James Durbin Out!

James Durbin has left the building. "Yes" the rumor is true, he's vacated the role of Quiet Riot frontman. 

Durbin joined the veteran heavy hard rock band in March 2017. Formed in 1973, Quiet Riot had its biggest hit on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1983 with “Cum on Feel the Noize,” a cover of Slade’s 1973 U.K. hit. The Quiet Riot version peaked at No. 5 on the Hot 100.

As you recall Durbin also made a not so Quiet Riot of his own when he was placed fourth on Season 10 of American Idol.

Evolving is a part of life, when the time comes to do other things, you know it and had better pay attention to your inner voice. James told Entertain Me about his not being with the band - 

"I'm proud of and grateful for my time in Quiet Riot, but I'm really looking forward to releasing a new EP in early 2020, and working on various new projects. Including Voice Over acting for Disney/Star Wars: "Choose Your Destiny" 

My hometown rock cover band The Lost Boys and California country band Homeland Revival. As well as any new opportunities that come my way."

Best wishes buddy and "May the force be with you" always.

Durbin on IG -
https://www.instagram.com/jamesdurbinofficial/?hl=en   

Michael's Musings

I'm Taking A Ride With...
Michael Shinafelt

It's Thursday and it's my time again. This week has been an interesting one. It made me contemplate about the things that drive me.

Well they are different from day to day, much like all of you I am sure. One day my focus is pushing myself further, other times it's lust, love, money or physical improvement. There is always of course peace with ones self which is the ultimate goal.

Oh, and sometimes I feel like Janet Leigh and go a little bit Psycho, and am the road to nowhere - hence the T-Shirt in the image this week. I know my skin images are much more popular on here, flesh will be returning next week. This week I decided to have some fun with an Instagram app this one.

Summary: Everything that drives me and all of you is random day to day, like this column. It's time let's play!

My refrigerator swings both ways

Cornrows are an important part of our diet

I know tongue talk

Truce? Now let's have some calamari

Justin Bieber cancelled his tour because he found God. Those wacky pot heads.

"Can't Get Enough" the latest video from Quiet Riot now fronted by American Idol alumni James Durbin, thoughts?

Kathy Griffin's house is up for sale. Karma.

Bigotry, just say no

When you wish upon a...fill in the blank

Brie is life! Don't judge me.

Traci Lords is on a roll!

Always remember a glass of Cabernet is always the key to victory

Drive with me at:
https://www.instagram.com/michaelshinafelt/?hl=en
https://twitter.com/MShinafelt    

Michael's Musings

Motley Crue
l-r Shauna Waters, Me, Lindley Waters & Kelly Waters

Since this will be my thoughts and impressions going into Christmas I thought to myself that I may try to curtail any cynicism I may be possessed by at present by posting an image of me and my three angels aka my nieces from Christmas two years ago in my home state of Washington. 

Like that will ever happen, yep get ready because here I come!!!

When I was a kid I used to think the red light flashing on a nearby radio tower was Rudolph's nose, yes really.

Parents teach their kids not to lie, yet they perpetuate the myth of Santa Claus. How many children has that fucked up?!

A virgin birth, yeah right.

What did I do for my Birthday? So glad you asked. I had a wonderful lunch with my friend Mike Clifford and an even better dessert later, not Mike...Yes, Daddy has a secret.

Lunch Time!
Me & Mike Clifford

Pentatonix has a new Christmas album out. It's what they do best.

Riot On Sunset by my buddy James Durbin is another album I highly recommend.

Taking myself to see La La Land today, in case you are interested.

My niece Shauna Waters pictured above is getting married in Cabo in June, and to think I knew her when she...

Kelly Waters, my other niece pictured is an accomplished make-up artist, so proud of her.

Now let's talk about my niece Lindley Waters, also pictured above. She now calls Berlin her home base. I want to come visit you my spirit animal! Let's go hang gliding grrrrrrrrrrrl! 

Elf on a Shelf is so tired ass, I move we shift our attention to the Whore in a Drawer. Doesn't that sound a lot more merry???

Due to the PC movement Christmas can no longer be referred to as "White" 

Tis' the season for back door crack whores

I love Lady Gaga's song A-Yo, did you know it's about smoking pot?!

My gift to you is me on Social Media. You can keep tabs on me at the following WWW addresses. Merry Christmas! 

https://twitter.com/MShinafelt

https://www.instagram.com/michaelshinafelt/  

Holiday Cheer With James Durbin

Ho, Ho, Ho!
James, Heidi, Hunter & Kinzee Durbin w/Santa Claus

Hey Durbinators, it's Christmas Time! Do you ever sit and wonder what your "Idol" James Durbin does this time of year? Well I know the answer to that...

