Melinda Schneider is one of Australia's most cherished musical treasures. She has been a powerful voice in Australian entertainment for over four decades bringing her trademark charisma and a voice that is unmistakably her own. Melinda's career spans music, theatre, television, speaking and mental health advocacy - all underscored by her unwavering commitment to authenticity and empowerment.

The release of singles 'Open Up', '25 Hours', and 'The Woman' in 2025 marked the beginning of a fresh creative era for Schneider, and her new album TENDER (released February 6 2026) continues that passage - an intimate, emotionally rich collection of songs that explores the many shades of love, vulnerability and human connection.

The eleven tracks are deeply personal in their story telling and the album features two intimate duets with special guests Diesel, appearing on the title track, 'Tender' and Choirboys frontman Mark Gable, who also happens to be Melinda's husband, on their wedding song, 'Together We Belong'.

'25 Hours' captures the chaos, humour and quiet exhaustion of motherhood, telling the relatable story of a woman doing her best to balance kids, work, love and expectations within the limits of a single day. 'Open Up' sees Melinda return to her country roots with a gritty, passionate and emotionally charged reminder of the courage it takes to be vulnerable, encouraging a partner to be open and truly trust. 'The Woman' stands as a moving celebration of the strength, spirit and significance of women, validating their experiences and inspiring men to honour the remarkable women in their lives. Tender captures Melinda at her most open-hearted, weaving stories of love, resilience, motherhood and self-discovery with her distinctive honesty. Each of the eleven tracks draws from real, lived experience.

TENDER showcases some of the finest producers and musicians from Australia and Nashville - producer and multi-instrumentalist Rod McCormack, producer Wayne Connolly (Boy & Bear, Hoodoo Gurus), Ian Lees (bass), Rod Motbey (guitars), Clayton Doley (Hammond and keys), drummers Pete Drummond and Glenn Wilson and legendary Nashville pedal steel player, Bruce Bouton. Melinda is in fine voice on this record and sings with more power than ever before. She doesn't just sing a song - she lives every line, inviting the listener into her world and her stories. "I've always believed that vulnerability in songwriting has the power to connect and heal us," Melinda shares. "This past five years, in many ways, I've felt more tender than ever and this album reflects that in so many ways."

Reflecting on her evolution as both an artist and a woman, Melinda adds:

"I've always been tender - in every sense of the word. As an empath, I feel everything deeply, too deeply. My tenderness once felt like a burden, probably because I was around people who didn't share my values, but over time it became my strength. Tender celebrates that transformation into safety and authenticity - now I am safe, I can be gentle with myself, and vulnerable with others."

The album's title track is a soulful reflection - a call for men to love with integrity, tenderness, and heart. It speaks to what it truly means to "do right by a woman," reminding us that real connection is built on honesty, loyalty, and finding the courage and strength to be both powerful and gentle in equal measure.

Diesel, who joins Melinda on the track, shares, "With all the stereotypes of how genders should act, it's important to remember just to be tender. This song brought me into that feeling with its melody and lyrics from the get-go, and getting to share that space with Melinda vocally is always a treat for me."

Beyond music, Tender also embraces Melinda's passion for visual art, mirroring the layered rhythms of songwriting and life itself, and creating a vivid visual extension of the album's themes. "The musical composition came first, then I developed eleven original paintings representing the eleven songs from the album," says Melinda. These works will be on display at the Tamworth Regional Gallery from 13 December 2025 to 1 February 2026.

As she prepares to share Tender live with audiences across Australia, Melinda is eager to bring fans into her world of music and meaning.

"This album is a reflection of exactly where I am right now as a person," she says. "Through these songs, I hope people find connection, inspiration, and the courage to honour their own tenderness."