-
James Durbin: ‘I Never Wanted to Be the Sex, Drugs, Rock ‘n’ Roll Rock Star’
It’s been an amazing year for James Durbin. The vocalist rose to fame during season 10 of American Idol, continually spouting the phrase “give metal a chance.” After American Idol wrapped for the season, Durbin landed a record deal with Wind-up and began crafting his debut album, Memories of a Beautiful Disaster.
Now, Durbin is ready to take his show on the road, walk the black carpet at the Golden Gods and serve as a role model for kids.
Durbin will serve as a spokesperson for the be a STAR Alliance, an anti-bullying initiative, co-founded by The Creative Coalition and WWE. Durbin is a rabid wrestling fan so the partnership makes sense. Living with Asperger’s and Tourette’s Syndrome and being relentlessly bullied while in school helps Durbin relate to kids on a personal level.
“I flew down to Miami and did two be a STAR events with WWE superstars at middle schools in Miami Dade county and it was absolutely incredible,” Durbin tells Noisecreep of his recent stop in Florida. “You show up, these kids know who you are and they idolize you. It’s so great to be a role model to these kids. They are so bright-eyed and bushy-tailed. It feels really good because you know there’s people out there who have let them down… they are being told our stories and we’re there telling them that if they are being bullied now, it’s not the end of the world and it’s not the rest of your life. We’re going to put an end to it… there’s a light on the horizon.”
In addition to his work with the be a STAR Alliance, Durbin speaks out about living with Asperger’s and Tourette’s in the documentary, Different is the New Normal: Living a Life with Tourette’s. The 60 minute film tells the story of 17-year-old Ariel Small, a Chicago teen living with Tourette’s Syndrome. Small reveals the highs and lows of his life… and gets to interview James Durbin in the process. Durbin explains that his management was approached about the film… and when he learned of Ariel’s story, he had help.
“After I was told his story… it basically represented who I was and everything I had gone through,” explains Durbin. “Some of the things were pinpointed exactly what happened to me, happened to him. It was a no-brainer. I had to be a part of it. With whatever celebrity I’ve been given from Idol, I’m fortunate that I can put it to good use and inspire people. I never wanted to be the sex, drugs, rock n’ roll rock star. That typical sleaze bag. It’s about the music for me. It’s deeper than being a persona. I love to play music and it’s what I do to support myself and my family. For guys like Ariel who respect that … I’m just a boy with a dream and so is he.”
Revolver Magazine nominated Durbin for a “best vocalist” Golden God award. He’s up against Sebastian Bach, Andy Biersack (Black Veil Brides), Amy Lee (Evanescence),Ivan Moody (Five Finger Death Punch) and Jonathan Davis (Korn). He will also present during the April 11 ceremony.
The next day, on April 12, Durbin will return to the American Idol stage for a special performance. While he wasn’t allowed to reveal the song choice, he did drop a few hints.
“I’m honestly surprised about what song we’re doing, I’m very happy about it. I didn’t think it was going to be able to happen like this… it’s going to be big and make a splash and that’s what we’re excited about. It’s rock n’ roll. It doesn’t matter if it’s American Idol or anything else– we’re still gonna bring it just as much as if we were anywhere else.”
Durbin and his band will also hit the road this month and will provide support forBuckcherry on certain stops. You can also catch James Durbin live at Rock on the Range in Columbus, Ohio on May 20.
Tour dates:
April 12 Los Angeles, CA The Viper Room
April 17 Austin, TX Stubbs w/Evanescence
Apr 18 Corpus Christi, TX Brewster St. Ice House
April 21 Lubbock, TX Xfest – radio show – pavilion stage at Lonestar Amp
Apr 24 Odessa, TX Dos Amigos *
Apr 25 Houston, TX Warehouse Live *
Apr 26 Little Rock, AR Juanita’s *
Apr 27 St Louis, MO Pops Nite Club *
Apr 28 Concho, OK Lucky Star Casino *
May 3 Panama City, FL Club LaVela *
May 5 Miami, OK Buffalo Run Casino *
May 11 Clear Lake, IA Surf Ballroom *
May 16 Winston Salem, NC Ziggys *
May 17 Baltimore, MD The Power Plant Live *
May 18 Huntington, NY Paramount *May 19 Santa Cruz, CA Beach Boardwalk
May 20 Columbus, OH Rock On The Range
May 21 Clifton Park, NY Northern Lights *
May 23 Knoxville, TN Valarium *
May 24 Biloxi, MS Hard Rock Live *
May 27 Carlsbad, NM Walter Gerels PAC ** are performances with Buckcherry
Follow James on Twitter and Facebook, and www.DurbinRock.com.
