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Tuesday, May 31, 2011

James Durbin, in a Pre-American Idol Performance with His Band, Hollywood Scars

Before James Durbin became American Idol Season 10's best-loved Rebel Rocker, James fronted a band called Hollywood Scars. The Scars perform Led Zeppelin's "Whole Lotta Love" at The Britannia Arms in Aptos, CA on March 28th 2009. This was their first Your Music Magazine Band Olympicks Vocal Solo Event with The Dead Ringers as the back-up band. James Durbin was the 2009 & 2010 YMO Vocal Solo Event GOLD MEDAL winner!!



  

Friday, May 27, 2011

James Durbin, American Idol Season 10's Metal God, Visits The Ellen DeGeneres Show

When James Durbin was voted off American Idol Season 10 at the Top 4 Results Show, it came as a shock to many people -- including Ellen! She invited him to Th Ellen DeGeneresShow to talk about his Idol experience, his unprecedented homecoming and why he has become an inspiration to so many.

A true James fan, Ellen said, "I was heartbroken you were sent home. I don't understand it. And really, early on, I picked you to win the whole thing. I think you're amazing." Quite a ringing endorsement from this ex-Idol judge!


"It's so special and so heartwarming to know that, not only am I going on the show (Idol) to fulfill my dream, but I'm also able to be a voice for people - for some people that feel that it's hard or are too afraid to speak up or to speak out. That it's okay to be different. That it's okay to be weird or a freak, or this and that. I embrace it. I'm freaky," said James. Adding, "Different's the new normal."




  

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

American Idol's James Durbin & Haley Reinhart together make up 13 of the Top 25 most popular iTunes singles this year.

"We’re getting down to the wire, so this is about the time when we all start to speculate on how successful our beloved contestants will be when they are done with the show. The first step to achieving success, at least for most, is fairing well in the recording studio.

The great part about Idol is we get a glimpse into what these kids’ recordings will sound like, as each week, the contestants release full-studio versions of their live performances.

So, without further ado, here are American Idol Season 10’s most popular studio recordings on iTunes:

(NOTE: Rankings are based on the number of iTunes song ratings (as well as their star ratings) and the number of file-sharers to account for total popularity)

1. “House of the Rising Sun” by The Animals — Haley Reinhart (Top 5)

What an awesome song! Just like her live version, the song starts out a capella and builds from there. She also belts out a few more big notes than in the live version (since she was forced to cut some parts out), and I honestly believe those are the best parts of the studio bit. The Animals’ version is pretty epic, but Haley somehow tops it 46 years later.

2. “Bennie and the Jets” by Elton John — Haley Reinhart (Top 11 Redux)

Haley haters: you should really check out her studio recordings. She growls a lot less! Just so you know: she doesn’t have to growl, she just does it because it adds so much character to her voice. I happen to love the growl, and even though it’s almost non-existent in this version, it’s still extremely catchy. As well as Haley sang this one live, her studio version might even be better. Her vocals are perfect and everything about it sounds really modern. It’s also quicker than Elton John’s.

3. “Rolling in the Deep” by Adele — Haley Reinhart (Top 7)

It sure does bode well for Haley that she can take the #1 song in the country, put her own twist on it, and make it sound at least as good as the original. I liked that there is a lot more variety here than in Adele's. Her phrasing is gorgeous (she seems to be the best at that), and the liberties she takes with the runs are quite impressive. If the radio has destroyed Adele’s song for you, give this one a go!

4. “The River” by Garth Brooks — Scotty McCreery (Top 13)

This is Scotty’s first studio recording, which explains why it is so high in the rankings. The first time you hear his studio voice, you can’t help but bop your head up and down with the song. Even if you don’t like country music, he has a much deeper, richer tone than any of the current pop-country stars we have today. His lower register is showcased brilliantly in this song.

5. “Uprising” by Muse — James Durbin (Top 7)

James was a bit clumsy with the notes in his live performance of this song, and those screams actually turned screechy. I enjoy a good on-key scream, but it was a bit much. In his studio version, his notes are obviously spot-on, and there is no overcooked scream at the end. Also, his lower register sounds infinitely better in the studio than it does on the stage, which really helped make this one sound superb. He left the song virtually unchanged from the Museversion, but I still like it a lot.

6. “Maybe I’m Amazed” by Paul McCartney and Wings — James Durbin (Top 13)

The lower parts of the song sound really nice, but when he goes into his upper register, his voice sounds strikingly thin for a studio version. This song’s ranking is a bit inflated because of James’ “shock boot”. He sang this one for his swan song, so a lot of people came back and downloaded it.