Of course you do! Here to tell you what the Durbin family does for December 25th is, well who else other than James himself!!!

MS: What is your family Christmas tradition?

JD: The last few years we’ve gone and chopped down our own tree as a family.

There’s a great tree farm in the Santa Cruz mountains called Crest Ranch Tree Farm that we’ve made a tradition of going to. We also ride the Holiday Lights Train as guests of Santa Claus, so it’s extra special.

MS: Do you or Heidi play Santa Claus?

JD: We could never “play” the big man in red..(wink,nudge).

We do enjoy the extra element of surprise at Christmas time.

MS: Can you tell us what you got for Heidi?

JD: I can’t tell you lol. Though I can say, we’ve been getting into minimalism lately and have agreed to get each other one thing that we really really want. Something that will serve us well and bring us joy. Ya know, not just a bunch of crap hahaha.

MS: If you could give a gift to all those Durbinators out there what would it be?

JD: The gift I can give is just more honest music. I’ve got a new project I’m recording in Vegas this January that I believe will make my rock n rollers extremely happy. More details to come :)

MS: What does James Durbin want for Christmas most of all? 

JD: This year I just want to stay home, open presents, watch movies and not have to put on pants.

PS If you haven't gotten your copy of James' current album Riot On Sunset that would make an awesome Christmas gift. Take it from Santa Michael, it's his best to date! Ho, Ho, Ho!

"Riot" on iTunes: 
https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/riot-on-sunset/id1132264028

James on Social Media:
https://www.facebook.com/DurbinRock/
https://twitter.com/DurbinRock
https://www.instagram.com/durbinrock/    

Welcome Back, Durbin!

James Durbin left a lasting impression placing fourth on season ten of American Idol. Not only because he was one of the few contestants who performed rock to perfection, he was the only contestant ever on the show to have autism.

His debut album the rock oriented Memories of a Beautiful Disaster was a hit, which was followed up with the pop flavored album Celebrate, which was a departure from what Durbinators were hungry to hear from their idol. 

Well James is back and ready to rock with his first new music in over two years Riot On Sunset. 

In my opinion this is James best work as an artist to date mainly because the music is 100% pure Durbin. Durbinators rejoice, here's James!

JD: Hey Michael, how's it going?

MS: Fine, I love your latest Riot On Sunset, after Celebrate it's great to hear you rocking out again!

JD: Not to take anything away from Celebrate it's a great album. But it's more of a studio album and it's not something that I like to play live too much. It still holds up, it's just not a James Durbin album necessarily.

MS: I was going to ask how you felt about it, and you beat me to it. (laughs) Are you still going to experiment with different types of music in the future?

Ready To Riot
James Durbin
Photo: Heidi Durbin

JD: Yes. I am influenced by a wide array of music genres and artists. Everything from James Brown, Maroon 5 to Judas Priest. You might even find a Bieber track on my iTunes. (laughs) It's different songs for different reasons. The Bieber song in question has incredible production. As far as the kind of music I am making now, I am definitely back in my comfort zone. 

MS: My favorite song off of Riot On Sunset is the title track. Was that inspired by your performing at the The Viper Room?

JD: You know I actually wrote that song when I was twenty. Probably a good year and a half before all the "Idol" stuff happened. I had started a band with some friends called Hollywood Scars and I was looking up different things about the Sunset Strip I wanted to embody that in a song. That ended up being Riot On Sunset which was an actual event that happened in the 1960's basically it was about kids wanting to have freedom of expression, to be yourself whether "the man" has anything to say about it or not. I kept pushing for the song to be on my other two albums and the label kept saying it's not good, we don't like it, it's not going on your album. When I was in Nashville working on my second album with James Michael, we had a talk about it, he said to me: "This is one of those songs that you write once in your lifetime, it's on of those songs that comes from somewhere else." That message spoke to me to open myself up to letting songs pass through me. 

MS: Seriously?! I can't believe the label said those things to you about that song.

JD: There ended up being a struggle with it actually, after I left the label. They were going to keep it and not give it back to me. It fell in with my publishing deal with them. The fact that somebody can say they own a song that they don't think is good enough to go on a record is just stupid. We fought really hard and that's the one thing I got out of my termination deal with the label. This incident falls right in line with the story and vibe of the song, standing up for what you believe in, regardless of the fact that somebody tells you "No."

Photo: Heidi Durbin

MS: Your single Smackdown is doing really well, congratulations!

JD: Yeah, yeah it's doing pretty good right now on the Loudwire Battle Royale. It's gone up to number one, it's still in the top five on the liter board. That's all thanks to my awesome adoring fans, they're truly something else. 