-
-
About
Different Is the New Normal tracks the trials and triumphs of Ariel Small, a 17 year old high school student who has struggled with uncontrollable tics caused by Tourette Syndrome. With his permission, Ariel’s mother Robin turned the camera on him to document their emotional journey to overcome the obstacles of Tourette’s in order to raise awareness about the disorder and help others living with the condition. Along the way, Ariel meets James Durbin, American Idol finalist, whose own battle with Tourette’s makes him realize that anything is possible.
Different is the New Normal is narrated by Michael J. Fox.
-
Articles and Interviews
May 20 | Fox News – ‘Idol’ finalist James Durbin and Chicago high schooler pair up for Tourette’s documentary
May 24 | WUSF – Different is the New Normal: Living a Life with Tourette’s
May 2012 | HLN News – Thriving with Tourrette Syndrome – Different is the New Normal
May 7, 2012 | Fox News – ‘American Idol’ finalist has Tourette Syndrome
May 5, 2012 | Homemade Mom – Different is the New Normal. Wanna be inspired? Read on…
May 3, 2012 | New York Post – Starr Report
April 9, 2012 | NoiseCreep – James Durbin: ‘I Never Wanted to Be the Sex, Drugs, Rock ‘n’ Roll Rock Star
April 5, 2012 | Public Television – Different is the New Normal Powerful Documentary About Inspiring Teen Takes Aim at the Stigma of Tourette Syndrome
January 13, 2012 | NBC Chicago – Documentary Aims to Bust Stigma of Tourette’s
November, 2011 | Tourette Syndrome Association of Illinois Inc – PBS Documentary, Different is the New Normal: Living Life with Tourette’s
November 8, 2011 | Chicago Tribune – A different kind of documentary: Homegrown portrait of area student with Tourette syndrome on cusp of national exposure
November 3, 2011 | Chicago Tonight – Different Is The New Normal
November 3, 2011 | WTTW Chicago Tonight – “Different is the New Normal”Documentary on Tourette Syndrome
November 2, 2011 | INSPIREme Chicago – Different is the New Normal
October, 2011 | My Fox Chicago – Highland Park High School Senior Ariel Small Discusses Tourette’s Syndrome
October 27, 2011 WTTW – Powerful Documentary About Chicago Teen Takes Aim at the Stigma of Tourette’s Syndrome
September 13, 2011 | The TS Blog – New Documentary on Tourette Syndrome to Premier
September 7, 2011 | NY Metro Parents – A New Documentary on Tourette Syndrome Discusses the Stigmas, Myths, and Misconceptions about the Disorder
December 1, 2010 | Chicago Tribune Local – Extraordinary Illinois Family, Ariel, David and Robin Small, Honored in New York City by the National Tourette Syndrome Association
January 10, 2010 | ABC Local – Teen leads fight against Tourette Syndrome
April 29, 2009 | Chicago Tribune – Highland Park athlete details struggles and triumphs with Tourette syndrome
-
Press Release
THIRTEEN demystifies the stigma of Tourette syndrome in Different Is the New Normal on September 15, 2011
Featuring James Durbin of American Idol who inspired the film title, this moving portrait captures the courage and triumph of Ariel Small, a teen with Tourette’s.
Ariel Small grew up in suburban Chicago with four siblings and loving parents. However, as Ariel grew older his parents noticed something different. His behavior became more and more alarming. Premiering on Thursday, September 15 at 8 p.m. (ET) on THIRTEEN and Tuesday, September 27 at 10:30 p.m. (ET) on WLIW21, Different Is the New Normal tracks trials and triumphs of Ariel Small, a 17-year-old who has struggled with uncontrollable tics caused by Tourette Syndrome – and others’ intolerance and misperceptions about it – throughout his life. Edie Magnus narrates. After broadcast, the one-hour documentary will be available for national audience for a limited time at watch.thirteen.org. The film is a presentation of Creative News Group in association with WNET New York Public Media, the parent company of THIRTEEN and WLIW21, New York’s public television stations and operator of NJTV. For nearly 50 years, WNET has been producing and broadcasting national and local documentaries and other programs for the New York community.
Produced, directed and written by John Block and produced, edited and cinematography by Matt Wechsler, Different Is the New Normal reveals an acutely personal first-hand account of Tourette’s through the eyes of Ariel Small. With his permission, his mother Robin turned the camera on him to document their emotional journey to overcome the obstacles of Tourette’s in order to raise awareness about the disorder and help others living with the condition. Along the way, Ariel meets James Durbin, American Idol finalist, whose own battle with Tourette’s make him realize that anything is possible.
“Different Is the New Normal captures the pain and frustration many parents and their children experience,” said Neal Shapiro, WNET’s President and CEO. “Ariel’s inspirational story provides an uplifting perspective to this often misunderstood disorder, and will inspire everyone who watches this film to think about people as individuals, not as labels.”
