I’ll be live-blogging/transcribing the James Durbin reporters satellite conference call in this space! It begins at 12:30 pm ET. Plus, check out post-boot interviews from around the net:
James Dubin’s post-boot interview with Entertainment Weekly
Conference Call Live blog
James Durbin wants to bring metal back to popular music! Good luck with that dude.
What was going through his mind when his name was called, “It’s been a whirlwind of emotions. I’ve been thinking about why I came on the show. I’m brought back to those feelings. It’s for my family–to try and give a voice to a genre of music that is slowly fading away. I accomplished a lot on the show. I’m really grateful for the opportunity.”
Celebrities who have reached out, “I became good friends with Chris Jericho who was on Dancing With The Stars because we filmed at the same studio. I’ve been a wrestling fan since I was 12. He’s been one of my favorites. We could talk about singing and wrestling. He’s a singer in a metal band. It really worked out.”
How working with Kids on Broadway Theater as a child helped him, “One of the things that comes with Asperger’s is social awkwardness–I had a lot of it. Being in that theater organization, being around people constantly helped with that. One performance to he next was a complete 360 of my attitude. I was able to talk to people and hold a conversation and not get really emotional before the performances. I and everyone else noticed a real change.”
On meeting girlfriend Heidi, “When I was 4 and Heidi was 13 our moms were friends at church. She watch me–and I had a play date with her younger sister. I was singing karaoke, and she was at the restaurant for a going away party for one of the managers and we crossed paths. I was singing, and she dug the song. I didn’t remember her, but I wanted to. Got her number, called her but hung up, cause I was nervous. It just took off from there. She is my saving grace, my guardian angel. At that point I was 19 and living at my mom’s house. No job. No car. No money. No license. No diploma. I was about as low as you can get. I met her and everything changed. I wanted to be a better person. Behind every successful man, there is an amazing, amazing woman.”
What actor would he like to play him in a movie? PAUSE. “I don’t know, I think I would want to play myself. I don’t want to sound conceited or anything. Maybe Matt Damon. I was told I kind of look like Matt Damon. Steven Segal can play me as an old man. When I was a kid I had my hair dyed black and I had it long down to my shoulders. I pulled it back into a pony tail. I always got told I looked like Steven Segal.”
Best piece of advice, “Don’t hold back, just roll with it, keep giving it everything. Randy said this is your competition to lose. I felt like I’m going out on top. Wednesday I had two of my best performances of my entire life. They were both very consistent…both pinpoint perfect. I’m my own biggest critic. I shut myself up on that one. I was really proud of myself and really excited to see what was next and go home for that Top 3 but not everything works out as expected.”
How does it feel to share your emotions with America, “I’ve gone through so many changes throughout the show. Idol has really helped me change. I’ve never been business savvy. I got to let loose and get into my stage manager/production thing. Every single one of my stage performances was all me. I wrote it, I drew out a story board for everything. Every performance had an idea. I just ran with it. I’m happy. It sounds cliche, but I feel with the amount of stuff that I’ve done, I really did what I wanted to do. I came in and put my foot straight through the door.”
People in the Metal world he’d like to work with, ” Mike Portnoy from Dream Theater. I talked to him, I got to meet him. I asked him if he’d be down for anything. He said ‘absolutely’. Zakk Wylde, again. I have a little secret weapon back home. My best friend back home–I asked him to be my guitarist for anything post-Idol. We have a plan to bring back great front men and their lead guitarists. Amazing metal duos. For some reason it seems like it stopped. We want to bring that back.”
Going out 4th like Chris Daughtry (who said he was glad he didn’t win-it would have taken away his cred), “That makes plenty of sense, but winning would have been great too. First instinct when you’re up there and Ryan says ‘You’re going home’. First instinct is ‘Gosh I wanted to win so badly. I failed.’ But thinking about it, I haven’t failed at all. This is just the beginning. It’s like a roller coaster. Idol is still clicking up the track before it drops down into the craziness. I’m still clicking up the track. I can really appreciate now–and I’ll figure it out some more in the coming days–it’s still emotional. Getting to work is exciting. I’m really stoked.”
