Hi! I'm Nicholas Golden and I am one of Linda Eder's "little fans." My Mommy and "Mimi" are fans too so it must be a genetic thing. I met Linda for the first time when I was seven weeks old. Linda was very brave to hold me. I was very good and didn't spit up on her! That would have been so embarrassing. Now I am almost four and I get to go to more concerts.

When I am at my Mimi's house I ask her to play the Christmas Stays the Same DVD. Then I bring out all my instruments and set up my little band in front of the TV. I always want to watch Clint and try to play my drums just like him. He is really great!

My favorite songs are "One Bad Habit" and "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town." Mimi says when I go to school and they teach us to sing "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town," that I will think it should be sung just like Linda does it. Of course... she is the best!

Now that I am going to be a big brother, I guess I will have to introduce the newest "Eder-fan" to Linda's music.

-Allison Whitehouse, Age 11

I first heard Linda Eder because my mom was listening to her constantly. I liked almost all the songs right away, but there were two that I especially enjoyed "Man of La Mancha" and "I Want More." My mom surprised me with concert tickets and I went to see Linda at the Westbury Music Fair with my mom, a group of her friends and a friend's daughter. It was really exciting because we had front row seats and were in charge of Teder Bear. The concert was absolutely fantastic! I was able to meet Linda and have my picture taken with her. Then I got to see her again when she came to my hometown, Union, New Jersey. It was another great show and I got my cousin to come. She's now a Linda Eder fan too!

-Kelly Monaghan, Age 13

Young Eder-fans Kelly Monaghan (right) and Allison Whitehouse pose for a picture with Linda and "Teder Bear."

Young Eder-fan Gabriella Greco writes...

When I saw that you wanted stories and pictures of "Young Eder-fans" for the summer edition of THE VOICE, I was a little apprehensive about writing in and sharing my story. After thinking it through, I decided to because I want you, the fans, and most importantly Linda, to know how she has literally changed my young life forever.

You see, I was born 3 and 1/2 months premature weighing only 1 lb. 8oz. Due to my premature birth, I developed a mild case of Cerebral Palsy, which has dominantly but very mildly affected my left leg, hip and hand, as well as a little on the right. Because of the CP, I had to wear leg braces until I was 12 years old, and I had to go through two painful surgeries to help strengthen my legs. To help increase the chances of my legs becoming stronger, I got involved in gymnastics. I even went to gymnastics camp with my cast on. Even though I was in for a long recovery process, I was determined to become stronger. Nothing was going to stand in my way. Not even my stupid CP.

Unfortunately all good things have to come to an end. Reality hit me hard the day I had to quit gymnastics. I was very depressed during that time. I felt like I was going to fail at everything because of my legs. Then one day while mom and I were reminiscing about gymnastics and discussing other options, Mom suggested that I take up singing lessons. I loved to sing and did it for fun, but I overlooked Mom's suggestion because gymnastics was my life.

Then that following summer, which was the summer of 2000, I attended the concert that would change my young life forever. I would be a witness to the most amazing singer of our time, my angel in disguise, Broadway sensation Linda Eder. As I listened to this unfamiliar and astonishing voice, I found myself sitting in absolute amazement while tears ran down my face. This may sound weird but as this amazing woman was singing, it was like God was sending me a message through her letting me know that everything was going to be ok. I know it sounds crazy, but it's how I truly felt. It was a total out of body experience. By the time the concert was over, I knew what I was meant to do. I was meant to share my voice. As soon as I got home, I took up singing lessons. As I became more and more involved in singing, sadly I began to forget the reason why I was doing this and more importantly the person who had inspired me to do so.

Then one night after one of my recitals, I would be put back on track and brought back to the person who inspired me. I went home and put in the VHS that my teacher gave me. She said it was a Christmas concert of this singer that she thought that I would really enjoy. As I sat there and watched, I was like "where have I seen her before?" It didn't register until the end of the show that "Linda Eder" was the woman whom I had seen two years before in concert, the woman who had inspired me to sing. From that moment, I promised myself I never would get off track again.

Two years later I had the opportunity to meet Linda. It was a meeting that neither Linda nor I will ever forget. Ever since that first meeting, I cherish each time I have the opportunity to talk to Linda. Each time is as special as the next. I enjoy the long-distance friendship that has evolved. I enjoy being able to talk to her so easily, and through her guidance, I have found serenity in my life that helps me to live each day to the fullest and to reach for all of my dreams.

Today I am 16 years old. I start and end my day with Linda and continue to be inspired by "The Voice." Linda, Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

Yes, Linda Eder is known as "the Bonus Lady" to my students! This came about because of two events: the 2002 Winter Olympics special debut of "Gold" and I'm always looking for new ways to motivate my students to take ownership of their grades. When the song aired, the announcers failed to give credit to Linda. The word went out to call local NBC stations to ask who sang it. I could call the NBC affiliates in the bordering states but I thought I'd offer it as an extra credit opportunity for my "little darlings" on an upcoming test.

I don't think we generated many calls BUT a silver lining came to light: my "little darlings" were fascinated that I had a favorite singer AND that I knew so much about her. So we began a weekly Linda bonus question and my students came to call her "the Bonus Lady."

I even put my shyness aside and asked Linda to sign a photo to my students and to add "The Bonus Lady" to her signature. Linda complied but I think she was expecting the men in white coats to come claim me! (Thanks for the idea, Judi!)

A few weeks into the new school year, I put the autographed photo in a visible place but said nothing. It took a few classes before someone noticed it. I heard a startled, "She knows about us?" I assured them that I shared our bonus question situation with Linda (I had posted it on the message board). Like wildfire, word spread amongst the relatively small student population and I had visits from many former "little darlings" who wanted to see "the Bonus Lady's" note to them. They were thrilled to say the least!