John Edward

"Years ago during my run on Broadway with JEKYLL, I was walking down a city street one afternoon when a young man popped out of a doorway and stopped me. He said he was a fan of mine, told me his name and what he did and we had a pleasant brief chat. The entire time I was standing there on that warm afternoon the hair on the back of my neck was standing up. I wasn't afraid. I was just in the presence of the wonder that is John Edward. He has since gone on to the national attention he deserves and we have met and worked together on different occasions. In this modern world where we are all bombarded with the exploitation of people through 24-hour news programs and reality TV, it is a pleasure to focus on someone whose only agenda is to help. It's an honor to know you, John."

Internationally famous psychic medium, author, television personality and speaker, John Edward, has deeply touched the lives of many people. He had an ordinary childhood growing up in an Italian family on Long Island. As a child, he had unusual events happen to him, but he thought everybody else had the same experiences. At age 15, he realized that he possessed a special gift and has since used this gift to help others. John has hosted his own television show, Crossing Over (which can now be seen on the Sci-Fi Channel) and has made numerous television appearances including Life Afterlife: America Under Cover (HBO) and Larry King Live (CNN). He has authored seven books: Unleashing Your Psychic Potential, Understanding Your Angels and Meeting Your Guides, Afterlife: Answers from the Other Side, One Last Time: A Psychic Medium Speaks to Those We Have Loved and Lost, Developing Your Own Psychic Powers, Crossing Over and What If God Were the Sun.

After Linda made a memorable guest appearance on John's television special, the Editorial Staff of THE VOICE wanted to learn more about John and his extraordinary abilities. He graciously took time out of his busy schedule to grant Linda's fans an interview.

VOICE: When did you first realize that you had a connection with the afterlife?

JE: In 1985 I had a reading with a psychic named Lydia Clar. She is the woman who opened me up to the subject matter. After a couple of years of doing sessions, my work seemed to become more about The Other Side and the connections I made, for my clients, to those who had crossed over.

VOICE: When and how did you begin to use your special powers to help people?

JE: I developed really quickly and now really feel like I more or less "remembered" that I was psychic instead of "awakened" or "developed" my abilities. Everyone is psychic on some level; others just have the ability stronger. Everyone can sing and attempt to develop his or her voice, using his or her natural ability, but clearly not everyone will be a Linda Eder!!!

VOICE: When did you first hear Linda sing and what song was it? What was your reaction when you heard her voice?

JE: The first time I heard Linda sing was on the radio. The song was "Someone Like You" from JEKYLL & HYDE. As numerous people before have made the comparison to Barbra Streisand, I thought it was a new Barbra song just being played.

Growing up in a household that played Streisand, I developed an appreciation for her voice. I raised the volume while driving to see if I could catch the name of the song Barbra was singing, and I clearly remember thinking, "Wow, Barbra's sounding amazing on this song, so powerful and pure!!!" The DJ came on the air laughing, and actually said something like, "No folks… not Barbra… LINDA… LINDA EDER, and the song is from the forthcoming musical JEKYLL & HYDE- remember her name- Linda Eder."

I went to every record store that I came across trying to find "that voice." A few months later, I was on a plane to Puerto Rico and had the airline headset on, and there she was again. This time she was singing a few songs from the concept recording of JEKYLL & HYDE. To this day, that CD is one of my favorites. From that flight, I now had info on the album. The first thing I did upon checking into the hotel in Puerto Rico was call a music store in NY and special order the album.

I remember the first time I heard Linda Eder sing "Once Upon A Dream"- the purity of her emotion and energy that was conveyed actually sang to my soul. That is her gift… She sings from her heart… to your soul.

VOICE: How did you meet Linda?

JE: Do I have to answer this? (smiles) Alright. Here we go. Being the ardent fan that I'd become, like many others I was anxiously awaiting the Broadway debut of JEKYLL & HYDE. I had bought the concept recording and the double CD with Anthony Warlow and had traveled to New Haven to see it there.

