The Register-Herald, Beckley, West Virginia

Editorials

January 24, 2012

A shining star

The Register-Herald

Landau Eugene Murphy Jr. came to Beckley late last week, and the shining star’s infectious attitude of good couldn’t help but get all over anyone who had the chance to meet him or hear him sing.

By now Landau’s background has been well documented and put out there — many have heard about the rags to riches, from washing cars at a Logan automobile dealership to winning “America’s Got Talent” last year. But the guy is way deeper than that.

While Murphy’s life and financial situation have certainly changed forever, you just get the overwhelming feeling that the fame and fortune won’t really cloud this man’s values.

Maybe it’s because Landau is 37, and also, maybe it’s because he’s been around the block a time or two in his life. Still, his confident, yet gracious demeanor is proof positive of how things can change for the better for those who persevere.

His talent as a crooner is lifting him higher; to listen to him belt out feel-good tunes made famous by Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole and others is a throwback to an era when life wasn’t quite as fast-paced or complicated.

Perhaps even more important is the constant reminder from Murphy, especially to those who are younger, that you can achieve, you can believe, you can live your dream if you stay the course.

He also said something else that was so poignant, and directed it to the youngsters: “This music won’t make you want to go out and punch somebody when you leave here.”

We didn’t get to ask him directly if he felt like time was running out on his singing career when he became one of the 83,000 or so who actually auditioned last year for “America’s Got Talent” because if you listen to him, he’d be just as happy doing his thing in his living room or at a local lounge.

Landau Murphy Jr. was funny, entertaining and extremely sincere. He stayed around afterward last Friday at the Beckley-Raleigh County Convention Center to greet all those new admirers and fans who waited afterward, and his smile was ever present.

In the society we live in today, it’s people like Landau, and the many positives he exudes, that light and keep the flame of hope and good burning for all of us.

West Virginia should be elated to call this young man — who grew up to thrill millions with his voice and candor — one of its own.

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