Mary Schneider

Mary Schneider AM (born 25 October 1932) is an Australian singer and performer. Known as "Australia's Queen of Yodelling", she is a master at the classic Swiss Alpine style and is best known for yodelling the works of various standards by many classic composers. Her yodelling repertoire has covered everything from classical music pieces to marches and European folk music tunes and big band.

As a performer, she started her career establishing the duo the Schneider Sisters with her sister Rita. Although mostly known for the country music genre, the sisters wrote and performed Australia's first original rock 'n' roll single. they formed the duo the Schneider Sisters, who in 2002 were inducted into the Australian Roll of Renown. The sisters also received honours with the ACE Awards Lifetime Achievement Award.

The sisters attended Our Lady of Victories School in Bowen Hills. During the final year of the Second World War they entertained troops in Brisbane at a concert party, after which Schneider auditioned for Dick Fairs Australian Amateur Hour radio show. She was initially passed over, but was accepted after returning with her sister Rita as a singing duo.

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

The sisters were staples on radio and TV shows, appearing on early ABC series Seeing Stars and also local TV in Brisbane on variety shows, singing harmony for stars such as the Bee Gees. in the US, Spicks and Specks and Enough Rope on ABC TV and Eurotrash in the UK.

Honours Schneider was recognised in the Queen's Birthday Honours in 2012, with the Order of Australia (AM)

Discography Albums + List of albums, with Australian chart positions Title Album details Peak chartpositions AUS 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) – Ultimate Collection Released: 2002 Format: CD Label: Rajon Music Group (R0067) Compilation album – The Great Mary Schneider – Australia's Queen of Yodelling Released: 2005 Format: 3x CD Label: Rajon (CDR0425) Compilation album –

Awards and honours Australian Roll of Renown The Australian Roll of Renown honours Australian and New Zealand musicians who have shaped the music industry by making a significant and lasting contribution to country music. It was inaugurated in 1976 and the inductees are announced at the Country Music Awards of Australia in Tamworth in January. 2002 The Schneider Sisters (Mary and Rita Schneider) Australian Roll of Renown 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. (wins only) 1983 Mary Schneider Vocal / Instrumental Act of the Year 1984 Mary Schneider Vocal / Instrumental Act of the Year 1985 Mary Schneider Vocal / Instrumental Act of the Year 1986 Mary Schneider Vocal / Instrumental Act of the Year 1987 Mary Schneider Vocal / Instrumental Act of the Year

Tamworth Songwriters Association awards The Tamworth Songwriters Association (TSA) awards are an annual songwriting contest for original country songs, awarded in January at the Tamworth Country Music Festival. They commenced in 1986. Schneider has won two awards. (wins only) 1999 "The Video Song" by Rita and Mary Schneider and Jim Haynes Comedy/ Novelty Song of the Year 2009 The Schnieder Sisters Songmaker Award