Pictured below with Linda is Roberta Silva from Huntsville, Alabama. She was Linda's competition for Week 5 on STAR SEARCH almost twenty years ago. Roberta sang "Unforgettable," and Linda sang "Come In From The Rain." She contacted the EDER-tors of THE VOICE and asked us to help to put her in touch with Linda, which we were more than happy to do. She was able to meet Linda after one of her Atlanta concerts this past year, where these pictures were taken.

The first time we (my husband and I) heard you sing was on Star Search. My husband said he wanted to call Star Search and become your financial backer. He was serious. We love to take rides in the evening after work and talk and listen to you sing. This is how we relax. If we stay home, the TV goes on and we don't make time. For years, we've done this three nights a week. It works for us and you are with us. Your voice is… well, you have heard it many times from others, but words can't say enough. Your voice is the best we have ever heard. You have given us hours of joy. We have seen you on stage four times, and I have met you once back stage in Baltimore. I have never been a person to write to a celebrity or want to meet them. After hearing you sing, I was hooked. I hope I will be able to meet you again. Thank you so much. Yours are the only CDs in my car.

I just read your letter about your change and new CD. I haven't been on the site for a while. Work had me busy. I can only say with a voice like yours, whatever you sing and whatever changes you will make, it can only be great. I look forward to the CD. I have all your CDs. Most importantly, stay well because health comes first.

Fan Steven Koller and Linda

Dear Ms. Eder,

This is the first time in my entire life that I've written to a performer. I usually think that people like you who are so busy, so talented, and so engaged with life could never have time to read all the mail they must get. But I must tell you how much I admire you and your incredible, sent-from-up-above talent.

The first time I ever heard you sing, I had no idea to whom I was listening. It was on a radio station in Los Angeles that played Show Tunes and Pop recordings that theater professionals had recorded. This is a moment that will forever live in my memory. The track was "Bridge Over Troubled Water," and as I was driving home from work listening, I suddenly realized that I was holding my breath and that tears were running down my cheeks. I actually had to pull over and stop until the song was finished. As I sat there, awe-struck, I prayed that the radio station would announce who had been singing. No such luck. It took a whole week to find out who you were! And when I found out your name, I ran to Tower Records and bought the two Linda Eder albums they had in stock. I began listening, once again in utterly awe-struck silence… this from a man who only listened to Barbra Streisand and Judy Garland.

I genuinely became a die-hard Linda Eder fan when I received the studio recording of THE SCARLET PIMPERNEL. It remains, to this day, one of my favorite show albums. Your rendition of that stunning song, "When I Look At You," was played over and over and over again until I knew every note, every phrase, every breath. What a joy. I flew from Los Angeles to New York City specifically to see JEKYLL & HYDE, luckily from about seventh row center, and there you were. Well, since then, I've been fortunate enough to see you in concert three times and gave my mother-in-law tickets to see you last fall in Pennsylvania, after having introduced her to your recordings. The first time I saw you in concert, we were sitting very close to the stage at the Wiltern Theatre in Los Angeles surrounded by celebs, and when you started singing "Don't Rain On My Parade," I stiffened and caught my breath because I thought, "What? Who could ever sing this as well as Barbra?" Needless to say, when you hit that last phrase, knocking it through the roof with the entire audience standing and screaming like kids at an Elvis concert, I realized that there is now someone on Earth who can sing as well as the greatest singer of a generation. That's meant to be a huge compliment to you, Ms. Eder, and I hope you take it as such. You don't, in any way, emulate Streisand, but you both have enormous range, fidelity to pitch, exquisite phrasing, and miraculous lung power. Thank you for bringing such a tremendous amount of joy to my life as you do to millions of others.

I'll always be a fan, and I'll always remember that breathtaking moment when I first heard Linda Eder's otherworldly voice. You make the world a better place to be in. Thank you.

EDER-tor Amanda Christensen introduces her fiancé, Mike Feliu, to Linda. Mike says, "I really enjoyed the CDs my beautiful fiancée played for me, especially GOLD, but nothing could have prepared me for how awesome Linda was live. She's amazing! I was completely blown away by the strength and beauty of her voice. Then in addition to being incredibly talented, she was SO nice! And I admit I was a little nervous meeting her (it was like "meeting the family" all over again, haha!) but I didn't need to be. She was very gracious and friendly. I'm looking forward to the next concert and I am definitely a fan of 'The Voice' now!"

