Country music singer shares personal battle as she reconnects with audiences on tour

COUNTRY music star Melinda Schneider says overcoming a battle with depression has helped her reconnect with audiences as she tours her new album Tender.

Schneider, 54, will perform a mix of old favourites and new material at Ballina RSL Club on Friday, March 20.

The singer-songwriter describes Tender as her most heartfelt and emotionally honest album to date.

It is her first original studio album in more than a decade and debuted at No. 1 on the ARIA Australian Country Album Chart, while also topping the AIR 100% Independent Albums Chart.

“It’s been a while since I’ve had a number one album, so I am very excited,” Schneider said.

“I’ve thrived after a bad bout of depression in 2018. There’s been a lot of growth and a lot of learning to trust myself.

“During my first five albums I was going through a lot of struggles and in the wrong kinds of relationships.

“Writing this album, I’ve been the most at peace and happiest I’ve ever been, and these songs reflect that.”

Schneider, who began performing at age three and recorded her first music at eight, said music always felt like her calling, despite studying fashion design and briefly stepping away from the industry early in her career.

Her career now spans more than four decades across music, theatre, television and advocacy.

She credits her long-term partner Mark, motherhood and personal growth as shaping the tone of the record.

The album also features a duet with Australian rocker Diesel on the title track, a collaboration Schneider described as an honour.

“He’s just as incredible as ever. Apart from having an amazing voice, he’s such a respectful and sensitive person, which was important for that song,” she said.

Schneider has also explored visual art alongside the album, recently holding an exhibition at Tamworth Regional Gallery during the Tamworth Country Music Festival.

“I’ve painted every song on this album,” she said.

“I’ll be showing some of those artworks on the screen during the show, incorporating a couple of different art forms into the tour.”

Tickets for the show can be purchased at ballinarsl.com.au/event/melinda-schneider/