FIRST PERSON | To say that NBC’s “America’s Got Talent” newest winner Landau Eugene Murphy Jr.’s hometown of Logan, W.Va., is proud of him would be an understatement. Throughout the season, Murphy’s hometown has shown tremendous support for the talented singer, including hosting watch parties at the Fountain Place Cinema in Logan and displaying signs of support at numerous businesses.
Now Logan has taken it a step further by declaring Sept. 14, the day Murphy won “America’s Got Talent,” as Landau Murphy Day. In addition, on that day only the county will change from Logan County to Landau County.
The announcement was made Wednesday at a celebration event at the Logan Memorial Fieldhouse following a welcome home parade for Murphy that was sponsored by the Logan County Chamber of Commerce and the Hatfield-McCoy Convention.
Hundreds of supporters battled the rain to line the streets of Logan to express their congratulations and catch a glimpse of Murphy, who just over one week ago in Los Angeles captured the top prize of $1 million and a headlining show at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas starting Oct. 28.
Murphy and his wife Jennifer Carter Murphy were the last group to ride through the parade, proudly smiling and waving at the crowd as they passed by. Also participating in the parade was Acting West Virginia Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin.
Linda Richardson, of Whitman, came to the parade to show her support for Murphy.
“It was history in the making and I was happy to be a part of it,” Richardson said.
After the parade ended, a huge crowd gathered at the Logan Memorial Fieldhouse for a free celebration honoring Murphy. Murphy entered the fieldhouse walking a red carpet to a roar of cheers from fans.
Following a performance by the Daddy Rabbit Band, Murphy received several more honors, including the Distinguished West Virginian award presented by Gov. Tomblin, the key to the city of Logan, and the honor of having a street near his residence in Omar named Landau Lane. Landau also surprised the crowd by performing his award-winning renditions of Frank Sinatra’s “My Way” and “Under My Skin” and the Temptations’ “My Girl.”
A few times during the tribute, Murphy bowed his head and covered his face to contain his emotions, as he did when he won “America’s Got Talent.”
“Keep following your dreams no matter how hard it gets,” Murphy said to the crowd while expressing his appreciation at the end of event.
At the end of the celebration, Murphy signed autographs and took pictures with fans.