James Durbin - Homecoming Pictures

Buy tickets to American Idol Live! And see James Durbin and the other top 11 contestants perform live on stage this summer.

A huge crowd of about 30,000 people came to watch James Durbin perform on Saturday, May 14, 2011 in his hometown of Santa Cruz, California. James gave a free concert at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk for all his fans that came to watch him live.

James used to work at a Domino’s Pizza in Capitola, he was laid before he took his chance with American Idol. It was his second attempt at “Idol”. He auditioned for season 8 but did not make it. Heidi, his girlfriend convinced him to give it another try and he auditioned for season 10 in San Francisco. James went from being unemployed to becoming a nationwide star after a few months on American Idol where he finished in fourth place.

James Durbin, his fiance Heidi and son Hunter

James took time to meet with kids in performing arts at the Louden Nelson Center where he signed autographs.

James Durbin sat in a Mustang convertible with Heidi behind the Santa Cruz High School marching band which led the procession from downtown to the Boardwalk. Then James hoped on a jeep to reach the beach where the concert would take place. James sang "Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow" by The Shirelles, "Don't Stop Believing" by Journey, and finally "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" by The Beatles.

James is working on his first solo album which he hopes to release this coming winter. He also has big life plans. He is engaged to Heidi and they plan to get married this summer after the American Idol tour.

James Durbin and his son Hunter

Photo Credit: Kevin Johnson/Sentinel

James was very emotional because after his elimination he thought he would not get a chance to come home like the top 3 because as an eliminated contestant he would have other commitments related to the show. However the people who had already planned his homecoming insisted with the show to allow him to come home and James was fortunate enough to benefit from an exceptional permission to go back home in spite of his elimination. Truly James Durbin is Santa Cruz’ Idol.

It's 'James Durbin Year' in Santa Cruz and James received a surfboard with an image of the young singer performing on it. James was born in Santa Cruz and he lived all his life.