According to the Tourette Syndrome Association (TSA), Tourette’s (TS) affects an estimated 200,000 people in the United States. It is a neurobiological disorder characterized by involuntary and repetitive physical and vocal tics. Yet, Tourette’s remains one of the most publicly misunderstood disorders. Like most people, the Smalls had the preconceived notion of Tourette’s stereotypical symptoms such as compulsive outbursts of obscenities. Ariel exhibits none of these traits. This behavior belongs to a rare form of TS called coprolalia that affects only a small percentage of Tourette’s patients. Once the diagnosis settled in, Ariel and his family embarked on a life-changing journey to change the social stigma of the disease.
One of the disabling aspects of the disorder is the internal mental tics that disrupt daily functions. Another is the constant need to prove one’s disability in order to receive the education and legal rights for those with Tourette’s. Remarkably, Ariel overcame his differences and became a Youth Ambassador for the TSA to advocate, educate and validate the disorder. As an ambassador, Ariel crossed paths with many people with Tourette’s having a productive career and a fulfilling life. Among those profiled is singer James Durbin who was relentlessly bullied due to his tics. In a revealing conversation between Ariel and the American Idol contender, Durbin tells Ariel “Different is the new normal.”
Major support for Different Is the New Normal is provided by David and Robin Small. Executive Producer is Robin Small. Producer, Director and Writer is John Block. Producer, Editor, and Cinematographer is Matt Wechsler. Composer is David Varga. Narrator is Edie Magnus. For WNET’s Creative News Group, General Manager is Mary Lockhart. Executive-in-Charge is Stephen Segaller.
###
About the Filmmakers:
John Block is an Emmy award-winning television magazine and documentary producer/writer who, for more than a quarter century, worked for NBC NEWS. He left NBC to pursue making documentary films. He is a former Guggenheim Fellowship recipient. This is his first film for WNET.Matt Wechsler is an award winning director, cinematographer and editor who founded Hourglass Films in 2009. His passion for film began at an early age; completing his first documentary at age 17 and his first narrative film two years later. Matt currently focuses on commercial, documentary and narrative productions.
About WNET New York Public Media
WNET is America’s flagship public media outlet, bringing quality arts, education and public affairs programming to over 5 million viewers each week. The parent company of public television stations THIRTEEN and WLIW21 and operator of NJTV, WNET produces such acclaimed PBS series as Great Performances, American Masters, Nature, Need to Know, Charlie Rose, Tavis Smiley and a range of documentaries, children’s programs, and local news and cultural offerings available on air and online. Pioneers in educational programming, WNET has created such groundbreaking series as Get the Math, Noah Comprende and Cyberchase and provides tools for educators that bring compelling content to life in the classroom and at home. WNET highlights the tri-state’s unique culture and diverse communities through SundayArts, Reel 13, NJ Today and the new online newsmagazine MetroFocus. -
Purchase DVD
The DVD Collection includes:
Disc 1: Different is the New Normal documentary
Disc 2: Special Features DVD including:
- A one hour interview with James Durbin, American Idol finalist from season 10
- Additional interview clips from Dr. John Walkup, Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist & Dr. Christopher Goetz, Neurologist
- Ariel’s visit with 14-year-old Patrick Resh regarding his experience with Tourett’es Syndrome
- Official Trailer
Discounts for Non-profit organizations are also available. Contact info@differentisthenewnormal.com for more information. -
Reviews
September 15, 2011 | Blogcritics.org – Documentary Review: Different is the New Normal: Living a Life with Tourette’s
September 13, 2011 | WNET – Different is the New Normal: A Q&A with Ariel and Robin Small
September 19, 2011 | Abledbody.com – Film Shows Tourette’s Can’t Thwart Teen’s Dreams
