Over the next few weeks, “America’s Got Talent” winner Landau Eugene Murphy Jr. will be busy.

He’s receiving an honorary doctorate of music degree from the University of Charleston at the graduation ceremony on May 6 on the U.C. campus.

Murphy will walk across the stage in cap and gown and receive his honorary degree.

“What an incredible honor it is to receive this degree,” Murphy said. “Many thanks to University President Dr. Edwin Welch and the University for helping me achieve a lifelong dream.”

In an email written by Logan County businessman Greg Wooten and sent to Murphy’s manager, Burke Allen, Wooten asked: “So do I call him Doctor Dooney?”

Murphy’s nickname from childhood is “Dooney”.

He will then be honored by the Charleston Area Community Music Association along with choreographer and director Nina Denton Pasinetti and artist Susan Poffenbarger at the group’s annual Arts Awards Dinner in May.

“Our event honors members of our community who give so much to inspire the arts in the people around them,” Joe Wollenberger, president of the association, said.

Then, Murphy will head back out on tour for more concerts.

The awards dinner is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. May 9 at Berry Hills Country Club. Tickets are $100 per person. For reservations, call 304-342-4420 or 304-380-6782.

Murphy and his orchestra will perform a free concert on June 16 in Wheeling at Heritage Point to help celebrate West Virginia’s 149th birthday.

“We are thrilled to have someone like Mr. Murphy here for West Virginia Day. I can’t wait to see the crowd,” Wheeling Vice Mayor Gene Fahey said.

Murphy and the orchestra will perform for the first time in Huntington on May 17 at 7:30 p.m. at the historic Keith Albee Theatre. Tickets are available now at all Ticketmaster outlets and can be charged by phone by calling 304-696-6656 Monday through Friday from noon to 5 p.m., or purchase online at www.ticketmaster.com. Proceeds from the concert will benefit the Golden Girl Group Home, providing hope to young girls all over the tri-state.

The concert is being presented by the Rotary and Clear Channel Media & Entertainment.

Murphy and the Sweet Lippz Band will perform May 20 at the Mac Gray Auditorium in Statesville, NC, in a special fundraising event for the Statesville High School music program. The Statesville High School Chorus will join Murphy on stage for “New York, New York”.

Call 704-677-9468 for tickets or more information, as the show is expected to sell out quickly.

To contact Staff Writer Michael Browning, call 304-752-6950, extension 309, or email him at mbrowning@loganbanner.com.