7. “Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow” by Carole King/The Shirelles – James Durbin (Top 6)

For the most part, James’ voice sounds excellent in the studio. He has showcased some weaknesses live, such as a thin lower register, wobbly notes, and screechiness, but you should definitely check out his recorded stuff. Since he doesn’t have to belt it out as much in-studio, his voice has a much crisper tone, and his lower register sounds really strong. There’s a lot more substance in his recording voice, which could help him land a good contract. One thing he has to do is lose the excessive screaming in his recordings, as that’s built more for live performances, not for my iPod’s ear buds.

8. “All By Myself” by Eric Carmen/Celine Dion— Pia Toscano (Top 13)

Oh. My. God. This is just unreal. Everyone knows that Pia has an amazing live voice, but she is just as good here. There’s a pureness about it that is so pleasing. Her high notes in this bit are incredible. The power notes are, of course, spectacular, but her soft highs are even more enjoyable. Great build up to the finish. I can see why it cracked the Top 10. Celine Dion has a new rival.

9. “Can I Trust You With My Heart” by Travis Tritt — Scotty McCreery (Top 12)

Meh. This one puts me to sleep. It feels like he is singing the same three notes over and over again. That’s the thing about Scotty – he has such a limited range. The first couple of times you hear him, he sounds outstanding, but that fondness wears out rather quickly. How else do you explain that after his FIRST TWO studio recordings, none of his songs appear on this list until #24? And that #24 song is “Gone” – way out of the box for Scotty. Even though he can stay in his comfort zone right now without risk of penalty, he can’t do that if he wants to be a post-Idol success. He needs to keep things fresh; hopefully he realizes that.

10. “Blue” written for Patsy Cline; by LeAnn Rimes — Haley Reinhart (Top 13)

This is going to fluster the Scotty/Lauren fans, but some may argue that Haley Reinhart owns the best Country performance on the American Idol stage this year, with this LeAnn Rimes song. The recorded version isn’t quite as strong as her live performance, but it’s still great. Some people don’t appreciate the yodel, but it’s very difficult to do. You’re moving in and out of falsetto with each note, so making smooth transitions and staying on pitch can be a nightmare. But this was done perfectly. Believe it or not, this is the first recorded song I downloaded this season, and apparently I wasn’t the only one.

11. “With a Little Help From My Friends” by The Beatles — Casey Abrams (Top 13)

12. “Your Song” by Elton John; in the movie Moulin Rouge — Casey Abrams (Top 11 Redux)

13. “I (Who Have Nothing)” by Ben E. King/Tom Jones/Shirley Bassey — Haley Reinhart (Top 4)

14. “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” by The Beatles — James Durbin (Top 9)

15. “I’ll Be There For You” by Bon Jovi — James Durbin (Top 12)

16. “River Deep, Mountain High” by Ike and Tina Turner — Pia Toscano (Top 9)

17. “Living For the City” by Stevie Wonder — James Durbin (Top 11)

18. “Harder to Breathe” by Maroon 5 — Casey Abrams (Top 7)

19. “The Climb” by Miley Cyrus — Lauren Alaina (Top 8

20. “Come Pick Me Up” by Ryan Adams — Paul McDonald (Top 13)

21. “Piece of My Heart” by Janis Joplin — Haley Reinhart (Top 9)

22. “Have You Ever Seen the Rain” by Creedence Clearwater Revival — Casey Abrams (Top 9)

23. “You and I” by Lady Gaga — Haley Reinhart (Top 5)

24. “Gone” by Montgomery Gentry — Scotty McCreery (Top 5)

25. “Candle in the Wind” by Elton John — Lauren Alaina (Top 11 Redux)
source:idolheaded

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Fox All Access Goes One on One with American Idol's James Durbin

As American Idol gets ready for its two night Season Finale, Fox All Access is live in Los Angeles at the Nokia Theatre where the finale will be taking place tonight 8/7 central on FOX. Yesterday, All Access spoke to many of Season 10's Idol contestants.

Fox All Access host Chris Leary spoke to James Durbin, who won the affection of many fans while performing on the show. Durbin told about his experience on the show and going on tour with his fellow Idol contestants and so much more.




  

Monday, May 23, 2011

American Idol's James Durbin Speaks with Fans after Singing on Durbin Day

James Durbin, American Idol Season 10's most shocking eliminee, spoke to an estimated crowd of 30,000 fans after performing his set on Durbin Day at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk on May 14th, 2011. After James took the boardwalk stage, Santa Cruz Mayor Ryan Coonerty decided James Durbin Day wouldn’t be good enough. How about James Durbin Week? How about James Durbin Month? Not good enough either, the mayor decided. He proclaimed 2011 "The Year of James Durbin". This is the first time a year has been dedicated to an individual.