Linda and close friend Maureen Smith put down their margaritas long enough to pose for a picture backstage at Feinstein's! Maureen tells THE VOICE, "As those who were there know... Linda is the ONLY performer who actually looks forward to hearing the sound of crickets coming from the audience! Of course, with Linda, you only hear the "crickets" once the thunderous applause dies down so it's a win-win for her... and for all of us."

Hi there!

Just another update on a night with Linda! Last year for my birthday I "dragged" my husband in the car for four hours to see Linda at The Proctor Theatre. He is not the music enthusiast that I am! This year I thought I might not get the same treat. However, I got him to take me to Feinstein's in the city! We went on the actual day of my birthday, May 8th (46!), and I was so excited! I had seen Linda twice last year, once with Michael Feinstein. Well, we had such a great time! Honestly, the menu wasn't that great, but I would have paid the same for a glass of water to hear Linda sing! A few days later, I noticed that she would be singing on Long Island in August. How lucky can a girl get! Needless to say, I will be taking my mom, as my poor husband needs a break from all of this excitement! You know, I waited all my life to see Barbra in concert. I have now seen her three times! I feel truly blessed. To have found another living icon in Linda is a double blessing! I feel relieved knowing that for the rest of my days, I will have a singer to look forward to enjoying! You can rest assured that I will be at several concerts a year, always with a different companion, as I feel exposing someone to the talents of Miss Eder is a priceless gift. I do hope to one-day get the honor of having a photo of Linda, and to let her know in person how much I appreciate her talent.

By the way, I loved the fact that the people where I work finally got smart! This past Christmas season, Macy*s Roosevelt Field played several songs by Linda Eder while their customers ran around in a frenzy! Every time her songs came on, I stopped and told whoever was near me who Linda was and that they must watch out for her! I told them that that was my gift to them! Just thought you would like to know that Macy*s taste is improving!

Well, see you in August! By the way, I just bought Streisand's latest CD, and she is singing one of Linda's songs... we have come full circle now! Bye for now.

Hi! We have been following you for about 12 years since we saw JEKYLL & HYDE in Columbus, Ohio. We live in South Carolina now and, when I saw you were with the Atlanta Symphony last week, we had to go. You were worth the long drive. What a fabulous concert. We were in the top row of the balcony and your voice came floating up just as beautifully as it did in JEKYLL & HYDE. We wish you the best.

Fans Alicia and Nick Horbachevsky with Linda

Fan Dottie Dempsey and Linda

EXTRA! EXTRA! Report From The Keswick… Dynamic Duo Strikes Again!

They were spectacular! Even the band members were "into it." This was the fourth "Two Fer" we have seen. It was also the best Two For The Road show to date. Starting with the first off-stage notes of the now traditional "Some Enchanted Evening," it became a magical night. These two friends have polished up the program, enhanced arrangements, and played off each other to the sheer delight of everyone. (John, if you did all the charts, they were… well, Wow! To those of us who know a little bit about music, it was a very special night. Thank you.)

They have rebalanced the show with a bit more on the side of duets, but still leaving plenty of "red meat" for us Linda lovers. It was also a Michael night, with quite a few of his fans jumping out of their seats as well. There was a couple behind us who had never even heard of Linda. By the second half, they forgot all about Michael. When Linda finished belting out "Parade," the woman (over the standing ovation), literally shouted to her husband, "Did you hear that? Did you hear that?" Their banter on stage was the smoothest we have seen. In her segment, she was typical Linda. You know, that lady we all love and admire. Talking to us, not "at" us, and sharing comments about Jake and school schedules. She even got Craig to do his "Cricket Thing." (Don't ask!)

As I had said somewhere before, the obvious chemistry between these two friends is so powerful, it just jumps off the stage. My wife is a tough critic, but when Jake's mommy does "If I Could," it never fails to get her all teary eyed. Sometimes it seems that she really doesn't understand the power that she has to affect so many of our lives in such a profound way, but how can she not? We don't care. As long as she can sing a note, we'll be there! I'm sure she does know that!