There was a running joke in my family growing up. Every single time I went into the city (Manhattan) from Long Island, I would never see a celebrity. But either the day before or usually the day after, my mother or cousin would be standing on the street corner next to Frank Sinatra, Sylvester Stallone, you name it. I always complained to my mother as a kid, "I never get to meet a famous person." This went on for years. My mom passed in 1989, and years later I was with a friend at a restaurant on 6th Avenue having lunch after a publishing meeting for my first book. That day, I was telling my friend the story about how I never see anyone famous and my mom always did because she worked in the city. I made a joke. I told my friend, "You would think that my mom would 'hook' me up now that she's got some pull up there… right?" He laughed. He needed to make a phone call and went downstairs and I went to wait for him by the front door. It was a cold winter afternoon so I waited on the inside and just watched people walking up and down 6th Avenue. That was when it happened. It was just like in a movie… Linda Eder walked by on her way to Radio City Music Hall to rehearse for JEKYLL & HYDE.

I remember thinking, "That was Linda Eder." Unfortunately, that was the last rational thought I had. I literally (and embarrassingly now) pushed four businessmen who were waiting in the vestibule putting their coats and hats on into the wall to get outside. I proceeded to RUN up 6th Avenue behind her. Please don't ask me what I was planning on doing when I actually got there because I had no clue. I must have been loud enough in my steps because she stopped and turned. And that was when I became a babbling idiot and at a total loss of command of the English language. When I did gain control of my thoughts, I remember I made a feeble attempt at humor. "I'm one of your biggest fans… how can 'someone like me' find out if 'someone like you' will be doing any concerts in the city?" Then I handed her my business card which said Psychic Medium on it… and she looked at the card… looked at me... a bit perplexed I might add… and just chuckled and very graciously took the time to appreciate my enthusiasm.

My wife to this very day refers to me as a Stalker. We had gone to see Linda in concert, and there were a number of uniformed officers present, and my wife, Sandra, leaned over and said, "I guess Linda knew that you were coming tonight!!!"

VOICE: What is your favorite song performed by Linda?

JE: I would have to say it was when Linda sang "Let Him Fly" for the video performance that ran on my TV special, After Life, last year. It was an experience that I will NEVER forget. I thought it was breathtaking to watch it on tape, but to be there while it was happening, the sun setting, her singing… just amazing.

VOICE: Can you comment on the healing power of music?

JE: I know from my own work that "energy" or "frequencies" and "vibrations" can affect a person's life in a healing way. Music is just that, vibrations and frequencies that resonate and "move" someone. Music has been used for centuries as part of almost every religion around the world. As I said before and I will say it again, Linda Eder sings from her heart to her listeners' souls. She touches people on a level that can affect an emotional change.

I remember my grandmother being diagnosed with cancer. She used to walk around with a walkman all the time. I was 13 and I thought it looked kind of funny. When I asked my mom why she always had it on, she replied, "The music takes her pain away."

VOICE: What prompted your choice of "Let Him Fly" for Linda to perform on your television special?

JE: It's like this. I have been a "pusher" for years. I have turned a ton of people onto Linda and Frank's music since that first day I heard her sing. I had a method. First, I would buy them the concept recording of JEKYLL & HYDE. Then I would tell them about her other CDs… depending upon at which point in her career it was that I was introducing someone to her voice. All except one person became a huge fan. And you know… there's always ONE (smiles).

When I hosted the syndicated TV show, Crossing Over, I tried for all four of the years that I was on to get the network to approve a booking like that. I usually got a no in response. "No music on Crossing Over… just go read people, that's why they are watching." I usually disagreed. Why? Because when someone is in pain due to the loss of a loved one, they bottle up their emotions. I have learned over the 20 years of doing this work that one must honor his or her pain and grief to be able to move through it. Music can help a person do that. A song can allow someone to release their emotions and thoughts in a way that everyday life does not.

The response that I received in my office was enormous. We had hundreds of e-mails and letters wanting to know what the name of that song was or to tell me how they were already Linda fans and how beautiful she is as well.

VOICE: It has been fun speaking with you. You certainly have an amusing story to tell your grandchildren about how you first met Linda. Continued luck with your career!

JE: Thank you for your good wishes... it's been my pleasure. I'd like to add a special note of thanks to Linda from me for all the energy that she expends, traveling around the country to perform for her fans. I have a little guy at home and know first hand how hard it is to walk out that front door. So thank you for sharing your gift! (and would you please record "Till You Came Into My Life" and Lindarize it!) (BIG SMILE)