Landau Eugene Murphy of 'America's Got Talent,' to Release THAT'S LIFE, 11/21

Columbia Records is pleased to announce that the debut album from Landau Eugene Murphy, Jr., this year's "America's Got Talent" winner, will be released on November 21, 2011.

Landau's emotional AGT triumph on September 14 was seen by more than 14 million viewers. And his thrilling renditions of Frank Sinatra classics like "My Way," "Fly Me To The Moon," and "Under My Skin" won him a legion of supporters who were wowed by his poise-under-pressure and unassuming charm.

For his debut album, That's Life, Landau will collaborate with Grammy Award-winning producer Steve Tyrell on a songbook of Rat Pack hits from the '60s, '70s and '80s.

Admired by his fans as much for his down-to-earth nature as for his incredible talent, Landau is a 37-year-old father of four who has supported his family by working at a car wash ("I'm a new car detailer," he explained to the AGT judges) for the past 10 years.

His prize for winning the four-month-long talent search: $1 million and a contract to headline at the Colosseum Theater at Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas. However, Landau says his real prize has been the support and love of the family members and friends who encouraged him to take a chance and enter the contest.

When Landau first auditioned on NBC's "America's Got Talent" in June 2011, he said simply, "I am here to show America I can sing." And when he did sing, he gave the audience in New York's Radio City Music Hall a moment of astonishment. Landau's version of "Under My Skin" brought the audience - and even the judging panel -- to their feet.

"I was thinking that you'd be a total train-wreck," admitted judge Piers Morgan. "I couldn't believe what I was hearing!" Added judge Howie Mandel: "Your life will never be the same."

As the competition went on, Landau revealed more about himself - including some aspects of a painful past. "I've had a lot of low points in my life," he said, including one period of homelessness when he was 19. As he grew older and put his life in order, Landau made it a goal to help those less fortunate. He has performed in several benefits for West Virginia children's charities in recent years.

After Landau's landslide win on "America's Got Talent," the singer's tiny hometown of Logan, West Virginia, threw a parade and welcome home celebration in his honor. The event filled the local fieldhouse to overflow capacity and included a visit from state Governor Earl Ray Tomblin, who awarded Landau with The Distinguished West Virginian award. Other awards and tributes flowed in from state and local officials and a local street was even named "Landau Lane" in honor of the singer.

Now the underdog has become top dog -- and can't believe his good fortune. Landau noted, "This would be meaningless if it wasn't for my wife and children and the rest of my family. I wanted to win for them, not just for the money, but so that they could feel proud of me. I wake up in the morning and I can't believe how much my life has changed."

Landau and Steve Tyrell are working on the new album and songs titles include: "My Way," "Witchcraft," "Night and Day," "Fly Me To The Moon," "I Get A Kick Out Of You," "Something Stupid (featuring Judith Hill)," "Ain't That A Kick In The Head?," "That's Life," "I've Got You Under My Skin," "I've Got The World On A String," and "Baby It's Cold Outside (featuring Judith Hill)."

During his storied 40-year music career, Tyrell has scored movies (That Thing You Do, Father of the Bride), produced albums for dozens of top singers (Diana Ross, Ray Charles, Smokey Robinson, Linda Ronstadt, Mary J Blige, Chris Botti, Bonnie Raitt, Bette Midler, Rod Stewart and Stevie Wonder among them) and recorded his own albums.

Photo credit: NBC

 

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