The Amazing Story Behind James Durbin's New Santa Cruz Surfboard
Santa Cruz wanted to give him something special, but what does a broke city do?
Photos
Judi Oyama, creative director of Maximum Impact Design in Aptos, got the call Thursday, a week and two days before James Durbin was possibly coming to Santa Cruz to play a concert.
City Councilwoman Hilary Bryant didn't exactly call. She sent a message on Facebook asking the artist if she could arrange a special surfboard for the city to give Durbin as a gift. Ordinarily something like that would take weeks and cost at least $2,000, but this had to be sped through and the city had no money to pay for it.
Bryant, a surfer, and her husband, David Shuman who owns Westside Animal Hospital, donated the funds. And quickly, Santa Cruz residents donated more. Oyama said Bryant didn't even get a pass to the event. Wingnut, a famous surfer known best by that name, donated lessons for Durbin, who has never been on a board.
Brenda Scott Rogers, of Hotline Wetsuits, donated a leash and offered custom wetsuits for James and his son. Surfboard shaper Doug Haut donated his shop, a shape and machines.
"Things usually move slowly in the surfing community," said Bryant. "They really pulled it together for this."
Why did she pony up the money when the city couldn't?
"I just thought we had to do something special for him. I really wanted to do it."
While normally a job like this might be sent out of town to make screens to emblazon on the board, local artist Kevin Walsh had another unusual idea. He would draw the artwork right on the board with acrylic markers and put on a special coating to preserve it.
All was speeding along on a tight timetable, when Oyama got the call Thursday night that the concert was off.
"I told Kevin he didn't have to rush it anymore," said Oyama.
But then, Friday, another call came in: the concert was back on. That meant a screaming race to the finish, a virtual all-nighter. Kevin drew, Judi photographed and consulted. When the artist took a brief sleep, she went out and got breakfast for them at Kelley's Bakery.
They worked straight through, getting it done at 2 p.m., just in time to give it to Bryant, who raced it over to the Boardwalk for the presentation.
"These people were all so generous," said Oyama. "They really wanted to do something special for James."
Oyama and her father, Richard Oyama, took photos of the project and have a blog about it here. She also gave the pictures on the right to display.
"It couldn't have happened without a team effort," she said.
In other Durbin news: A Facebook group has been formed to try to keep him on American Idol. They want members to change their profile pictures to one of Durbin to show producers he should not have been voted off.
Nancy Galloway
6:59 pm on Monday, May 16, 2011
What an incredible gift from Santa Cruz and all the creative people involved. I was at the concert on Saturday and I was blown away when it was presented. Beautiful artwork!
Leslie J
7:01 pm on Monday, May 16, 2011
It's amazing that the city of Santa Cruz have so much admiration and support for James Durbin. It's always nice to hear positive news and for a great musician and a great mentor for kids. So heartwarming. Thank you Santa Cruz - you have a rising star in Jamis Durbin.
Vicki Ward
7:08 pm on Monday, May 16, 2011
This is awesome and well-deserved for James. The city will be proud of him for years to come. What a good feeling story! Thanks.
Kathryn Gorges
9:29 pm on Monday, May 16, 2011
Judy, as always, is awesome! As well as everyone participating in Santa Cruz -- we are definitely part of a special community :)
Jen Horst
9:55 pm on Monday, May 16, 2011
Obviously Santa Cruz is a kind and caring city! JAMES DURBIN IS A STAR!! I was so thankful to see that there is still love and kindness in our world today!!! I applaud Santa Cruz for their generosity and love that they showed this very, very talented young man!!! Appreciate FOX for doing the right thing! HOWEVER, JAMES ELIMINATION, BIG MISTAKE!!! HUGE!!!! ROCK ON JAMES!!!!! YOU ARE GONNA BE A SUPERSTAR!!!!!
Jennifer Squires
11:06 pm on Monday, May 16, 2011
Good story, Brad. What a great effort and special gift.
Mary Lundberg
7:45 am on Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Awesome Story! I Am Amazed! Santa Cruz is really showing the World who we are....and James Durbin will never forget what the Santa Cruz Community did for him...Like he said, " I was born in Santa Cruz,
I grew up in Santa Cruz, and I will always... come back to Santa Cruz"!!!....and then the Crowd Roared!
Katie McKee
9:47 am on Tuesday, May 17, 2011
terrific story.wonderful way to start my day. this is the gift james has brought to his town and to the world - people caring about each other. boy, do we need more of that! thank you, brad.
Lady
10:59 am on Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Thank you, THANK YOU, thank you, Santa Cruz for making James Durbin happy. May God bless you Mayor of Santa Cruz and team for your effort. James Durbin, I just simply love your performance. I'm not a metal or rock kind of a fan and I hope you will also consider a ballad song for your future CD so that people out there will have option TO listen to your amazing voice. Take care James and keep going,
Southernlady830
1:34 pm on Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Santa Cruz is a special community, sounds like a great place to live and visit. James is a great guy, he keeps it real. He is a great performer always geting the crowd involved. James will become very successful and it's nice to hear he will always remember his hometown!!!! Blessings James
Mary Ellen Cunningham
2:35 pm on Tuesday, May 17, 2011
This was just wonderful for you all to do for Santa Cruz City and James. I did join the facebook group to keep him on the show and changed my profile picture to one of his. I don't think this will get him back on but it was fun to show support for him. The concert was one of the best I have ever been to because it was local, joyful and peaceful. He is our hometown boy and we love him.
Roger
3:56 pm on Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Great story. I'm glad he was voted off because now he can concentrate on his Superstar career that lies ahead! Oh well, idol's loss. BTW, I didn't know it was possible to vote multipal times, hmmmmm.
D. Bourdet
5:24 pm on Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Cheers Brad for a great story..what a special day it was!!!
Brad Kava
5:58 pm on Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Thanks D.
Nancy Ann
9:11 pm on Tuesday, May 17, 2011
My family thinks James Durbin is a star and we will support his career through buying his CDs and concert tickets. Way to go Santa Cruz for welcoming a star home. James, you are the winner of AI in our minds and hearts.
The Rose Family
JoMont
10:19 am on Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Nice sentiment, but i believe that James does not surf. Musical equipment might have been more fitting. Still, I suppose any gift is nice.
Katie McKee
9:20 pm on Wednesday, May 18, 2011
A work of art to hang on his wall, a symbol of Surf City.
Judi Oyama
2:46 pm on Wednesday, May 18, 2011
James was given a Gibson guitar at the Teen Center, he signed it and gave it to the Santa Cruz Teen Center.