MS: They sure are! Every time I tweet about you, whoever runs J.D's Outcast Army is on it! They re-tweet me within five minutes usually.

JD: When I was in Florida on a layover I went to Walmart at one in the morning and tweeted something about it. Immediately after I did it there were like four or five responses to it. It's a blessing to have such devoted fans.

MS: Here's a somewhat off the cuff thing that I've always wanted to ask you. Have you ever been skydiving?

JD: I have not. They were trying to get me to skydive to promote my single Parachute off of the Celebrate album, yeah, that wasn't going to happen. Now I would have totally done the indoor skydiving at Universal City Walk. 

MS: Does skydiving scare you?

JD: It depends on what mood I'm in. (laughs)

James  Performing
@ Universal City Walk
Photo: Michael Shinafelt

MS: Speaking of City Walk the last time I saw you was there performing for the organization Autism Rocks. It was a great show, you are always good live, how did you feel about that night?

JD: It felt great! The idea of the organization is to bring awareness to autism. That it is not something to be feared. All we want is to be loved and accepted just like everyone else.

MS: Personally, I accept people as they are, things like that don't scare me.

JD: Good. People may look at us and think we act funny, but we could be looking at you thinking the same thing. (both laugh)

MS: Thanks Buddy!

JD: Thank You Michael!

Riot On Sunset is out...now!

Follow James at:

Official website: http://www.jamesdurbinofficial.com/

Twitter: http://twitter.com/durbinrock

Facebook: http://facebook.com/durbinrock

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/durbinrock/

Get Riot On Sunset at: 

CD Baby

http://cdbaby.com/cd/jamesdurbin3

Riot on Sunset by James Durbin

https://itun.es/us/CPpFdb

Amazon

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01I629H70/ref=dm_aw_dp_sp_bb_sfa  

"Riot On Sunset" With James Durbin

I Love Rock-N-Roll
James Durbin
Photo: Heidi Durbin

James Durbin is back and he's ready to? Rock, of course! What other answer were you expecting?!?!

James Durbin has announced that he will release his new album, Riot On Sunset on July 15.  Riot On Sunset is the first new music from James in over 2 years and will include his latest single, “Smackdown.” 

“Smackdown” is available for digital download through CD Baby  here: www.cdbaby.com/CD/jamesdurbin2   and iTunes here: https://itun.es/us/S_4Fbb

“Smackdown” showcases James’ signature hard rock sound in a grand way with crunching guitar riffs and a truly epic drum beat.  From the opening bass riff to the closing scream & all the debauchery in between, James Durbin is back & better than ever before. 

The video for “Smackdown” has been making a serious impact since its release in April as it was selected for Loudwire’s Battle Royale competition where it currently occupies the #2 spot on their Top 10 countdown. See here: http://loudwire.com/battle-royale-devildriver-debut-big-backwordz-video-countdown-domination/

 Watch the video for “Smackdown”: 

James is also excited to get back out on the road this summer with his new band to perform brand new material from Riot On Sunset  for the first time.  “We’ve been grinding away on this album for months now.  It’s hard to believe it’s time to release it to the world on July 15. I feel like I’ve grown a lot in the studio and as an artist. I hope all the fans will enjoy what I have to say on the album as I have truly loved co-writing & co-producing Riot On Sunset” says James.  See below for confirmed tour dates.

2016 Tour Dates:

July

18                      Portland, OR                  Dante’s

19                       Seattle, WA                   El Corazon

21                      Salt Lake City, UT          Loading Dock

23                      Denver, CO                    Global Hall

24                      Kansas City, MO            Riot Room

26                      Chicago, IL                      Shubas

27                      Pontiac, MI                    Pike Room at Crofoot

28                      Cleveland, OH               Beachland Ballroom

29                      Fort Thomas, KY           Fort Thomas

31                      Universal City, MO       The Duck Room

August

1                         Tulsa, OK                        The Vanguard

6                         San Jose, CA                   Santa Clara County Fair

More dates to be announced soon!

  

Follow James on social media here:

Official website: http://www.jamesdurbinofficial.com/

Twitter: http://twitter.com/durbinrock

Facebook: http://facebook.com/durbinrock

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/durbinrock/

James Durbin Rocks Autism!

James & His Band
On The Jumbotron 

Last night I attended a show at Universal City Walk for the organization: Autism Rocks.

My buddy James Durbin of American Idol was headlining it. James definitely rocks!!!

His latest single Smackdown really hits it out of the park. Hey, check out the photos I took of last night's show, it was awesome! 

It's Saturday, Rock Out With Your...

