Music Stars Making A Social Impact: Why & How Landau Eugene Murphy Jr Is Helping To Change Our World
An Interview With Edward Sylvan
I am honored to say my work has impacted many people. One that stands out specifically is a little girl named Teagan. She received a little baby doll in the toy drive. Her family sent us a photo of her holding the doll (It’s posted on my Facebook page). It touched close to home because it showed the impact. She had the biggest smile, making all the hard work completely worth it. (The last update I received was that she was at home and healthy now and still playing with her baby doll.)
As a part of our series about stars who are making an important social impact, I had the pleasure of interviewing Landau Eugene Murphy Jr.
Landau Eugene Murphy Jr. is the soul-and-Sinatra singing sensation who first rose to national attention as the season six winner of NBC TV’s “America’s Got Talent.” His debut album “That’s Life” spent several weeks atop the Billboard Jazz charts and in the Top 40 overall. He has since released three additional well-received albums (two with Grammy-winning producers), penned an Amazon #1 best-selling memoir, appeared on several network TV shows, had a featured role in a film, was nominated for an NAACP Image Award, named one of the Top Outstanding Young Americans by the United States Jaycees and has toured around the world.
During the COVID-19 pandemic and his forced time off the road, Landau turned his attention to his education, went back to school online, and received his high school equivalency diploma three decades after dropping out, proving it’s never too late to graduate. Visit him online at www.landaumurphyjr.com.
Thank you so much for joining us on this interview series. Can you share with us the backstory that led you to this career path?
I have been singing and dancing since I was three years old. I grew up watching Bugs Bunny and always loved the music in the background. I knew I didn’t particularly like working the 8–5 job, so after winning America’s Got Talent, I chose to make a career out of it.
Can you share the funniest or most interesting story that occurred to you in the course of your career? What was the lesson or takeaway you took out of that story?
I have so many stories, but my favorite is my Logan, WV Walmart story! I had just come home from AGT, and my audition had just aired. Keep in mind, I live in a small town, so everyone in my town was shocked when it aired. I went to Walmart to get my groceries and ended up spending 12 hours signing autographs!
However, this one particular man I met holds the spot for my favorite story ever. He started telling me how he was in the garage when my audition came on, and his wife yelled for him to look at the TV. He said as he was coming, and around the corner, he could hear my voice and was certain he was hearing Frank Sinatra. By the time he got around and saw my face, he was just like the rest of America, in pure shock that my voice sounded the way it did! We chatted for a few minutes, and then he went on to say I know you’re going to win. Just as I started to thank him, he interrupted, saying, “because if you don’t win, we will burn the television station down.” I always am thankful we didn’t have to find out if he was serious.
What would you advise a young person who wants to emulate your success?
I would tell them to believe in themselves. It’s a complex industry, but keep the right people around you once you make it, and never ever forget who you are.
Is there a person that made a profound impact on your life? Can you share a story?
Many people have made a profound impact on my life; my mother, Michael Jordan, Michael Jackson, but the one that stands out the most is Chris Webber. Chris Webber had just signed up to play in the NBA, and we were friends because I grew up with him in Detroit. I got to ride around with him and see all the good he was doing in the community. It inspired me to realize that I would give back to the community if I ever made it, just like he did.
How are you using your success to bring goodness to the world? Can you share with us the meaningful or exciting causes you’re working on right now?
My favorite thing is to give back. This month I had the honor of doing a charity event in Hilton Head, SC, that raised over $100,000 for the Boys and Girls Club. I got to spend the day with the Pockets Full of Sunshine. I also participate in events throughout the year that benefit the West Virginia Children’s Hospital and many other organizations. During the pandemic, my family and I created a toy drive. It is called “Landau’s Kids Joy Toy Drive.” We collect toys all year and deliver them to hospitals across the State of West Virginia so that they can pass them out to the children. I am so thankful that I have a platform that allows me to make a change in others’ lives.