Even though James finished fourth in the Idol competition, the mayor's office was able to convince Idol producers to allow James to have his homecoming. This is the first time in Idol's 10 year history that a fourth place finisher was granted the honour of a hometown visit, parade and concert.

James performed The Beatles "While My Guitar Gently Weeps," Journey's "Don't Stop Believing," then asked the crowd, "Will You Still Love me Tomorrow?" before serenading them with this Carole King classic.



  


Saturday, May 21, 2011

American Idol's James Durbin Rocks The Tonight Show with Jay Leno

James Durbin, American Idol Season 10's resident Metal~Head, rocks The Tonight Show with Jay Leno

The day following his elimination from American Idol, James Durbin stepped onto The Tonight Show stage and rocked the house.

Despite Idol viewers making such a huge mistake, the Santa Cruz kid is proud of what he brought to the competition.

“I came here [Idol] to do what I wanted to do and I stuck to it,” Durbin told Jay Leno, “and I think I did a pretty good job.”

James then sat in with The Tonight Show band for the rest of the show, rocking many of his Idol tracks, including "You Got Another Thing Coming" by Judas Priest, "Heavy Metal" by Sammy Hagar (from the movie Heavy Metal), Stevie Wonder's "Living for the City", "Saturday's Alright for Fighting" by Elton John and Carole King's (and The Shirelles') "Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow".




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Friday, May 20, 2011

American Idol's James Durbin Asks "Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow" at the Durbin Day Concert

After the shocking elimination of American Idol Season 10's Metal-Head James Durbin, he was still allowed a hometown visit. This was the first time in Idol history that a finalist outside of the Final 3 was given the honour of a Homecoming. During Durbin Day at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk on May 14, 2011, James asked the assembled crowd of 30,000, "Will you Still Love Me Tomorrow?", and sang an amazing version of this Carole King/The Shirelles song.



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Thursday, May 19, 2011

American Idol's James Durbin and Randy Jackson Jam on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon

American Idol judge Randy Jackson, the only judge to remain on Idol for all ten seasons, turned his scheduled appearance into an unexpected jam session on Tuesday night's "Late Night With Jimmy Fallon". After Jimmy showed off an old picture of Randy playing bass for Journey back in 1986-87, when he was "a cool dude in a loose mood" according to Aerosmith's Steven Tyler, Randy and Jimmy headed over to the band "for a little Journey Jam." Jimmy then surprised the audience by announcing the 'special friend' Randy brought along to help them out ~ James Durbin! Ousted Season 10 Idol James Durbin leapt onto the stage, ready to ham it up and get his jam on. The boys rocked out to "Any Way You Want It", Journey's 1980 single and opening track from the album Departure.





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Wednesday, May 18, 2011

ALL OLD POSTS CAN BE FOUND @ http://aiseason10.blogspot.com

CLICK HERE for all older posts! While there, check out the JAMES DURBIN TAB for JAMES' BIO, VIDEO LIBRARY and PHOTO GALLERY!!!

American Idol's James Durbin Belts Out "Don't Stop Believing" at the Durbin Day Concert

American Idol Season 10's James 'Give Metal a Chance' Durbin belts out Journey's "Don't Stop Believing" at Durbin Day in his hometown, Santa Cruz, CA on May 14th, 2011. "Don't Stop Believing" has become one of James' signature songs, and one of his mottoes. He asked at the concert "Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow?" referring to the Carole King/Shirelles song and also the fact that although he was no longer on Idol, we'll be hearing a lot more from him. James Durbin was the first 4th place American Idol finisher ever to be granted the privilege of a homecoming, normally reserved only for the Final 3.Durbin Day included a parade, media interviews and the concert at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. James met with members of Kids on Broadway, the Santa Cruz-based group where Durbin performed as a teenager. One of the boys asked James, who was diagnosed with Tourette's and Asperger's Syndromes as a child,what to do about bullying. James, an amazing role-model, said, “I got made fun of, I got beat up. It’s those hard things that made me what I am. Just know you’re better than they are.”




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Tuesday, May 17, 2011

No Fallen Idol: James Durbin Makes a Triumphant Return to His Hometown, Santa Cruz, CA

Let us pity America's TV viewers.

Because James Durbin did not finish in the top three on "American Idol," the rest of the country will not get to experience what happened in Santa Cruz on Saturday. For the estimated 30,000 who did, the event is likely to linger in Santa Cruz's cultural memory for a long time.

The 22-year-old singing sensation was the center of attention on "Durbin Day" in Santa Cruz, which culminated in an hour-long concert on the bandstand at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. With the late afternoon sun turning the Monterey Bay silver as a backdrop, and an enormous carpet of screaming, hand-waving fans surrounding Durbin on all sides, it's a sure bet no "Idol" homecoming party was more picturesque.

