John Schumann

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John Schumann is an Australian music artist who is best known as the lead singer and songwriter for the folk group Redgum, which is most noted for their chart-topping hit "I Was Only 19 (A Walk in the Light Green)", a song exploring the medical side-effects of chemical agents used during the the Vietnam War. The song served as the inspiration for a Royal Commission investigation into the effects of Agent Orange and other chemical defoliants employed during the war^{[citation needed]}.

After 1986, Schumann left Redgum and embarked upon a solo career with CBS, where he released several records, including "Etched in Blue," and a children's record, "Looby Loo." In 1992 he recorded a single for Sony entitled "Eyes on Fire."

From 1998-2001 he worked as the Chief of Staff for the Leader of the Australian Democrats at the time, Meg Lees. In 1998 he stood against Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer for the electoral division of Mayo in Adelaide, winning 22.4% of the vote to Downer's 45.6%, taking the vote to preferences. After the distribution of preferences Downer held the seat 51.7% to Schumann's 48.3%. Despite coming close to winning the seat Schumann decided not to contest the seat in the 2001 election citing family reasons and his disapproval with the election of Natasha Stott-Despoja as leader in April 2001.^[1]

Schumann currently serves as a registered motivational and corporate speaker with IMG, and represents Schumann & Associates. He is not affiliated with any political party.

Schumann and Redgum were bought back to public attention in 2005 and 2006 when Australian Hip-Hop group The Herd covered "I Was Only 19 (A Walk in the Light Green)". In 2006 Schumann and other musicians performed in Vung Tau, Vietnam, to mark the 40th anniversary of the Battle of Long Tần.

In 2005 Schumann collaborated with a number of other musicians (including ex-Redgum members Hugh McDonald and Michael Atkinson) on "Lawson"", an album consisting of poems by the famous Australian Poet Henry Lawson. In 2006 and 2007 Schumann and The Vagabond Crew provided the music for a stage play, Lawson, starring Max Cullen as Henry Lawson.