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Eliminated 'American Idol' Contestant JAMES DURBIN Hopes To Work With MIKE PORTNOY

May 13, 2011

According to USA Today, James Durbin, the 22-year-old rocker from Santa Cruz, California, who was just eliminated from of "American Idol", is planning to record an album, with what he described as a "[DIO] 'Holy Diver', [BLACK SABBATH] 'Neon Nights'-type" feel. "I potentially heard my first single yesterday," he said, adding that it "still has a heavy edge and is radio friendly." He plans to reunite with a friend from home who will be his lead guitarist. He also hopes to work with Mike Portnoy from DREAM THEATER.

Durbin took to the stage on March 1 performing a cover version of the JUDAS PRIEST classic "You Got Another Thing Coming". His rendition marked the first time, according to AEROSMITH singer and "American Idol" judge Steven Tyler, where a JUDAS PRIEST single was performed on the "Idol" stage.

"That was fucking crazy good," Tyler said. "That's the first JUDAS PRIEST song on this show. I love it that you are over the top."

BLACK LABEL SOCIETY/ex-OZZY OSBOURNE guitarist Zakk Wylde joined Durbin on the "Idol" stage on April 13 to perform a rendition of Sammy Hagar's "Heavy Metal".

Video footage of both performances can be viewed below.
Durbin of Santa Cruz, California was diagnosed with both Tourette's and Asperger's syndromes as a child and lost his father to drug abuse.

Durbin who sports a faux Mohawk and who has been compared to Adam Lambert was one of the final 24 contestants (12 men, 12 women) vying for the "American Idol" crown.

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