An Interview with Linda Eder

She launched her career back in 1988, blowing away her competition week after week on "Star Search" and that was just the beginning for Linda Eder. For over a decade, she has been wowing audiences. During her 20's, she perfected her vocals and stage presence with a four-show-a-night extravaganza at Harrah's Atlantic City/>/>. She is best remembered for her 1990 Broadway debut in Jekyll & Hyde, for which she won a Theatre World Award. Her accomplishments include: concerts on BRAVO and PBS, a solo concert run at Broadway's Gershwin Theatre, and performing during the Opening Ceremony at the 2002 Winter Olympics. With a passion for horses, Eder/> recently created and hosted, "Trail MIX," a special on Animal Planet. This teamed her up with other celebrities (Sheryl Crow, Rob Thomas, LeAnn Rimes) who share the same passion for horses.

Over an 11 year span (1994-2005), she has released eight albums. Eder recently paid tribute to her idol and inspiration, Judy Garland, with her latest recording, By Myself: The Songs of Judy Garland. She played Carnegie Hall, where Garland performed over 40 years ago. Like Garland, Eder performed to critical and audience acclaim. Now, Broadway star and Angel recording artist, Eder, will be returning to Feinstein's from April 4th – 8th. She will be joined by an all-star quintet led by musical director John Oddo.

On Thursday, Eder/> took some time out of her busy schedule to speak with BroadwayWorld.com reporter, Nick Orlando.

Nick Orlando: Linda, it's a pleasure speaking with you. Congratulations on all of your success. Talk to me about the new CD.

Linda Eder: It's a tribute to Judy Garland. The idea was brought to me by my record company, but the minute they said it, I thought it was a great idea because she is the reason that I'm a singer. I was eight years old, watching "The Wizard of Oz" for the first time and Judy came out and sang "Over the Rainbow." I knew that's what I wanted to do! This album is a tribute to her, not the song writers.

Nick Orlando: How did Judy Garland influence you?

Linda Eder: I came from Scandinavian and European parents. We love each other very much, but we really didn't show our emotions much. To see someone else bubbling over with emotion was appealing to me. Singing is a way for me to express my emotions. I didn't take lessons. I just started singing right out of high school. Even though I was singing cover songs of Standards and Broadway songs, the emotions always felt very real to me. I think I needed that and I think people heard that in my voice. I always loved the live [Garland/>/>] records in particular. The excitement on them is amazing.

Nick Orlando: What made you decide to record an all Judy Garland album?

Linda Eder: Well, I knew there would be people who would not approve. Some people do not like it when you do tributes. That actually, to be honest, was part of the fun of it, to have that challenge. Plus, I didn't know what kind of record I wanted to make next. It was my eighth solo record. So, I felt this was great. It would be fun.

Nick Orlando: How did you prepare and how did you incorporate your own style into these songs?

Linda Eder: I don't sit there and think about it too much. I just do it! I've listened to her [Judy Garland's] music and my other inspirations, Barbra Streisand, and an opera singer by the name of Eileen Farrell. Musically, they formed who I am from a very young age, but I have been singing professionally for many years. I bring a little of Judy to it, a little bit of Barbra to it, a little bit of Linda. So, it just comes natural. If I thought about it, it wouldn't be a good thing!

Nick Orlando: You performed multiple times at Carnegie Hall in New York City. What was it like performing where your idol and inspiration, Judy Garland, performed over 40 years ago?

Linda Eder: Well, it was my fourth time there and it's amazing every single time. That place just knocks me over! Doing this last show was really fun, it was almost as much a gift that I was giving myself because I wish I could have been there that night when Judy did that very famous concert at Carnegie Hall. I would have given anything to have been there that night. To be singing her songs there, many of the same songs she did that night, it was pretty wild. I had a lot of goose bumps. The audience was incredible.

Nick Orlando: What do you have planned for your fans at Feinstein's?

Linda Eder: This will be my second time there. It was challenging to play there. I haven't played a small room in a long time. Even though I started out in small rooms, you feel like the people are right in your lap, but after a few songs, I said "I remember this. I used to do this all of the time." They wanted me to come back for a long time. This time, I learned songs specifically for the room. The songs will be about relationships.

Nick Orlando/>/>: Whether singing or performing on stage, what do you say makes a great audience?

Linda Eder: Energy! Somehow there is a way of creating energy. It is so very apparent. You feel it in the room, you can feel it before you step out from the curtain; it's just a certain buzz. It's usually there and when it's not there, I'm very much aware. It builds throughout the night and it's very important to have that interaction [with the audience].

Nick Orlando: What do you like best about working on Broadway?

Linda Eder: Acting, being able to wear costumes and hang out with other people. I love that! Whenever I am doing theatre, I'm like wow, what a funny job for adults to have! It's sort of like playing dress up. I have been a solo performer all of my life. Many people in this business start off in the ensemble and they are just trying to get that moment down first. I really enjoyed the family life you create. One of my favorite things to do is to sit around and tell theatre stories. You become really close with everybody. I miss all of that.

Nick Orlando: Will we be seeing you back on Broadway any time soon?

Linda Eder: Actually, there's a piece being written for me. It was presented to me a couple of months ago and I loved the idea. It's a comedy which was exciting to me. It's being worked on, it seems to have a life. I cannot say who is involved, but we will see.

Nick Orlando: How did your passion for horses come about?

Linda Eder: From the moment I knew what they were. I had my own pony at 10. I remember being in fourth grade, my dad surprised me and came home with a pony. It was one of the most exciting days of my life!

Nick Orlando: The special you had created for Animal Planet featured other recording artists such as Sheryl Crow, Rob Thomas and LeAnn Rimes. How did it feel working with them?

Linda Eder: It really wasn't work. It looked like work, sounded like work, and you got paid for it and yet, I just had a ball. That was my idea in the first place. I wanted to tailor a show where top music names would want to be part of it and I did. It worked! I told the celebrities that I would come to them and will only take one day out of their lives. I went to the barns and they rode. We hung out and spoke about horses. I know a lot about many different breeds. I felt like I was a perfect host. I was able to talk horses and music!

Nick Orlando: What are you most passionate about in your life?

Linda Eder: My son, he's six and a half. I took him on the road with me as soon as I was able to. He loves music and is proud of both, his mom and dad, [Frank Wildhorn]. He's very into it.

Nick Orlando: Are you working on any new projects?

Linda Eder: We are collecting material for the next record. I will be doing more of a pop record this time. I did Standards and Broadway the last couple [of times], so it's time to go back into the pop direction again. I get bored if I do one thing for too long. I think variety is important. This has given me the ability to have such a wide demographic in my audience; kids all the way on up! I try to mix it up, this way I can please as many people as possible.

Eder/>'s latest album is currently in stores. For more information, visit www.lindaeder.com.

FEINSTEIN'S AT THE REGENCY will play the following schedule: Tuesday through Saturday at 8:30 PM/> with late shows on Friday and Saturday at 11:00 PM/>. All shows have a $60 cover and a $40 minimum. Jackets are suggested but not required. FEINSTEIN'S AT THE REGENCY is located at 540 Park Avenue at 61st Street in New York City/>/>. For ticket reservations and club information, please call (212) 339-4095 or visit feinsteinsattheregency.com and TicketWeb.com.