America’s Got Talent Blast from the Past: Landau Eugene Murphy, Jr.

I love watching talent reality TV shows, and at the end of each season I always wonder if the winner is actually going to make something of themselves. I mean…it really seems pretty hit or miss most of the time. With the premiere of America’s Got Talent quickly approaching, it got me thinking about the past winners and if they are successful still, or if they’ve gone back to pre-AGT lives. Over the next few days, I’ll dive back into the past and see which winners of America’s Got Talent are still going strong, and who (if any), have, well, fallen out of the limelight and back into the shadows.

Landau Eugene Murphy, Jr., the winner of AGT 2011 and jazz singer from West Virginia, was the whole package last year. He had a touching back story (remember — he was homeless at the age of 19) and a soft, crooning voice who made it through the competition singing songs from famous crooners such as Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin. Let’s revisit the song that helped Landau triumph over his competition last year?

I don’t know about you, but his voice sure gives me the chills. There was some great competition last year, especially when it got down to the final four, but I’m glad he ended up winning. So how is Landau Murphy doing today?

Well, it seems pretty well. Especially considering where he was a few years ago. Not only did Landau release his first album, That’s Life, this past November, which hit #34 on the Billboard Top 200 and #1 Jazz album on Amazon, but he has been doing shows across the country since, many of which have been sold out. He also has been giving back by appearing in public service announcements for the Red Cross and in several benefit concerts. On May 6th, Laundau received an honorary Doctorate of Music Degree from the University of Charleston.

So even though Landau doesn’t seem to be charting any top selling lists lately, he seems to be doing pretty well for himself.

If you can’t get enough of Landau, he currently is touring the country. Check out his tour dates at http://www.laundaumurphy.org for more information!