Rock Star!
James Durbin

Shooting James
Heidi Durbin

                                                      Everybody Loves James 

                                                    A True "American Idol"

                                            Me & James Before The Show

Keep On Rocking With James at: 

https://twitter.com/DurbinRock

https://www.facebook.com/DurbinRock/

https://www.instagram.com/durbinrock/?hl=en

Autism Rocks at: 

http://www.autismrocksla.com/                                    

#Hashtag Monday...#Prince #MargaretCho #JamesDurbin #MichaelShinafelt

Me & Margaret Cho
@ The Wiltern

"It's just another manic Monday, I wish it was Sunday
'Cause that's my funday, My I don't have to runday" - The Bangles Written by Prince

Wow! What a week it has been all I can think of is Prince, Prince, Prince. I have always loved the Purple One for his art, humanity and balls.

The reality of the impact he had on my life really set in after a few days. Hearing my awesome spin instructor Michelle Siegel play his songs while I toiled away on the stationary bike brought me to how he really influenced my life and person.

This quote from the Internet nails my sentiments perfectly:

"Thinking about how we mourn artists we've never met. We don't cry because we knew them, we cry because they helped us know ourselves"

Me & James Durbin
@ Universal City Walk

I really had to put this out there as Prince meant a lot to me and is a big part of who I am. Things to come this week? Look for my chat Wednesday with Margaret Cho about her CD that drops this Friday, April 29th American Myth.
Also I am attending my buddy James Durbin's free concert at Universal City Walk this Friday coincidentally the 29th as well. So you know I will have some killer exclusive pics.
Have a terrific week!
Follow Me On Twitter:
https://twitter.com/MShinafelt

It's A James Durbin "Smackdown"

James Durbin: Blondes Have More Fun!
Photo: Heidi Durbin

 Are all you Durbinators ready for a Smackdown?! Of course you are...!!!

James Durbin has released his new single & video for “Smackdown”.  Check it, don't wreck it here: http://loudwire.com/james-durbin-smackdown-exclusive-video-premiere/

 Have a “Smackdown” here:  www.cdbaby.com/CD/jamesdurbin2     

“Smackdown” is the first new music from James in over 2 years and will be the lead single off of his forthcoming as-yet-untitled 3^rd  full length album release slated for this summer.   “Smackdown” showcases James’ signature hard rock sound in a grand way with crunching guitar riffs and a truly epic drum beat.  

From the opening bass riff to the closing scream & all the debauchery in between, James Durbin is back & better than ever before

James has also been invited to perform on American Idol’s finale show Thursday, April 7.  Other performers slated to return for the finale show include Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, Daughtry, David Cook and many other former IDOLS.  

"I'm really looking forward to being a part of the Idol series Finale. It's really beginning to hit me that this whole thing is gonna be over. I am excited but sad too. I'm honored & grateful to share the end of this show with all my amazingly talented Idol family & lay it to rest together" said James.

Follow James on social media here:

Twitter: http://twitter.com/durbinrock

Facebook: http://facebook.com/durbinrock

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/durbinrock/

Halloween, Durbin Style

James & Jack Skellington
 Mugging for the Camera!

Hey you guys, of course you all know James Durbin was the rocker with the most cake, placing 4th on American Idol season 10.

And he also made two successful albums: Memories of a Beautiful Disaster and Celebrate. But did you Durbinators know that James is crazy for Halloween? Well he is damn it! Here with his five favorite spooky traditions is my buddy Mr. James Durbin!

1. We always begin decorating early. 

2. We DIY our costumes. If not the entire costume at least customizing it in some way to make it better. 

James & Heidi Durbin
DIY! Halloween

3. My wife & I always have multiple costumes. Our family costume & our couples costumes. 

4. After trick or treating is over, my wife & I get a sitter, go out in full Day of the Dead makeup & have some drinks. 

5. We grow our own pumpkins. 

Do you smash your own pumpkins too...???

Celebrate Halloween with James and his Family at:
https://twitter.com/DurbinRock
https://www.facebook.com/DurbinRock
https://instagram.com/durbinrock/?hl=en   

Father's Day With James Durbin

James Durbin & Family

Happy Father's Day to all of you Dads out there! I thought I would honor the day here on Entertain Me with a photo of one of my favorite people, James Durbin, his wife Heidi and their son Hunter and daughter Kinzee.

James as you will recall was a runner-up on season 10 of American Idol.

With two albums under his belt, the head banging Memories of a Beautiful Disaster and the pop oriented Celebrate, James is hard at work on his third outing, and like all of you Durbinators out there I can't wait to hear what he comes up with.

