Jimmy Barnes’ teen granddaughter Ruby Rodgers launches debut EP

Her grandfather is an Aussie rock legend, her mum is starring in Jesus Christ Superstar and her dad is an acclaimed musician. Now it’s Ruby Rodgers’ time to shine.

Ruby Rodgers wanted to be a MasterChef contestant, an actor, then an architect.

But the music DNA coursing through her veins from her parents Mahalia Barnes and Ben Rodgers, and grandfather Jimmy Barnes, was too strong to ignore.

The 15-year-old singer and songwriter has found a ready-made audience keen to check out her debut EP Crisis, thousands of fans who have followed her singing with her Australia’s famous musical family since she was a child.

“I’m so grateful for everyone who has been supporting my music because obviously it’s a very different genre from my grandpa’s and mum’s but I see how open people are to hearing this new stuff,” she said.

Ruby Rodgers has strong music DNA. Picture: Jonathan Ng

Rodgers was inspired to write her own songs while travelling through Europe in a vegetable oil-powered school bus with seven other children from around the world for the Damon Gameau documentary Future Council.

The ultimate school excursion was a mission to challenge powerful CEOs and people on the street to find solutions to ecological challenges.

Her EP features a cover version of Coldplay’s Fix You which the band gave permission to feature in the film.

The movie has already had a special screening at United Nations headquarters last year where Rodgers and her co-stars addressed the assembly.

“I sent Chris Martin and the band a copy of the song and a letter so we could get permission to use the song on the film trailer,” Rodgers explained.

“Apparently all the band heard it because they had to approve it, and now it’s out and I’m just so grateful that I got the opportunity to even get something through to them because they’re such inspirations to me.”

Rodgers already has fans in Coldplay after recording their poignant hit Fix You. Picture: Jonathan Ng

Rodgers wrote her first single Hits The Heart as a tribute to her co-stars in the film which will host special Q&A screenings in Australia next month before opening in cinemas in August.

The EP’s poignant opening track Family Tree hit a lot closer to home, inspired by missing her loved ones while she was travelling in Europe.

“My family have played such a big part in my life and the opportunities I’ve had are absolutely thanks to my family and I think it’s really important to appreciate that,” she said.

“And the song isn’t just about the idea of family by blood because I understand everyone has different situations, different meanings for family, and I think the idea of a family tree goes for anyone in your life that makes you feel safe, like you have a home, like someone to go back to.”

Ruby (right) with the Barnes family band including her mum Mahalia and sister Rosie. Picture: Ben Rodgers

Rodgers will continue to juggle her music aspirations with school for now and looks forward to the day when her rock legend grandfather joins her on stage to sing one of her songs after years of cameos at his gigs.

“I love singing with him, I love singing with the family and it would be an honour for me to be able to sing one of my songs with my grandpa,” she said.

The Crisis EP is out now.

Originally published as Jimmy Barnes’ teen granddaughter Ruby Rodgers launches debut EP