In 1973, 6-year-old Eric Hemphill saw a picture of Liza Minnelli in the newspaper holding her Oscar for Cabaret. For some reason he felt drawn to this electrifying photo and became a fan of Minnelli. Not too long after, the annual "Wizard of Oz" broadcast occurred. Eric's big brother Steve pointed to Judy Garland as she started out on the Yellow Brick Road and said, "Eric, that's Liza Minnelli's mommy." And that is how it started. Liza was all but forgotten as Eric Hemphill fell under Judy Garland's spell, a spell that has endured for thirty-three years. Hemphill began his collection with a record ("The Hits of Judy Garland") from his sister. His collection is now well-known and has been exhibited in Garland's home town of Grand Rapids, Minnesota. He has contributed material to CD'S:  "The Judy Garland Show: The Show That Got Away;" "The Letter," and "Garland at the Grove." BOOKS:  "The Day-By-Day Chronicle of a Legend" DVD:  "Judy Garland: Songs for America" Hemphill also regularly contributes materials from his immense collection to the Judy Garland Fan Club magazine "Garlands for Judy." On the web, he has contributed extensively to the Judy Garland Database and to Judy-Garland.org. His collection has been seen on local and national television shows, including the syndicated hobby shows "Neat Stuff" and "Hobbies USA." He has also appeared on "PM Magazine," "Langdon Hill's Arizona," and "Las Vegas Spotlight." His first exposure as a Garland fan occurred in 1978 when, at age eleven, he was briefly interviewed by the "Today" show as the youngest ticket holder at the 1978 Judy Garland auction in Los Angeles. Hemphill holds a Bachelor's degree in Clinical Psychology, a Master's degree in Counseling, and has completed Doctoral work in applied educational psychology. Hemphill makes his home in Tucson, Arizona. A special thank-you note from Eric: "Thirty-plus years of collecting enabled me to contribute to this discography to the extent that I have. As a result, I want to mention some people that deserve thanks and acknowledgement. I would like to thank the following people for their support and assistance with all things Judy: my mom and dad, Huey and Maxine Hemphill, my sister Lona (Hemphill) Stokes and her husband Gary for getting me my very first piece of Garland memorabilia, my brother Steve Hemphill and his wife Elena, my nieces and nephews Melanie (Stokes) Herman (and husband Mike), Tara Stokes, Adam Stokes, Michael Hemphill and Matthew Hemphill, and my new great nephew Noah Herman who, at two years, already dances to "If I Only Had a Brain." Great thanks and love must go to Scott Brogan for his faith in me, Wayne Lawless for all he does, and Scott Schechter for a million things.  To Rita Rueth for 20 years of the best friendship I have ever known, and her endurance of flea markets, antique malls and other wild chases for Garlandia-and for sticking by me through good times and bad (yes, I mean Los Angeles 1993)! Thanks to Jim Johnson and the Judy Garland Database for all the help and friendship these past years. Thanks to the following folks who have, in Judy's words, "joined the choir," but helped me along my way: Al DiOrio Jr., Sonny Gallagher, John Haase aka "Big Wanda" Willkis, and a special thanks to Sid Luft. Drambouie on the rocks! Thanks and acknowledgement must also go to Woolsey Ackerman, Ron Andrus, Donna Anello, Pamala Ballingham and "Earth Mother Productions," Mishiko "Mishi" Barrios, Sal Bianco, Bill Chapin, Todd Corrigan, Armand DiNucci, Mario Duran, Cindy Halverson, Rosa Hamilton (thanks, Guiro!), Cathy Havner, Alletta Hemphill, Charles Hemphill, Kendra Hemphill-Barley, Alan Herskowitz, Oliver Hickman, my wicked step-sister Chris Holland, Jess Jackson, Kristy Koenig, Jerod Lollar, Anna McCauley, Fred McFadden, Rick McKay, Larry Moore, Keith "Juanita Quigley" Nelson, Edward Pardella, David Parham, Scott Protsman, Todd Rangel, Dani Reed, Celina Salcido, Melody Smithey, Monique Tercero, Elaine Vizmanos, Paula Winters, and the amazing Jacob Zeller,   Such work on the behalf of The Lady is a pleasure with this kind of support! Love, Eric."