It also turned out to be a really lucky night for us. Linda came out after the show, spent time, took pictures, signed some stuff, and just seemed very comfortable to be there with her adoring admirers. She is, very simply, a great Lady!

Now we have to start all over going through withdrawal until the next show that we can reach. How did we ever get this "hung up" on a singer?

Hello, Linda! This is shaky ground for me, as I just finished listening to your rendition of "Over The Rainbow" and was knocked out cold! I am sorry to admit this, but I believe this is the first time I have ever heard you, at least that I know of. I played guitar on the road in the 70s and 80s but got off the road around 1985 (total burnout, going nowhere syndrome), took seven years off, and went home to my folk's ranch in Idaho to get my head back together. Between punching cows and farming, I started learning classic tunes for solo guitar in my spare time. As a kid growing up, I had a crush on Judy so "Over The Rainbow" was one of the first I tackled, and I have always collected different versions of it. I have to say after hearing you… wow! In 2000, I started driving rock tours (Cher, Tina, U2, Stones) until last April when I broke my back doing an after-show load-out. I have been home here in Austin, Texas since, trying to heal up and going to college for the first time at 50 years old. (Never say never!) Kind of let my chops go the last few years, but after hearing you tonight, I am getting inspired again. I am going to finish listening to that album while doing my homework. When are you coming to Austin? Growing up on a ranch, I've never lost my love of horses, and it's good to see you share that interest. Gonna run now. Take care and good luck to ya.

Fan Tracy Sirani and Linda

Hi Linda!

I always loved St. Patrick's Day until St. Patrick's Day 2004. You see that is the day that my sweet, red-headed, Irish mother shed her earthly shell to set her spirit free, and I miss her every day. My mother was a musician and quite an accomplished pianist. I have tickets to your show here in Atlanta Saturday night and will be bringing the spirit of my mother with me. I know there will be many tears shed that night as I wrap my heart and spirit in the notes you set free knowing they will reach my mom.

My husband is from Wisconsin and in the medical field as am I. My 82-year-old father now lives with us since loosing my mother. My father used to sing in nightclubs. He was called the Frank Sinatra of Oneanta. He watches your videos on "Ladies Of Broadway" and "Love Songs" DVDs, but he isn't physically able or comfortable enough to accompany me to see you Saturday night. Believe me, how I tried to get him to agree to come along, especially when I saw you were doing Garland (his all time favorite)! We live on a small lake where we like to fish, and my husband fishes in small bass tournaments. We have two four-legged furry children, and I like to volunteer my time to animal causes.

It seems we have much in common. It was my dream to be a Broadway singer. I just wanted you to know that I will be soaking up every note you sing Saturday, and thank you for bringing many hours of enjoyment to our lives.

I saw Linda last night in Ocean Grove, New Jersey and it was truly amazing. Linda has a way of singing directly to my soul. There were several times during the performance that I felt myself welling up with tears, just from the absolute joy of hearing her singing. Strange, right? Although I thought Michael Feinstein was fabulous, I felt like I didn't get enough Linda. She was truly amazing! She has such a gift and I, as well as all those in attendance last night, was truly blessed to have been able to hear her.

Dear Linda:

My husband Leo and I came to your concert in April at the State Theatre in Easton, Pennsylvania. You, of course, looked and sounded beautiful. Michael and you really have quite a comfort level with each other on stage. It looked like you were really having a good time. Yes, of course, we enjoyed the concert immensely, but the highlight of the evening was going to the stage door and waiting for you to come out to greet your fans. I was so appreciative that you agreed to take a picture with me and sign two autographs. I told you that you really helped me through a very tough year. I found myself going back and forth to New York City to Sloan Kettering for doctor's appointments, and you were my company on those long tough drives. Your voice and your beautiful lyrics kept my spirits up. Yes, I cried and I laughed and I rocked out with you in my car. You are truly an elegant, classy and very beautiful woman inside and out, and I appreciate you sharing your gift with all of us who adore you. Thanks, Linda.

Fan Gabriella Greco and Linda