Mary Schneider
Mary Schneider AM, (born 25 October 1932) is an Australian singer, songwriter and performer, a country 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.
Mary Schneider | |
|---|---|
| Born | 25 October 1932 Rockhampton, Queensland, Australia |
| Origin | Australia |
| Genres | Country, yodelling |
| Occupation(s) |
|
| Instrument(s) | Vocals |
| Years active | 1945–present |
| Formerly of | The Schneider Sisters |
Her daughter, is the ARIA Award winning singer-songwriter Melinda Schneider, is also an Australian country music entertainer and performer.
Biography
Schneider was born to George Frank Schneider and his wife Amelia, one of five, she is of Bavarian descent and started her been 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 sister's 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
| Title | Album details | Peak chart positions |
|---|---|---|
| AUS [5] | ||
| The Magic of Yodelling | 33 | |
| Can't Stop Yodelling |
|
70 |
| Australia's Queen of Yodelling |
|
– |
| Yodelling the Classics |
|
– |
| Yodelling the Classics II |
|
– |
| The Great Mary Schneider – Australia's Queen of Yodelling |
|
– |
| Ultimate Collection |
|
– |
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
- Glenn A. Baker. "Singing sister a TV pioneer". Sydney Morning herald. Retrieved 30 March 2023.
- "Roll of Renown". TCMF. Archived from the original on 4 September 2018. Retrieved 21 August 2018.
- Yodeling The Classics, (broadcast 10 November 1997), All Things Considered
- Louise Nunn, (18 June 2009) Healing power of sweet music, The Advertiser
- 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.
- "Roll of Renown". Tamworth Country Music Festival. Retrieved 29 October 2020.
- "MO Award Winners". Mo Awards. Retrieved 16 March 2022.
- "Tamworth Songwriters Association". Tamworth Songwriters Association Online. Retrieved 23 March 2022.
- "Tamworth Songwriters Association Past Winners". Tamworth Songwriters Association Online. Retrieved 23 March 2022.