was partially recorded at Sun Records in Memphis!
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TRENT MCKENZIE
“Trent McKenzie is a treat to watch plucking away on his double bass.”
- the clothesline.com
PERFORMER
“Trent McKenzie is a treat to watch plucking away on his double bass.” - THE CLOTHESLINE.COM
Trent McKenzie’s professional bass playing began in 2000 when he was employed as the bass player on Channel 7’s ‘Denise’ program. This opportunity allowed him to perform and tour with a number of Australian and international stars such as the Drifters, Charlie Pride, Al Jarreau, Larry Adler, Normie Rowe and Frankie J Holden.
Trent has toured Australia with everything from Elvis and Johnny Cash impersonators, The Rat Pack and Grease show incarnations and a number of original bands which has seen him play Australia's finest music festivals alongside Aussie icons such as Mick Thomas, Mojo Juju and Neil Murray. Trent has received numerous awards and accolades for recordings with such artists as Sal Kimber and the Rollin’ Wheel, Abbie Cardwell and the Chicano Rockers, Tracy McNeil and the Good Life.
PHIL COLLINGS
“PHIL COLLINGS is aN EXCELLENT ADDITION TO THIS AMAZING SHOW"
PERFORMER
Phil Collings is a dynamic drummer, composer, producer and educator whose boundary-pushing work spans jazz, experimental, theatre and contemporary music. Known for his precision, musicality and creative risk-taking, Phil has worked with artists such as Kim Salmon, Damon Smith, Wouter Kellerman (Grammy Winner 2014), Darren Middleton (Powderfinger), and Sophie Koh.
A touring artist with Ilbijerri Theatre Company’s Jack Charles V The Crown (2010–18), his credits stretch from New York’s Broadway to Australia’s most adventurous stages. Phil currently performs with The Red Triangles, +F:rst Sunn+, Damon Smith, The Lightswitch Trio and more.
ADRIAN WHYTE
“exceptionally talented”
- STORIES WELL TOLD.COM.AU
PERFORMER
“Adrian Whyte Is exceptionally talented” - STORIES WELL TOLD.COM.AU
Adrian Whyte is one of the hardest working and versatile guitar players in Melbourne. Stylistically speaking, it’s easy to see how his virtuosity has been shaped, more-so inspired, by some of his favourite guitarists including Chet Atkins, Wes Montgomery and Scotty Moore.
As a music educator, Whyte is also a prolific YouTube content creator and has grown a worldwide audience by teaching his beloved styles of guitar styles: Rockabilly and Psychbobilly, which allows him to continue to develop and share his craft. His Youtube channel has amassed 10,000 followers, a testament to his high quality videos and highly skilled performances and adds to an already, commendable list of achievements
Adrian is also an original songwriter and has written and performed in bands including, Manic Pistoleros and The Vaudevillains. He has supported Psychbobilly giants, Tiger Army, Nekromantix and Mad Sin and has released several records.
ADRIANWHYTEMUSIC.COM
LISA MARMUR
"A prodigious talent”
- the advertiser
PERFORMER
With a magnificent voice and a dazzling stage presence, Lisa Marmur captivates her audiences with world class performances and beautiful songs.
At 21 years of age, she moved to Phoenix, Arizona and joined a community of musicians and artists where she sharpened her skills and toured extensively at myriad clubs and festivals across the USA. Lisa also supported many popular artists including opening for the Foo Fighters and Joey McIntyre (NKOTB)
Since her return to Australia, Lisa has recorded her own music, performed in several bands and is a published writer. She holds a bachelor of Arts (a major in Literary Studies/a minor in Theatre and Performance) and is currently applying her passion for storytelling and scriptwriting, to explore and represent diverse human experiences.
THE BIRTHPLACE of ROCK N ROLL. ​
Sun Rising – The Birth of Rock and Roll is a 5-star, critically acclaimed production that packs a powerful tribute to the birthplace of modern music: Sun Records.
This legendary Memphis studio gave rise to a revolution, launching the careers of Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, and more.
Endorsed by the family of Sun Records founder Sam Phillips, Sun Rising goes beyond nostalgia. It digs deep into the heart of rock ’n’ roll, honouring the groundbreaking Black artists whose influence shaped the genre, and shining a spotlight on the trailblazing women of Sun Records. Their voices, often left out of mainstream music history, are brought roaring back to life by Lisa Marmur, whose stunning vocal performances are a highlight of the show.
Leading the charge are three of Melbourne’s most respected musicians. Damon Smith, a multi-award-winning pianist and songwriter, delivers fiery and soulful performances, blending virtuosic blues and roots-style piano with smoky vocals. Signed to a US label, his recent original work has topped blues and roots charts and earned national acclaim.
On guitar is Adrian Whyte, a rockabilly and jazz virtuoso whose jaw-dropping technique and encyclopaedic knowledge of early electric guitar styles have earned him a devoted international following through his youtube educational channels. Whyte channels the spirit of Scotty Moore, Carl Perkins and Johnny Cash with effortless authenticity.
Narrator David Cosma is the emotional thread of the show. A charismatic storyteller and crooner, Cosma’s deep connection to Elvis and 1950s music shines through every word. With years of Elvis tribute performances and a genuine reverence for the era, he brings rare authenticity to the story of Sun. His unique guitar style — playing right-handed guitars upside-down — adds yet another layer of vintage charm.
Rounding out the band are Trent McKenzie on upright bass and Phil Collings on drums, delivering the punchy drive and swagger of the original Sun rhythm sections. From the signature slap of Bill Black to the crisp backbeat of DJ Fontana, this rhythm section nails the feel, live and loud.