Dragging two enormous gold wrestling championship belts wherever he went, Durbin met the press, spent time with a young people with Tourette's and answered questions from a swooing crowd of young theater performers before taking the stage at the Boardwalk.

After a prologue when Durbin sat on the edge of the stage and chatted with the throng about his emotions following his ouster on "Idol" last Thursday, he and the Santa Cruz-based White Album Ensemble began the show with "Will You Love Me Tomorrow?" (a song written by Carole King and originally recorded by The Shirelles.)

"I will never forget this," said an emotional Durbin before his rapt audience. "Thank you for begging them to bring me here."

Because he finished fourth in the competition, Durbin was originally not going to have a homecoming. On Friday afternoon, after prodding from the Boardwalk and the City of Santa Cruz, "Idol" agreed to allow Durbin to have his homecoming, a first in the show's 10-year history.

Santa Cruz Mayor Ryan Coonerty, seeking to go beyond the customary key-to-the-city greeting proclaimed 2011 as "James Durbin Year" and presented the singer with a surfboard on which was Durbin's likeness in midperformance.

"I was born in Santa Cruz," said Durbin to the crowd when asked about his future. "I grew up in Santa Cruz. And I'll forever live in Santa Cruz."

Durbin's second song was the Beatles' "While My Guitar Gently Weeps," which has become a signature song for him. He ended his mini-concert with the song he sang during his final performance show on "Idol": Journey's "Don't Stop Believin'."

Earlier in the day, Durbin sat on stage at the theater at the Louden Nelson Center with the directors of Kids On Broadway, the Santa Cruz-based group where Durbin performed as a teenager. He fielded several questions from the gathered kids, many of them grinning with excitement. One boy asked Durbin, who was diagnosed as a kid with both Tourette's and Asperger's syndromes, what to do about bullying.

"I got made fun of," he said. "I got beat up. It's those hard things that made me what I am. Just know you're better than they are."

Later, the entire auditorium of roughly 300 kids serenaded Durbin with their version of "Don't Stop Believin'."

When asked finally what advice he had for young performers nursing dreams of ambition, Durbin said, "Don't. Stop. Believing."
By WALLACE BAINE - Santa Cruz Sentinel




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Monday, May 16, 2011

American Idol's James Durbin Performs "While My Guitar Gently Weeps " at Durbin Day

American Idol Season 10's Rebel Rocker James Durbin performs "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" at Durbin Day at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk on May 14th, 2011. James Durbin was the first 4th place finisher, ever, in American Idol's ten year history to receive the special hometown visit of parades, interviews and concert normally reserved for the Top 3 finalists.



"While My Guitar Gently Weeps" is a song written by George Harrison. It was first performed by The Beatles for their double album The Beatles (also known as The White Album), featuring the lead guitar of Eric Clapton.



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CLICK HERE for all older posts (James Durbin's American Idol performances, etc.)! While there, check out the JAMES DURBIN TAB for JAMES' BIO, VIDEO LIBRARY and PHOTO GALLERY!!!


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Saturday, May 14, 2011

Durbin Day is On!! Check out this News Broadcast

American Idol Season 10's favorite Rocker James Durbin will have his day in the sun! In a rare exception, Idol producers have allowed Durbin Day to proceed, even though James did not make it into the Final 3. In years past, the hometown parade and concert have been given exclusively to the Final 3.


Durbin Day Back On In Santa Cruz, Watch the Concert Here

The Mayor of Santa Cruz has confirmed to Central Coast News that James Durbin is coming to Santa Cruz Saturday. According to the mayor, the folks at American Idol will make an exception and allow James Durbin to return home.

Some details of the day are still tentative, but the primary activities — a visit to Louden Nelson Center, a procession to the beach, and a concert at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk — will go on as planned.

This morning, calls and emails flooded into the Santa Cruz County Conference & Visitors Council, Santa Cruz City Hall, Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, and Santa Cruz Chamber of Commerce offices from Durbin fans as far away as Singapore who were disappointed with last night's results.

"We are pleased that fans, both locally and from far away, will have the chance to celebrate with us tomorrow during James' visit to Santa Cruz," said Maggie Ivy, Santa Cruz County Conference & Visitors Council CEO.

Schedule of Events

2:30-3:15 Press Event with James Durbin at Louden Nelson

3:15 - 4:15 Kids Rally at Louden Center

4:30 – 5:00 Walking Procession to Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk

5:00 Durbin joins the White Album Ensemble for 3 songs (White Album Ensemble starts playing at 4pm)
source:centralcoastnews


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Get your American Idol Live! tickets Now! Click below: American Idol Live Tour 2011