Hidden Talents

Some of you may be familiar with Landau Eugene Murphy Jr., a singing sensation that recently got exposure on the television show America’s Got Talent. Hidden away in Logan, WV, he had been washing cars for the past 10 years until finally getting the opportunity to showcase his talent to the world. Based on his look, being from Logan, WV, and chewing gum while onstage, the judges thought they were in for a train wreck, but as soon as he started singing, their jaws dropped.

The question must be asked: How can someone with so much singing ability not get discovered until age 36? Well, a lot of factors seem to come into play in this story. First, Logan, WV is not exactly known for producing music sensations. While someone with a Frank Sinatra voice could do amazing things in New York City or Las Vegas, he basically went unnoticed in Logan. Second, from watching the video, it appears that Landau had no idea how good he really is. Obviously, he had enough of a support system to encourage him to try out for America’s Got Talent, but imagine if he had pursued his dreams at an earlier age. No matter how much talent is there, he needed friends and family to push him to nurture and pursue those dreams, people who believed in him. Third, Landau had to believe in himself. After getting the support from his friends and family, Landau finally became confident enough to follow his dream of sharing his voice with the world.

Imagine how many people are in a similar situation to Landau. They have talent, but are not in an environment that is ready to accept and nurture it. They have talent, but need someone to believe in them. They have a talent, but may not even recognize its worth to society.

What can we do? While we may not be able to change the music scene or culture in our local community, we can do many things to help create a more accepting and nurturing environment. Success stories can go a long way in changing certain prejudices and stereotypes in our community. No matter what size the community, there is always some level of diversity. Each success story is more likely to lead to another. For example, these judges may have different expectations if another contestant from West Virginia comes on stage. We can believe in someone who needs support. Most of us have at least one person who believes in us, whether it be a family member, friend, co-worker, etc. However, some people do not have a support system in place. They need someone to believe in their ability. It’s amazing what people can do if you give them the support and encouragement they need. When the environment is right and the support is there, people of all different levels and abilities can truly utilize their talents at the highest level.