Can you share with us a story behind why you chose to take up this particular cause?
During the pandemic, my girlfriend and I were sitting on the couch talking about my platform, drinking hot chocolate, watching The Grinch, and getting into the Christmas Spirit. I had Christmas shows coming up, but they were virtual. I couldn’t seem to find the light. I was so used to bringing joy to people’s faces, but now, I just sang and smiled into a computer screen. It felt so weird. At that moment, though, I took a step back and thought how grateful I was. My family was healthy, and my friends were healthy. I had so much to be thankful for, while others weren’t so lucky. We started thinking about the children in the hospital during the pandemic. With all the guidelines, most children could only have one visitor a day, which meant they would not spend Christmas with their families. That is when we created the “Landau’s Joy Toy Drive.” I understand it’s a toy that doesn’t change a life, but it brings one minute of happiness to someone’s face, which means everything.
Can you share with us a story about a person who was impacted by your cause?
I am honored to say my work has impacted many people. One that stands out specifically is a little girl named Teagan. She received a little baby doll in the toy drive. Her family sent us a photo of her holding the doll (It’s posted on my Facebook page). It touched close to home because it showed the impact. She had the biggest smile, making all the hard work completely worth it. (The last update I received was that she was at home and healthy now and still playing with her baby doll.)
Are there three things or are there things that individuals, society, or the government can do to support you in this effort?
The support that we have received already has been phenomenal. I am so appreciative of all our friends and fans all over the country and all over the world who have helped us by donating their time and efforts. I’ve always said that you can do well by doing good, and God willing; we will be able to keep doing good for a long time to come.
What are your “5 things I wish someone told me when I first started”
When Howie Mandell said,” Your life will never be the same,” I can honestly say that they started preparing me for change. I had so many mentors along my journey on America’s Got Talent and beyond. They told me the ins and outs of the entertainment industry. They told me what to expect, and they were spot on. The only things I wish I understood more at the time were social media’s impact and knowing that staying true to yourself can sometimes hold you back in this industry. Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram were all brand new. I never pushed my platforms when I was on the show. I had no idea that that would be the primary way I interact with fans, friends, and family ten years later. As far as staying true to myself, I think it has held me back in certain situations, but when a door closes, another one opens. I will never regret staying true to myself, but I see how others drift away into their new identity.
You’re a person of enormous influence. If you could start a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger.
I dream of purchasing all the abandoned prisons in the United States. I want to update them all and turn them into homeless shelters. It would be the type of place where they could live. Each cell would be someone’s home, meaning they would have an address and could get a job. I would have counselors and job recruiters to help get the homeless jobs. We would provide food and shelter until they got on their feet, and then hopefully, they would get a chance to start their life. At that point, we will filter in new ones.
I was homeless at one point in my life. Most people don’t understand the struggle. When you get a job, you must provide an ID, but you must have a permanent residence to get an ID. The shelters would give a home to those looking and trying to make it for themselves.
Can you please give us your favorite life lesson quote? And can you explain how that was relevant in your life?
“It’s a marathon, not a sprint” I have lived my whole life by this. In a sprint, you burn out and rush and stress, but in a marathon, you enjoy the journey.
We are blessed that some very prominent names in Business, VC funding, Sports, and Entertainment read this column. Is there a person in the world or in the US with whom you would love to have a private breakfast or lunch, and why? He or she might just see this if we tag them.
I have two. First Michael Jordan! I am the biggest Jordan fan. Sometimes I feel like he raised me. I would study his moves, his interviews, the way he walked. He was my hero growing up. Second, Elon Musk, he is such an innovator and thinker. I know I could learn so much from him. Maybe I would get lucky, and he would listen to my prison restoration idea as well.
Thank you so much for these amazing insights. This was so inspiring, and we wish you continued success!
Music Stars Making A Social Impact: Why & How Landau Eugene Murphy Jr Is Helping To Change Our… was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.