Here - Linda Eder

learn all those new songs with harmonies in time for the first performances that took place on the Cape and on Long Island. I
spent all my airplane trips with my ipod listening to the mp3s that John had made. I felt like I was cramming for a test. To say
that I was nervous for the first night is a major understatement, but I was happy with the results and with some tweaking, I
had a good sense that we really had something. It was a pleasure to watch the faces in the audience every time we introduced
another classic duet. Backstage was fun as well. It felt a bit like a Broadway show. Not only was my crew there, but so was
Michael's and because of the newness and the nerves, it added to the excitement. It was great to have someone to share it
with, and I look forward to the shows we have planned. Michael, you are the best!
My solo concert will now be the Garland Tribute and that is my latest challenge, learning all those words and finding the timing
and the rhythms that make a show work — finding it for Judy, but also for myself. My goal has never been to imitate, but to
let her influences, that have become inherent in me out, and at the same time be me. I have now performed some of the
songs from the album, and it has made me excited for this show.
It was never my intention to move forward without Jeremy Roberts. He has been a part of my performing life for so long, and
this is one change that I have not looked forward to. Change is something I have always resisted. However, it no longer
frightens me. I know that I have changed, dramatically. It's an important part of life and often the key to true happiness. So,
while I am saddened by the end of 19 years of magic and memories, I applaud his desire to change and challenge himself.
TRAIL MIX has been an amazing project to be part of. The goal is to show famous singers relaxed in their own horse
environments, and it has lead to some wonderful interviews. Co-creator Maureen Smith and I have traveled to great locations
and spent fun days with the talented team that has made TRAIL MIX a reality. We have been welcomed into the homes of
these amazing singers, and I have had the great pleasure to literally "horse around" with them. Highlights included riding
western cutting horses with LeAnn Rimes. It was something I had always wanted to try and it was a blast. Cutting horses
evolved out of the need for ranchers to cut a single cow from the herd in order to brand or treat it. Because of their strong
desire to return to the herd, it is no small feat and it is mostly up to the horse to stop that cow. They bob and weave and
almost go to their knees in the process. I was happy that I did not fall off. Another highlight was riding horses on the beach in
Mexico with a very good-looking Latin heartthrob. Ladies, it's a tough job.
But my favorite interview was the first. My friend, the incredible Irish tenor with the life story that movies are made of, Ronan
Tynan, came to my farm. On the hottest day of the year, we laughed, we joked, we rode my horses, we sweated, but we really
did what I so love to do. We talked horses. He helped kick off TRAIL MIX in a way that gave me the confidence to believe it
was going to work. Thank you, Ronan.
I am blessed with a wonderful family and very good friends who have made navigating through this "change" in my life much
easier. I am also blessed with extraordinary fans who gave me the courage to perform during a time when I was really very
much afraid to. It has been an amazing year. I want to thank all of you for coming along for the ride. I have no idea what the
future holds, but I'm not afraid of it. I look forward to it. I appreciate everyone who is on the "team" helping me to sail the
open water.