Arts & Entertainment
James Durbin Signs Record Deal with Wind-up Records
The New York-based label is home to mainstream acts, including Creed, Finger Eleven, Evanescence and O.A.R.
Santa Cruz's American Idol finalist, James Durbin, has signed a recording deal with New York's Wind-up records, he and the label reported Tuesday on their websites.
Durbin says his new album will be released in November, in time for the big Christmas-buying season.
“We loved James on Idol," said Wind-up Entertainment CEO Edward Vetri on his site. "We thought he was the standout performer from this season. His passion for rock music made him a natural fit for Wind-up Records.”
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Wind-up's biggest artist, Evanescence, sold 17 million copies of its first disc, "Fallen," in 2003. It helped the label become the biggest independently owned record producer today.
Durbin, 22, was brought up in Santa Cruz, starred in children's musical theater plays and attended Musicscool Santa Cruz on a scholarship, before getting his break on Idol's 10th season.
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He placed fourth but was allowed to play a concert in his hometown, a prize normally given to only the top three contenders.
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