September 15, 2011 | Kirsten Coachman – Documentary Review: Different is the New Normal: Living a Life with Tourette’s
September, 2011 | National Tourette Syndrome Association – New York City Viewers Tune in Thursday, September 15 for a new documentary about Tourette Syndrome
September, 2011 | Brad Cohen Tourette Foundation – New Documentary on Tourette Syndrome to Premier Thursday, September 15th
September, 2011 | About.com – Different Is The New Normal – Movie Review
-
Schedule
Scheduled air times as of May 9th through June 9th, 2012
Station Date Time Market WLIW 5/16/2012 7:00 PM ET New York WLIW 5/17/2012 5:00 AM ET New York WLIW 5/19/2012 3:00 PM ET New York WNET 5/20/2012 7:00 PM ET New York WNJB 5/22/2012 10:00 PM ET New York WNJB 5/24/2012 4:00 AM ET New York WNJTV 5/22/2012 10:00 PM ET New York WNJTV 5/24/2012 4:00 AM ET New York WTTW 5/21/2012 10:00 PM CT Chicago WTTW 5/24/2012 3:30 AM CT Chicago WTTW 5/22/2012 4:00 PM CT Chicago WNJS 5/22/2012 10:00 PM ET Philadelphia WNJS 5/24/2012 4:00 AM ET Philadelphia WNJT 5/22/2012 10:00 PM ET Philadelphia WNJT 5/24/2012 4:00 AM ET Philadelphia KTEH 5/20/2012 11:00 PM PT San Francisco KTEH 5/21/2012 5:00 AM PT San Francisco KQED 5/20/2012 11:00 PM PT San Francisco KQED 5/21/2012 5:00 AM PT San Francisco WHUT 5/18/2012 8:00 PM ET Washington WHUT 5/19/2012 12:00 AM ET Washington WHUT 5/20/2012 10:00 PM ET Washington WHUT 5/21/2012 3:00 AM ET Washington WHUT 5/18/2012 8:00 PM ET Washington WHUT 5/19/2012 12:00 AM ET Washington WHUT 5/20/2012 10:00 PM ET Washington WHUT 5/21/2012 3:00 AM ET Washington KAET 5/16/2012 8:00 PM MT Phoenix WUSF 5/23/2012 1:00 AM ET Tampa WUSF 5/24/2012 10:00 PM ET Tampa WUSF 5/25/2012 1:00 AM ET Tampa WUSF 5/25/2012 4:00 AM ET Tampa WUSF 5/25/2012 10:00 AM ET Tampa WUSF 5/25/2012 1:00 PM ET Tampa WUSF 5/25/2012 4:00 PM ET Tampa KWCM 5/31/2012 9:00 PM CT Minneapolis WLRN 5/17/2012 10:00 PM ET Miami WLRN 5/18/2012 4:00 AM ET Miami KBDI 5/24/2012 12:00 AM MT Denver WVIZ 5/20/2012 2:00 PM ET Cleveland WVIZ 5/22/2012 3:00 AM ET Cleveland WVIZ 5/23/2012 5:00 AM ET Cleveland WVIZ 5/25/2012 2:00 AM ET Cleveland WQED 5/21/2012 10:00 PM ET Pittsburgh WIPB 5/31/2012 9:00 PM ET Indianapolis WPBY 5/29/2012 8:00 PM ET Charleston, WV WCMU 5/27/2012 2:30 PM ET Flint-Saginaw WCMZ 5/27/2012 2:30 PM ET Flint-Saginaw KSMN 5/31/2012 9:00 PM CT Siouz Falls, SD KFME 5/31/2012 9:00 PM CT Fargo-Valley City KJRE 5/31/2012 9:00 PM CT Fargo-Valley City KCGE 5/31/2012 9:00 PM CT Fargo-Valley City KMDE 5/31/2012 9:00 PM CT Fargo-Valley City WCMV 5/27/2012 2:30 PM ET Traverse City WCMW 5/27/2012 2:30 PM ET Traverse City KTNW 5/23/2012 12:00 AM PT Yakima, WA KTNW 5/24/2012 9:00 PM PT Yakima, WA KTNW 5/28/2012 12:30 AM PT Yakima, WA KQET 5/20/2012 11:00 PM PT Monterey-Salinas KQET 5/21/2012 5:00 AM PT Monterey-Salinas KENW 5/31/2012 8:00 PM MT Amarillo WQLN 5/20/2012 2:00 PM ET Erie KBME 5/31/2012 9:00 PM CT Minot-Bismarck KDSE 5/31/2012 9:00 PM CT Minot-Bismarck KSRE 5/31/2012 9:00 PM CT Minot-Bismarck KWSE 5/31/2012 9:00 PM CT Minot-Bismarck KSMQ 5/29/2012 9:00 PM CT Rochester, MN WSWP 5/29/2012 8:00 PM ET Bluefield-Beckley WNPB 5/29/2012 8:00 PM ET Clarksburg-Weston WNMU 5/20/2012 4:00 PM ET Marquette WCML 5/27/2012 2:30 PM ET Alpena -
Trailer
Click to view trailer -
Filmmakers
John Block is an Emmy award-winning television magazine and documentary producer/writer who, for more than a quarter century, worked for NBC NEWS. He left NBC to pursue making documentary films. He is a former Guggenheim Fellowship recipient.
Matt Wechsler is an award winning director, cinematographer and editor who started making movies when he was 10 years old. He worked for his father’s video production company throughout high school and completed his first documentary at age 17. Matt went on to produce and direct his first narrative film when he was 19 and continued his passion for film making throughout college. In 2009, after working professionally in his father’s production company for 7 years, Matt branched off on his own to start Hourglass Films. He currently focuses on commercial, documentary and narrative productions.
-
Links
-
Contact
For Email Marketing you can trustContact Hourglass Films at (847) 804-7707 or hourglassfilms@gmail.com
Share a comment: