Linda Eder

In 2006 can a child see a musical film and say to herself, That's what I want to do. I'm going to be a singer, and say it with any conviction? The master manipulators at Disney would surely cite their recent Cheetah Girls series as an affirmative example. But the singers in this type of film are kids portraying kids who are, inevitably, trying to "make it big." The music itself is the usual: patently insipid and disposable. It is a formula that, at best, says only: "Hey, kids! Don't you want to aspireto be a singing star, too, now, today?" For the past 30 years, Disney and other major studios have been offering music as a cheap toy, one that a child ought to quickly outgrow, tire of, and forget about. One wonders if there is anything in old Walt's corporate handbook that expressly forbids planned obsolescence.

Judy Garland has since 1969 been one of the greatest loves of Linda Eder's life. Sitting on the green shag carpet at home, watching The Wizard of Oz with her father, she easily related to the young Kansas farm girl (Eder was a Minnesota farm girl). She puts it plainly: The reason she is a singer today is Judy Garland. And, of course, it is absurd to imagine Garland's enduring character Dorothy with any American Idol-like aspirations. She is simply a bright, loving girl who at times sings about her feelings instead of talking about them. Children know real talent and honesty when they see them. Sometimes a galvanizing moment occurs early on, and the deeply inspired become the Linda Eders of the world.

Eder balanced her budding singing career in the Eighties with a passion for equestrian sports, once riding in a competition and singing on television's Star Search the same day. She went on to perform in the Broadway musical Jekyll & Hydeand played opposite Chuck Wagner in the gothic musical Svengali. Angel Records has released most of her albums, including the latest one, By Myself: The Songs of Judy Garland. It is no surprise that Angel has been loyal to her: Eder's voice is as strong and brilliantly beautiful as any on the Broadway or concert stage.

Yes, she was a Star Search champion, and that program was the naive precursor to Idol. But this Broadway star's motivation, her dream, did not come from watching a talent show on television. It was 1969, the shag carpet, Dad, and an American masterpiece. — Andrés Solar