How did his conditions (asperger’s and touretts) affect him off stage? – “When I was a kid I took medication. When I was about 16 I decided ‘I’m not going to let a man-made substance control me.’ God made me a certain way, and I’m perfect in his eyes. I’m going to run with it and I’m going to be me. I’ve been looked at funny, and I don’t care. I’m a freak. Different is the new normal. If you’re not different, you’re not in.”
Record deals? “Who knows? Expect the unexpected. That’s what I wish I would have done Thursday night. We’re still going with the flow on the show. We get to write stuff and figure out that sort of thing. Yesterday I heard my potential first single, but that doesn’t signify that there’s a contract” [Somebody sent him a song and he really likes it-heavy but radio friendly].
What would his record sound like “It’s got to have a real throwback feel. All Marshalls, Les Paul. My guitarist is a total shredder and he’s amazing. We’re going to force it on the airwaves. It’s no joke. We feel strongly about our music. It seems like its dying out. That just can’t happen. It was taken off the list for Grammys. We’ve got to find a way to get it out there. We’ve got to take another door. I’m really excited to collaborate with people and work with different songwriters and musicians. It’s going to be totally awesome.”
Was he blindsided “I definitely was. There was something off with the kentic energy of everyone in the studio yesterday. I felt it off of people’s body language. Not that people knew–there was a real somber feeling. I was kinda caught up with it. I freaked out a little bit before the show started. I just knew it.”
Plans for the finale, “Once again…expect the unexpected.”
His family’s reaction, “I didn’t get to see him last night [his son]. When I was standing up there, I kept looking at Heidi and trying to reassure her. Looking back, what’s the whole reason I auditioned in the first place? It’s because we couldn’t afford diapers. I don’t think I’m ever going to have to worry about affording diapers now.”
First thing he did after cameras stopped rolling, “I thanked all of the crew and hugged everybody–the band and the crew. Those are the people who put on the show–it’s not possible without them. It’s not just emotion because of getting eliminated…I see those people everyday, they’re like our friends. We don’t get to see them anymore. It was a rough night. I wasn’t expecting it. I’m running off adrenaline.” [He got about a half hour of sleep last night]
Who is he pulling for in the finale, “I’m closest with all the guys, really. Stefano is going to be my best man at my wedding. Paul is going to be one of my groomsmen. We had a little jam band with myself, Paul, Casey and Stefano. We won’t go there. It was just fun, hanging out singing silly songs. Boys stuff. Songs about boogers, that sort of thing. I have a feeling about who might take it. At this point, you can’t really choose.”
Why does he think he was eliminated? “I don’t know. It’s kind of funny. I’ve been waiting for someone to ask me this question all morning. Chris Jericho is on Dancing with the Stars–big metal head, singer in a metal band, a pro-wrestler. The last song that he danced to before his elimination was “Don’t Stop Believing.” “Don’t Stop Believing” eliminated James Durbin, Chris Jericho and Tony Soprano.”
Closing remarks: “I’m really really excited. It’s been a whirlwind of emotion. I’ve only just begun. I feel I’ve been given something special and I’ve been given this great opportunity. to run with it and bring a voice to a new generation. Maybe it’s bringing a voice from an old generation to this generation. I hope I can bring a little bit of that into the picture. I’m really ecstatic, excited to see what happens at the finale, excited to see who wins this, really excited for the tour. I encourage anybody out there who can’t get enough of us to buy a ticket to the tour, because it’s going to be amazing. I might have to run away from security a couple of nights and jump the guard rail and jump into the crowd. Expect the unexpected.”
GIVE METAL A CHANCE! GIVE METAL A CHANCE! – James last words.
Good Day New York
‘Idol’ James Durbin Voted Off Show: MyFoxNY.com
FOX Philly
American Idol’s James Durbin Bids Adieu: MyFoxPHILLY.com
FOX Chicago
James Durbin: ‘American Idol’ Elimination Emotional: MyFoxCHICAGO.com
FOX Boston
American Idol: James Durbin voted off: MyFoxBOSTON.com
Good Day LA
