Durbin Day in Santa Cruz (the homecoming Fox tried to ban)

[MichaelLydon]

Glad James Durbin got a homecoming, and I love the film, but I'd never heard of the guy! I haven';t left NYC in a while, but if I do, I want a ticker tape parade down Broadway when I get back!!

[kenrg]

@MichaelLydon I heard there's a parade each time I leave town, but that could just be a coincidence...

[4kiev]

It's cool that my daughter was in your movie! Thanks!.. She made a still motion video from that Day! It's on my channel!

[kenrg]

@4kiev Her video was extremely cool and well done - thanks for pointing me to it! For those looking for it, her daughter's channel is LoneBinky - check it out!

[4kiev]

Awesome video!!!! My daughter was an onstage photographer for Durbin Day! Thanks for posting it!

[kenrg]

@4kiev Very cool that she was onstage! It was a great day for the whole community.

[Jenla68]

thank you from the east coast for posting the video...it's a shame the network didn't air any of it!

[kenrg]

@Jenla68 There was a rumor that they might show some of Durbin Day, but, of course, not a second of it. And, compared to what I saw of the other three homecomings, this one was the best.

[periurban]

So, this guy is popular where you are? Seems like a nice kid. What does he do? Oh, the end of the video tells me. A singer? Yeah. That'll be it. Great video!

[kenrg]

@periurban Yep, he's a singer. Is there anything else to be?

[dinaa68]

Wonderful video thanks so much!

[kenrg]

@dinaa68 Thank you!

[MrRandomWritings]

We haven't seen it over here so I don't know his story although I watched some of the related videos - he sounds like all the other wannabes to me I am afraid. Thank God Dylan Janis and the Stones didn't have to go through this process!

[kenrg]

@MrRandomWritings Well, you've got the original Idol show there, so you're familiar with the point of the process: to find a young voice/image to put down the vocals on an album that's probably already been written and all the backing tracks recorded. In many ways, James is lucky that he finished fourth - He got enough exposure to secure a record deal, but he won't have to fit into their pop-trash mold; he'll have the opportunity to find the right producers and record a real rock-n-roll album.

[captainfury2007]

Man that is so awesome. I want a surfboard with my ugly ass on it.  Well, not ass, but... yeah.

[kenrg]

@captainfury2007 The surfboard was really cool. Of course, nobody bothered to check with James if he surfed - which he doesn't. But there's always time to learn after the tour...

[blackturtleshow]

I never heard of this guy before this video. I guess that's probably due to me not watching any television and having never watched American Idol. From what I can tell I haven't missed anything! Interesting video all the same! ;)

[kenrg]

@blackturtleshow For the most part, you haven't missed much in the ten years of so of the show. But you will hear of this kid in the coming years, and apart from Idol.

[Illuminatta]

I was rooting for James. :)

[kenrg]

@Illuminatta He was the best this season!

[Illuminatta]

@kenrg mmmm, I dunno about that. But I thought he would have been a better choice for final three than Haley (as much as I like her). I suspect the Country vote is going to be strong this year (thanks to Carrie Underwood) and Scotty will win. My favorite was Casey.

[kenrg]

@Illuminatta Casey is a brilliant musician, but I see him going more behind the scenes as a writer/producer and master-minding multiple artists.

[jrsnyderjr]

He's a good kid with talent and has overcome big obstacles...a true American story. He will get to where he wants to go. I haven't watched American Idol in a couple of years but his story (that and Steven Tyler lol) was captivating.

Good vid Ken! Enjoyed this a lot.

[kenrg]

@jrsnyderjr I started watching this season because of Steven Tyler, but once the kid from Santa Cruz became an early contender, I knew I'd hooked like never before. I was a little disappointed when he was eliminated, but I quickly recalled that Daughtry only made it to #4, and Oscar Winner Jennifer Hudson was only #3 or 4. Meanwhile, is anybody really buying any records by Taylor Hicks? James will do very well, and he'll always get a hero's welcome back in Santa Cruz.

[Perroquet51]

A nice show of support but sad that Idol has that kind of control.

[kenrg]

@Perroquet51 It would have really sucked if Idol had prevented this from happening. It's kind of silly to be caught up in "Idol fever" but he's a very nice and talented kid, who's overcome a lot of problems, and he deserves to enjoy every second of this.

[Blargaldalien]

Sad that a contestant has to sign their life away to even be part of the show AFTER they are removed.Maybe if enough people boycotted the show. No, there are tooo many fame whores who will fill the gap...

[kenrg]

@Blargaldalien Techinically, even after they're voted off the TV show, the top 10 or 12 are still on the "road show" - coming soon to a city near you. The producers are terrified that if everybody gets to see their favorite for free at homecoming events, nobody will buy tickets to the stadium shows later in the year. Pretty dumb reason to deny a city the chance to welcome home a kid everybody knows and loves.

[ASECONDCHANCEAROUND]

**Kisses**

[kenrg]

@ASECONDCHANCEAROUND Right back at ya!

[PappyStu]

Amazing these folks sell their soul and have to come and go as per direction by hollyweird!!!

Another great Docu-Vlog Compadre!

[kenrg]

@PappyStu It's a pretty strict contract, but an excellent opportunity for some talented kids (and some not-quite so talented, but good looking ones too). James is both talented and a great kid - the whole town is very proud of him.