Country Chic(s)

The name Melinda is a combination of ‘Mel’ and ‘Linda’ meaning ‘honey’ and ‘gentle, soft’ respectively and Melinda Schneider certainly has a voice like honey with a gentle demeanour as I discovered when I spoke to her recently.

Melinda’s co-star for this visit to Tasmania is equally a country legend, Beccy Cole. The name Beccy depending on what definition you believe, means ‘ensnaring’ or ‘star’ and Beccy does indeed have an ensnaring voice and is an established star in her own right.

Melinda has performed in Tassie a few times and says the audience are ‘always great’. She says it’s ‘a beautiful place’ that ‘ loves country music’. Melinda loves the long drives Tassie affords and wants to introduce her 20 month-old, Sullivan, who will accompany her on this trip to Tassie as she checks out the markets and restaurants.

Melinda says she and Beccy’s new show ‘Great women of Country’ showcases strong women, making music in a male-dominated field. Melinda says that with she and Beccy both having ‘musical mums’ it was inevitable they become musicians.

The ladies were amicable in deciding who would sing which of the classic songs, Melinda’s own ‘selfish’ selection includes the Judds and Bonnnie Rait’s country blues-inspired songs while Beccy is doing the big ballads; so each girl is playing to her strength. Melinda adds that audiences won’t be disappointed with a dash of Dolly in there and also an ounce of Olivia, as the latter was the first Australian to win a CMA in Nashville.

Melinda describes the recent reception to the show in Brisbane as ‘amazing’ and the applause ‘spine- tingling’ and with 20 shows in 6 weeks these ladies of country are going to be very busy.

Melinda who is ‘the triple threat’ in that she can sing, dance and act talks to me about another project she is involved in, her Doris Day musical that she would love to bring to Tasmania if it wasn’t such a big production. Of course if the audience at the concert let Melinda know their interest just maybe it could be a case of ‘que sera sera!’

The new album by Melinda Schneider and Beccy Cole ‘Great Women of Country and The Women That Made them’ is out now.

You can see these great women of country:

Wed 25 Feb – Princess Theatre, Launceston
Thur 26 Feb – Burnie Arts & Function Centre
Fri 27 Feb – Wrest Point Entertainment Centre, Hobart
Paula Xiberras