For more than a decade, Santa Cruz’s own James Durbin and The Lost Boys have delivered faithful, high-energy performances of rock and dance classics from music’s Golden Era, known as the 70’s and 80’s. Their setlist delivers something for every fan of music!
In 2011, Durbin finished in the Top 4 on American Idol! Since then, he’s released six solo albums and lent his voice and songwriting to a dozen more albums and singles with various bands, including Quiet Riot & Alan Parsons.
“I am very proud of being a born & raised Santa Cruz local. I’m also very proud to be a 3rd generation resident of Watsonville, as my “Oma & Opa” Shirley Settle & Dr Jim Settle, DDS raised my mom and her 3 sisters in Watsonville. I now, along with my wife Heidi, live and raise our 3 children in this great community.
James Durbin with Carolyn Barnhart.jpg
The Santa Cruz County Fair is a staple of my childhood, my Opa was a marching Tuba player in The Watsonville Band for several decades, operating the classic Deep Fried Artichoke food stand at the Fair for many years. I have so many memories of entering my collections and Lego creations and drawings into the Fair. I also know how much history the Fairgrounds holds as a concert venue back in the day, I have a handbill in my studio from a 1984 DIO & Whitesnake concert there!
It’s my pleasure to be asked to return to the Santa Cruz County Fair to perform again on its sacred Amphitheater Stage,” says Durbin.
Living alongside high-functioning Autism Spectrum Disorder and Tourette Syndrome, James is a passionate role model and advocate for individuals with disabilities. In addition to American Idol, James has appeared and/or performed on Conan, The Tonight Show, Late Night, Ellen, Live with Regis & Kelly, AXS TV’s Top Ten Revealed, Good Morning America, WWE & more. His Voice Acting credits include Amazon & Disney products for Star Wars & Frozen, as well as the voice for the “Jingle All The Way” Turbo Man electronic figure from Funko.
Welcome home to the Fair, James!
TOP IMAGE: James Durbin and The Lost Boys at the 2019 Capitola Art & Wine Festival.