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Mary Schneider
AM
Born (1932-10-25) 25 October 1932 (age 91)
Rockhampton, Queensland, Australia
GenresCountry, yodelling
Occupation(s)
  • Singer
  • songwriter
Years active1945–present
Formerly ofThe Schneider Sisters

Mary Schneider AM, (born 25 October 1932) is an Australian singer and performer, who is a master at the classic Swiss Alpine style. She is best known for yodelling the works of various standards by many a classic composer. Her repertoire has covered everything from yodelling of classical music pieces to marches and European folk music tunes and big band.

Her daughter Melinda Schneider is also a country music entertainer and performer.

Biography

This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (March 2023)

Schneider was born to George Frank Schneider and his wife Amelia, one of five, she is of Bavarian descent and started her performing career in 1945, when with her sister Rita Schneider (1928–2009)[1] they formed the duo The Schneider Sisters who in 2002 were inducted into the Australian Roll of Renown.[2] The sisters also received honours with the ACE Awards Lifetime Achievement Award[1]

Mary attended with her sister Our Lady of Victories School in Bowen Hills, and during the final years of the Second World War years entertained troops in Brisbane at a cooncert party, after which Mary auditioned Dick Fairs Australian Amateur Hour radio show, she was initially passed over, but after returning with her sister Rita, as a singing duo, they were accepted.

They made their first professional appearance at radio on 4BH on program "Smokes for Sick Soldiers", and were signed to EMI's Regal Zonophone label in 1950 and toured with Mack's Revue Company. In 1957 they toured entertaining troops stationed in Korea and Japan, and later in 1970 toured South East Asia for American troops

Mary and her sister were staples on TV shows appearing on early ABC series Seeing Stars and also local TV in Brisbane on variety shows, performing harmony basis to such stars as The Bee Gees[1]

She has appeared on numerous TV shows including the Don and Mike Show, The Howard Stern Show and National Public Radio[3] in the US, Spicks and Specks and Enough Rope[4] on ABC TV and Eurotrash in the UK. Schneider was recognised in the Queens Birthday Honours in 2012.

Discography

Albums

List of albums, with Australian chart positions
Title Album details Peak chart
positions
AUS
[5]
The Magic of Yodelling
  • Released: 1981
  • Format: LP, Cassette
  • Label: K-Tel (NA 614)
 33
Can't Stop Yodelling
  • Released: 1983
  • Format: LP, Cassette
  • Label: K-Tel (NA 656)
 70
Australia's Queen of Yodelling
  • Released: 1986
  • Format: LP, Cassette
  • Label: Colstal Music (MARY 101/2)
 –
Yodelling the Classics
  • Released: 1997
  • Format: CD
  • Label: Koch Crossover Music (3-6650-2)
 –
Yodelling the Classics II
  • Released: 2001
  • Format: CD
  • Label: Musigal Music (RMGRO434)
 –
The Great Mary Schneider – Australia's Queen of Yodelling
  • Released: 2005
  • Format: 3x CD
  • Label: Rajon (CDR0425)
  • Compilation album
 –
Ultimate Collection
  • Released:
  • Format: CD
  • Label:
  • Compilation album
 –

Awards and honours

Australian Roll of Renown

The Australian Roll of Renown honours Australian and New Zealander musicians who have shaped the music industry by making a significant and lasting contribution to Country Music. It was inaugurated in 1976 and the inductee is announced at the Country Music Awards of Australia in Tamworth in January.[6]

Year Nominee / work Award Result
2002 The Schneider Sisters (Mary and Rita Schneider) Australian Roll of Renown inductee

Mo Awards

The Australian Entertainment Mo Awards (commonly known informally as the Mo Awards), were annual Australian entertainment industry awards. They recognise achievements in live entertainment in Australia from 1975 to 2016. Mary Schneider won five awards in that time.[7]

Year Nominee / work Award Result (wins only)
1983 Mary Schneider Vocal / Instrumental Act of the Year Won
1984 Mary Schneider Vocal / Instrumental Act of the Year Won
1985 Mary Schneider Vocal / Instrumental Act of the Year Won
1986 Mary Schneider Vocal / Instrumental Act of the Year Won
1987 Mary Schneider Vocal / Instrumental Act of the Year Won

Tamworth Songwriters Awards

The Tamworth Songwriters Association (TSA) is an annual songwriting contest for original country songs, awarded in January at the Tamworth Country Music Festival. They commenced in 1986.[8] Mary Schneider has won two awards.[9]

Year Nominee / work Award Result (wins only)
1999 "The Video Song" by Rita and Mary Schneider and Jim Haynes Comedy/ Novelty Song of the Year Won
2009 The Schnieder Sisters Songmaker Award awarded

References

  1. ^ a b c Glenn A. Baker (12 April 2009). "Singing sister a TV pioneer". Sydney Morning herald. Retrieved 30 March 2023.
  2. ^ "Roll of Renown". TCMF. Archived from the original on 4 September 2018. Retrieved 21 August 2018.
  3. ^ Yodeling The Classics, (broadcast 10 November 1997), All Things Considered
  4. ^ Louise Nunn, (18 June 2009) Healing power of sweet music, The Advertiser
  5. ^ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 266. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
  6. ^ "Roll of Renown". Tamworth Country Music Festival. Retrieved 29 October 2020.
  7. ^ "MO Award Winners". Mo Awards. Retrieved 16 March 2022.
  8. ^ "Tamworth Songwriters Association". Tamworth Songwriters Association Online. Retrieved 23 March 2022.
  9. ^ "Tamworth Songwriters Association Past Winners". Tamworth Songwriters Association Online. Retrieved 23 March 2022.

External links

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