FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Monday, April 7, 2014
United States Junior Chamber Names Landau Eugene Murphy Jr. 2014 Ten Outstanding Young Americans
Landau slated to perform his only concert this year at Clay Center in Charleston Thursday June 19th with former lead vocalists from Temptations, Platters and Drifters to celebrate HospiceCare 35th Anniversary, presented by Brickstreet Insurance
ST. LOUIS – What do Bill Clinton, Elvis Presley, Wayne Newton and General Chuck Yeager have in common? They are all past recipients of the United States Jaycees Ten Outstanding Young Americans award. For over 75 years, the United States Junior Chamber (Jaycees) has recognized the ten young men and women – under the age of 40 – who best exemplify the highest attributes of the nation’s emerging generation. The U.S. Jaycees is pleased to name West Virginia’s own Landau Eugene Murphy Jr. to the 2014 Ten Outstanding Young Americans who will be honored at the 76th annual black-tie awards ceremony – to be held June 28, 2014, at the BWI Airport Marriott Hotel in Baltimore, MD.
“Since the beginning of the Ten Outstanding Young Americans (TOYA) program, the US Jaycees have recognized young men and women who are truly dedicated to the world around them. Each class of winners represents the best of the best in a variety of categories, but they are all bound by one common belief – that service to humanity is the best work of life,” said Fay Poissant, President of the US Jaycees. “ I have no doubt that the 2014 TOYA recipients will continue to create positive change through their selflessness and willingness to create sustainable solutions in their communities, much like the Jaycees have been doing for nearly 100 years.”
Landau’s only public performance this year in the Charleston area is scheduled for Thursday June 19th at the Clay Center. The concert will feature as Landau’s special guests the former lead vocalists from the Temptations (Glenn Leonard), Platters (Joe Coleman) and Drifters (Joe Blunt) and Landau’s All Star Big Band. Landau will preview songs from his upcoming third album at the concert. The performance benefits HospiceCare, celebrating their 35th anniversary and is presented by Brickstreet Insurance. Tickets are on sale now at The Clay Center box office and online at www.theclaycenter.org and landaumurphyjr.com.
To learn more about the 2014 Ten Outstanding Young American honorees, the program, or the 76th Annual Banquet and Ceremony event, please visit www.jayceemember.com/toya.
About Ten Outstanding Young Americans Program
The Ten Outstanding Young Americans program (TOYA) is one of the oldest and most prestigious recognition programs in America. Annually since 1938, The United States Jaycees has sought out the ten young men and women (under the age of 40) who best exemplify the finest attributes of America’s youthful achievers. Previous honorees include Bill Clinton (1979), John F. Kennedy (1946), Dick Cheney (1976), Kurt Warner (2010), Wayne Newton (1977), Gale Sayers (1969), Elvis Presley (1970) and Michele Tafoya (2001).
About the Jaycees
Leadership development through community involvement has been the basis of the Jaycees since its inception in 1920. The goal of the not-for-profit organization is to provide members a means to reach their full potential through networking and personal growth opportunities, and is ideal for proactive young people ages 18 to 40. Members enhance a variety of leadership, management and communication skills as they work together to plan and run civic and individual development activities that affect positive change in their home communities and throughout the world. To learn more about the Jaycees visit www.usjaycees.org.
About Landau
Landau Eugene Murphy Jr. thrilled fans of NBC television’s hit series America’s Got Talent as the dreadlocked crooner that won America’s hearts, walking away with the largest number of winning votes in the history of the series. Landau’s classic crooning and smooth style has spread well beyond AGT audiences worldwide. From headlining Caesars Palace in Las Vegas to Harlem’s famed Apollo Theater and all points in between, Landau has performed all across the country and internationally, having toured China with fellow AGT winner Michael Grimm and performed for U.S. troops stationed in Europe.
Landau’s first Columbia Records album, “That’s Life,” produced by Grammy winner Steve Tyrell, debuted at #1 on the Billboard jazz charts in 2011. He released his follow-up holiday album “Christmas Made for Two” in 2013, featuring Christmas classics, new sounds of the season, and a special guest cameo from Glenn Leonard, former lead singer of the Temptations, on their soulful duet of “Silent Night.” Landau’s autobiography published by Headline Books titled “Landau Eugene Murphy Jr. – From Washing Cars to Hollywood Star” spent several weeks in the top spot of Amazon’s Jazz Books chart late last year.
Landau’s third album, recorded at the famed Capitol Records Studio “B” in Hollywood, is slated for release later this year. The new project will feature Landau’s soulful, original spin on Great American Songbook standards, a handful of R&B flavored classics, and two new original songs co-written by Landau and multi-platinum producer/songwriters Dapo Torimiro (John Legend, Jordin Sparks, Brandy, David Archuleta, Justin Bieber), and Bill Meyers (Madonna, Natalie Cole, Dionne Warwick, Olivia Newton-John, Four Tops). Grammy winner Jeffrey Weber produced the new Landau CD.
Landau has appeared on dozens of major network and cable TV and radio shows, received the Reality Television Personality of the Year award, was nominated for an NAACP Image Award, and performed in both the nationally televised Macy’s Christmas Parade and Hollywood Christmas Parade. Landau has received his home state’s two highest honors, named “West Virginian of the Year” by the Charleston Gazette newspaper and “Distinguished West Virginian” by Governor Earl Ray Tomblin.