Community Bulletin
Fred W. Eberle Technical Center in Buckhannon is enrolling students in its commercial driver’s license (CDL) training program, an accelerated course that can be completed in five to seven weeks. Both daytime and limited evening sessions are available. Read more →
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Landau Eugene Murphy Jr. will headline a free concert at 6 p.m. Saturday, June 20, on the main stage at Jawbone Park in downtown Buckhannon during the 2026 Almost Heaven BBQ Bash.
Murphy, originally from southern West Virginia, is the soul-and-Sinatra singing performer who first rose to national attention as the season six winner of NBC TV’s “America’s Got Talent.”
The West Virginia-based car washer turned crooner’s debut album, “That’s Life,” on Columbia Records and recorded at Capitol Records studios in Los Angeles, spent several weeks atop the Billboard Jazz charts and in the Top 40 overall.
He has since released four additional albums, including two with Grammy-winning producers; penned an Amazon No. 1 best-selling memoir titled “From Washing Cars to Hollywood Star”; appeared on multiple network TV shows; had a featured role in a film; was nominated for an NAACP Image Award; was named “Reality TV Star of the Year”; and was named one of the Top 10 Outstanding Young Americans by the United States Jaycees.
Murphy has toured extensively around the world, headlining concerts in New York City, Shanghai, Las Vegas, Dubai, Atlantic City, Hollywood, Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry stage, for American troops stationed in Europe and more.
His latest release, “I’m Not Messing Around,” is Murphy’s first album of all original material. All songs were written or co-written by Murphy and the album’s producer, Rob Hegel, known for his work with Air Supply, Labelle’s Sarah Dash and his solo career, which included appearances on “American Bandstand” and scoring the themes for network television shows including “Don Kirshner’s Rock Concert.”
During the COVID-19 pandemic and his forced time off the road, Murphy turned his attention to his education, went back to school online and received his high school equivalency diploma three decades after dropping out. He is now a spokesperson and advocate for adult learning nationwide.
Each Christmas season since winning “America’s Got Talent,” Murphy travels from coast to coast with his annual Home for the Holidays Tour. He commits several performances to West Virginia, where he has helped raise millions of dollars for Mountain State charities. Each tour stop in West Virginia also serves as a drop-off location for Murphy’s Kids Joy Toy Drive. Murphy and wife Peyton have personally distributed thousands of toys across West Virginia to children in need of extra Christmas cheer.
Organizers will collect toys, stuffed animals and other unwrapped items up to a $20 value for Murphy’s Kids Joy Toy Drive during this year’s BBQ Bash. Items may be dropped off anytime during the weekend.
The Almost Heaven BBQ Bash will also include barbecue and other foods, arts and crafts, games and family activities. Live entertainment includes Blue Steele, a gospel and bluegrass act, on Thursday, June 18; Rick K’s Road Trip on Friday, June 19; and Murphy on Saturday, June 20. All shows begin at 6 p.m.
For more information, call 866-710-7600 or visit the Almost Heaven BBQ Bash Facebook page for event announcements and updates.
