America’s Got Talent winner and Logan native Landau Eugene Murphy, Jr., will come to the Opera House for a special Christmas benefit concert for the Pocahontas County Opera House on Thursday, December 13 at 7:30 p.m. Accompanied by his jazz combo, Murphy will transport the audience back to the days of the Rat Pack, filling the Opera House with the tunes of Frank Sinatra and the Great American Songbook.

In November 2010, Landau Eugene Murphy and his wife, Jennifer, left their hometown of Logan for New York City, where they stood for more than 12 hours outside the Jacob Javits Convention Center in Manhattan. They were among the thousands of people—young and old, singers, dancers, jugglers, mimes, and more—lined up to audition for NBC’s America’s Got Talent. It would take several more hours for Murphy to finally get inside and sing a few bars, and his day grew even longer as he sang for one producer after another. Soon, he was the last one sitting in a huge rehearsal hall.

“I knew that was a good sign,” recalled Jennifer.

The rest as they say is history.

After receiving standing ovations from judges Sharon Osbourne, Piers Morgan and Howie Mandel, singing a sizzling duet with the iconic Patti LaBelle, and crooning a rousing rendition of “My Way,” Murphy was named the winner of AGT’s sixth season on September 14, 2011. Just in time for Christmas 2011, Syco/Columbia Records released Murphy’s first album, "That’s Life," which debuted at number one on the Billboard jazz charts and the top 40 overall. Not only did his unique singing style make him stand out from all of his competition, Landau’s humility, charm and confidence endeared him to the AGT judges, viewers and audiences at his sold-out concert tour that launched in December 2011 and is still going strong.

Many have compared Murphy's smooth vocals and phrasing to that of Frank Sinatra, a singer he has always admired. That’s why many of the tracks from “That’s Life” are Sinatra standards, but Murphy does them his way.

"I put my own voice and my own soul into this album," said Murphy. "For a lot of music fans, especially older people, I can bring back some happy memories. And hopefully I can create new memories for generations to come. I think my album encompasses all of that. I want to give back as much as possible and stay true to the people who supported me,” he said.

Tickets for the benefit concert are $20 for adults, $10 for youth 10-17, and will go on sale at pocahontasoperahouse.org Monday, November 12.

Modern Woodmen of America's Greenbrier County chapter has pledged to match the proceeds raised from the concert up to $2,500.

The Pocahontas County Opera House is located at 818 Third Avenue in Marlinton. Performances at the Opera House are informal, family-friendly and open to all. The entrance and main seating are accessible to persons with disabilities. Persons with disabilities are encouraged to attend; special accommodations can be arranged upon request by calling 304-799-6645.

This performance is presented with support from Pocahontas County Dramas, Fairs and Festivals, NRAO, Pendleton Community Bank, the Law Office of Roger D. Forman and the Old Clark Inn.