In the summer of 2011, more than 14 million viewers each week watched with awe as a gifted vocalist from the coalfields of West Virginia rose to the top spot on NBC TV’s “America’s Got Talent.” Soon, they will be able to read the amazing story behind Landau Eugene Murphy Jr.’s journey from washing cars to Hollywood star.
Murphy has signed an exclusive contract with Headline Books Inc. of Terra Alta, W.Va., to publish his forthcoming memoir. “I’m so happy that a publisher from my home state of West Virginia will help me to tell my story, my way. I am definitely no saint, and I’m going to put it all out there in this book in hopes that it inspires readers to dream big, and never give up,” said Murphy who won a million dollars and a headlining spot at Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas as the top vote getter on “America’s Got Talent.” His debut CD on Columbia Records “That’s Life” debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Jazz charts and Landau’s tour has sold out all over America.
Landau performed recently at The Greenbrier Resort’s Casino Club in Lewisburg, W.Va.
“Landau Murphy is an exceptional talent with a personality to match,” said Headline Books President Cathy Teets. “The world was glued to their TV sets during Season 6 of “America’s Got Talent” and watched Landau win week after week, finally taking home the grand prize. Landau and his wife, Jennifer, have an amazing story to tell and we are very excited about this new project. Award-winning novelist, Rick Robinson, will be helping Landau with his first book.
“The story of Landau Eugene Murphy Jr. is more than a rags-to-riches story of some singer who won a reality show – it’s a story of faith, hope, destiny, and dreams. To many people, Landau is the young man with dreadlocks who sings like Sinatra, but the story to be told is that of someone I’ve discovered to be a hard-working man of enduring faith. When you’re finished reading this book, you’ll discover that, along with having a great voice, Landau is a world-class human being.”
Burke Allen, Landau’s manager and head of Washington, D.C.-based Allen Media Strategies, says that Murphy’s story is “cinematic in scope, almost like a Rocky Balboa come-from-behind against impossible odds type life. It truly is the American dream; a young man who has seen it all, from abject poverty to broken relationships, vicious inner-city violence, even homelessness to gradually turning his life around and through his hard work, determination, faith and undeniable talent Landau has succeeded beyond everyone’s wildest expectations.”
Founded in Terra Alta 28 years ago, Headline Books is the 2011 International Independent Publisher of the Year. Teets said, “I am very proud of my authors and their excellent books. To date our books have won 150 national awards including Independent Book of the Year, Grand Prize Winner at the London Book Festival, Best Fiction at the Paris and New York Book Festivals and 20 Mom’s Choice Awards. We have more than 160 titles and look forward to the New Year with more excellent books scheduled to release in 2013.”
News media interviews are available upon request. Updates are available on www.HeadlineBooks.com and www.LandauMurphyJr.com.
