Hours before the Top 11 from American Idol season 10 took the stage at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, I had the opportunity to talk with a certain Idol contestant that was extremely excited and happy to be back in his neck of the woods.
Santa Cruz native, James Durbin and I sat down backstage for a pre-show chat, where he discussed getting the crowd up and on their feet during the tour, writing and recording for his album, and the episode of Idol that neither of us will be forgetting anytime soon.
So how does it feel to be performing in the Bay Area?
It feels great. We did Oakland last night, and that was insane. I’m really excited for tonight.
It has to be a cool feeling to have tried out for the show in San Francisco, and have this full circle kind of moment.
This place, HP Pavilion, I came to my very first sporting event here. It was the Sharks versus the Avalanche. I was five-years-old, packed arena, and out of every single person, my one seat, I won a CD player. And then a hockey puck got hit over [the barrier] and landed right next to me. Unfortunately the Sharks lost, but two out of three things ain’t bad.
I’ve been here so many times. I’ve seen countless wrestling shows here. I once waited for three hours and climbed on top of that cement wall to catch a glimpse of Chris Jericho. Now I have him on speed dial. We were just texting and he’s in Europe with his band touring. We went and saw Rod Stewart, Stevie Nicks, Poison, and Motley Crue, and hang out all the time. It’s so crazy, it’s a full swing.
Very cool. Have you been able to get back to Santa Cruz while you’re here, or does everyone kind of have to come to you?
Everyone’s had to come here. I’m dying to go to Socrates and get a sandwich, but unfortunately not, which really sucks. It’s a twenty minute cab ride. I could grab lunch and come back.
Article comments
1 - Glen Boyd
Love that he's wearing WWE wrestler The Miz's T-shirt...LOL. I'm normally not an Idol fan at all, but James got me hooked this year. Nice kid with a great voice. Hope he gets signed soon.
Oh, and nice job on this Kristen.
-Glen
2 - Stacey
Kirsten, you are getting me hooked on James! After reading your review of the tour the other day I started watching videos of James and these other kids - I didn't watch the show this year. James definitely stood out to me as the best on the videos I saw and I'm really surprised he didn't win. What a fantastic voice and fantastic personality too. I also read that he is a very devoted family man with a little son and fiance who he adores. I hope he goes really far with his career - I'm going out to buy his EP. Great interview - keep 'em coming - I'm a James Durbin fan now!
3 - imrahd
All the contestants need to realize that this is last of star treatment they are going to get via American Idol, after this it is a cold world out there and you will need to hustle to be seen or heard,to perform on a big stage like this tour is going to be hard to come by, you will need to put out money from your own pocket to support tour spending. Reality will be much harsher if you think from now on you will be singing arena stage only(no more bar singing?) Think again and be prepared.
4 - Beth
He is a poser for sure. I am a metal fan and he screams wannabe to me. I doubt he will amount to much. Nobody wants a reality contestant winner who got a break from a silly tv contest mimicking a metal band!