Upfront, outspoken, confident and provocative. That's Leslie Avril.

What you see is exactly what you get. She's a proud woman --
that's W-O-M-A-N, as in the Maria Muldaur classic that's always a highlight of her shows.

Want more proof? It's in her song What I Used To Get Up To:

'Just because she's got thirty-something candles on the cake
Doesn't mean this woman ain't got what it takes
No regrets, no excuses, no damned apologies
She's taking control of her destiny.'

In her opinion, the high priests of the music industry have trouble appreciating maturity -- and dealing with strong-minded women.

"Men find strong, honest, humorous women intimidating and confronting.

"A lot of blokes want women who are malleable 'yes-girls' who'll bat their eyes and try to be sexy and sing pretty songs.

"Well, I sing strong-women songs." 

Avril is passionate about country music.

"I need to get up and show audiences that country can be something different to what most people expect.

"To me, country music is rock 'n' roll for the over 30s.

"The Leslie Avril Band: from left Andy Baylor,
Robbie Souter, Leslie, Sam Lemann, Michael Vidale


Gerry Hale, Sam Lemann, Les Scott & Andy Swann