BY ALISE CHAFFINS
When Landau Eugene Murphy, Jr. auditioned for “America’s Got Talent,” he had just been robbed and had almost nothing to his name. His win in 2011 changed his life, and now he does everything he can to change the lives of others in his home state of West Virginia. One way that he does that is with his annual Home for the Holidays tour, coming today at 7 p.m. to Robinson Grand Performing Arts Center in Clarksburg.
For more information and to purchase tickets, visit landaumurphyjr.com.
Murphy said he does these tours to give folks in his home a state a chance to see him perform — and get out to do something special for the holidays.
This is the 13th annual tour and Murphy is excited about its connection to the Kids Joy Toy Drive. A link on his website will take visitors to Amazon to purchase a toy for an underprivileged child. The price on the toys range from $1 to $20 and Murphy delivers them himself.
On stage, Murphy will be joined by Kamron Lawson, a young man from Beckley who was a contestant on this year’s “American Idol.” Murphy emphasized that Lawson was not an opening act, but rather a part of the show.
“My goal for him is to have fun and to see the possibilities,” Murphy said. “See the possibilities in every dream and goal he’s ever had and actually achieve it. He’s part of the show just as much as I am.”
Lawson wowed the “American Idol” judges and audiences with his soulful voice and effervescent disposition.
When asked what he hopes to do following this tour, Lawson said he wants to create an EP and have some shows of his own, but he doesn’t want to be so future-focused that he forgets to be in the moment.
“I want to just enjoy it and see all of the beautiful smiles on people’s faces,” he said.
When he was working at Walmart, people would often tell him his singing made their day.
“That makes me feel good,” he would tell them in return. “Thank you for feeling good because of something that I did. Now my day is made because your day is made.”
This tour is presented by West Virginia Adult Education, an organization Murphy support, and he encourages anyone who was unable to graduate to speak with a WVAE staffer at the event.
“If you didn’t achieve it at that time, there are always opportunities,” he said. “Swallow your pride like I did and go back to school. Because it was the best feeling ever to pass that diploma to my mother.”
Regardless of your reason for attending the concert, Murphy and Lawson are excited to share a slate of traditional Christmas carols with everyone in the audience.
“It’s going to be fun,” Murphy said. “We’re going to have a good time and everybody’s going to love it. Come out, enjoy yourself, and get in the Christmas spirit.”
