Linda Eder first caught attention with a Broadway debut in the musical Jekyll & Hyde. Recording more than 10 albums with themes ranging from Christmas to country music, this chanteuse keeps it coming with a new album and tour.
Linda Eder: Hi, Jerry. Sorry I didn't hear your call. I was shoveling my steps with all this snow.
Windy City Times: That's okay. What part of the country are you calling from?
Linda Eder: I live in New York.
WCT: There is a lot of snow right now, I heard.
Linda Eder: Oh, yeah.
WCT: You will be visiting Skokie soon. You have been in Chicago before?
Linda Eder: Yes, I have been performing there for a long time, years ago, in a lot of different places. It is so close to Minnesota, which feels like an extension of that whole area for me.
WCT: You have a new album coming out the first of March.
Linda Eder: Yes; it's called Now. It basically is a reuniting of Frank Wildhorn and myself. We always knew we would make another record together one day. The timing seemed right and it is all the beautiful melodies that he is known for. I have sung many of them over the years. There are a lot of great songs. Sometimes they are songs from shows that were in the works or didn't happen for some reason. They may be from shows that they didn't fit into as well. There are also brand new things for the record. It brings back a lot of the collaborators that we have worked with over the years. It is a pretty cool album.
WCT: Why is it called Now?
Linda Eder: Because there was a period of years where I went out and did my own thing. Now I am back to this again. It represents my today. It is a record like we used to make and how cool we are now. Our sensibilities have grown and we have matured. We wanted to see what we would do with that kind of stuff today.
WCT: It is on Sony Masterworks?
Linda Eder: Yes, it is.
WCT: It is a great music label and good at promoting an artist's work.
Linda Eder: I have been with different labels over the years and I really like them.
WCT: Who are your influences as far as music? I heard you are a Judy Garland fan.
Linda Eder: She is the reason that I sing but I have always liked a lot of different types. That is why the show is called All of Me because I do all kinds of music, even pop. Now the show spans the whole genre from Broadway to country pop. For me it's a blast because I like so many different styles.
WCT: Are you singing anything from Jekyll and Hyde at the show in Skokie?
Linda Eder: I usually do the song "Someone Like You" which is my signature song from that show. I pretty much have that in ever show that I do.
WCT: Is there a Broadway show that you would like to do but haven't?
Linda Eder: I get asked that a lot but I don't really know. I think the play hasn't been written yet.
WCT: I like that answer! Would you ever want to be on Glee?
Linda Eder: Sure, I would do it. I got on the bandwagon kind of late. I didn't watch it at the beginning like everyone else. I did check it out and I think it's great. The performers are good and whomever is doing the musical arranging is just genius.
WCT: I think it can bring younger people to Broadway.
Linda Eder: I think so too and not just Broadway but the melody and great arrangement is really what it is about.
WCT: You were on Star Search a long time ago. What do you think about American Idol?
Linda Eder: The show that I was on was the kinder gentler version. It was bad enough to be judged. All they could do with me was give me one to four stars. They couldn't talk to me and abuse me verbally.
[ American Idol ] is smashing together a reality show and a talent show. It does start a lot of careers. I think it is a little too harsh and I know that the psyches of some young people are being damaged as a result for our amusement and entertainment. I don't like that part of it but I do enjoy the singing. I don't watch the early rounds. It is stupid manipulation and I don't believe a word of it. Once I get to the finals then I enjoy the musicians and good arrangements. Before that, I don't watch it at all.
WCT: Any special message for your gay following over the years?
Linda Eder: Just keep it coming! People ask me what I attribute my large gay following to and I have no idea. I always say, "If I didn't have a gay following then I would be doing something wrong!"
WCT: Well, get back to shoveling.
Linda Eder: [ Laughs ] I will! Great talking to you.
The new album Now can be purchased at www.lindaeder.com right now. Linda brings her vocals live to the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, 9501 Skokie, Skokie, on Saturday, Feb. 12. For tickets to the show visit www.northshorecenter.org .