You can check out a new track titled: Santa Cruz below -

 Have a terrific FD people!

Keep Rockin' With James at:
https://instagram.com/durbinrock/
https://twitter.com/durbinrock
https://www.facebook.com/DurbinRock

Happy Halloween Everyone, Time For Treats

It's here, my favorite Holiday of the year, give me an H-a-l-l-o-w-e-e-n, what's that spell? Halloween, Yay! This year I have decided to celebrate All Hallows Eve by having familiar faces pop by and chime in on the Season of the Witch...

Including myself. I love horror movies and my contribution to this column on the most holy of days will be images from my favorite horror movie of all time: John Carpenter's Halloween.

Michael Myers scared the crap out of me, I used to see his white emotionless face appear in the dark for a few years after I first saw the movie! Eeeeeeeeeeeek! So let's get this Dead Man's Party started, shall we? Treat time people!

"I'd re-animate Vlad the impaler. He could show Isis how a pro does it".- Stuart Gordon Writer/Director "Re-Animator" & "Re-Animator The Musical"

"I love sweet tarts which are probably too old fashioned for kids today. It's got this chalky taste that's closer to children's aspirin (which I also love) than candy. I like the candy that everyone hates like candy corn, butterscotch, sweet tarts. And I hate bobbing for apples. That seems dangerous and not delicious." - Margaret Cho Comedian/Writer/Actress

"My favorite thing about Halloween was trading the candy I got from trick or treating for things I actually wanted, because I didn't like candy." - Avi Kaplan Pentatonix

Jamie Lee Curtis Will Cut You!

"We started celebrating Halloween in September haha. We go to the library & get all Halloween stories & start watching Halloween movies. This year were setting up a Halloween tree & making all our own costumes. It's visually festive. We're obsessed!!" -  James Durbin Singer/Songwriter/American Idol Finalist 

"Halloween is my absolute favorite holiday!!  I grew up doing theatre, so it's basically the one time of the year you can be overly theatrical and dress up and the better you do it the cooler you are, haha.  I also just love scary movies and going to themed events like haunted houses, theme parks, parties, etc.  It's all just super fun and scary!" - Kirstin Maldonado Pentatonix

"Um...free chocolate...all you have to do is get dressed up for fun. Yea...I'm all in!" - Raine Brown Actress/Producer/Scream Queen

"My favorite thing about Halloween is getting a group together and going to haunted houses. I looooove being scared with my best friends!"  - Scott Hoying Pentatonix

Everybody Run! It's Michael Myers!

"I LOVE Halloween.  It's my favorite holiday between the costumes and the ghost stories.  I dress up every year and I find that somehow whatever my costume it sort of takes over me and becomes a part of my spirit that defines each year... I like making my costumes myself too; not sewing them or anything but combining the parts in a way that's unique and not just buying something ready made.  Oh and here in LA I insist on going on the Haunted Hayride in Griffith Park!" - Naama Kates Singer/Songwriter/Actress "Souled"

"To be honest, I usually stay in and watch a movie or hang out with friends at their home lol. But maybe I’ll try something fun this year this Halloween!" - Kevin “K.O.” Olusola Cellist, Beatboxer - Pentatonix

"Love me a handful of candy corn, a sparkly magical costume and a bunch of great friends! Kids at my door cutie pies in costumes, party time! That's what I love about Halloween!" - EG Daily Singer/Songwriter/Actress 

"I grew up doing theatre, like Kirstie, so playing dress-up has always been fun for me! I love the decorating aspect of Halloween, too. The kitschier the better!" - Mitchell C. Grassi Pentatonix

"The DRAMA!! lol!" - Aiden Leslie Singer/Songwriter

Look Behind You Babysitter!

"My favorite part of Halloween is the 364 days before when my 5 year old twins try on costumes in preparation".- Cindy Alexander Singer/Songwriter

"I love to go to the Day of the Dead festival at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery. It's a wonderful taste of loving Mexican culture," - Sir JET Gender Bending Pop Singer

"The look on a kid's face when they walk in with SO much candy."- Debby Holiday Singer/Songwriter

"I love the spirit of Halloween! Dressing up, eating candies and having a great time with your family and friends" - Grace Valerie Singer/Songwriter

"My favorite thing about Halloween is probably Elvira’s boobs. I mean, they are life giving. A close second is making sure to watch Michael Jackson’s, “Thriller”, from start to finish - and dancing that amazing choreography full out because you know, it’s “thriller, thriller night, and no one’s gonna save you from the beast about to strike.” - Matthew Duffy Singer/Dancer/Perfomer 

We Know It's You Michael

"My favorite thing about Halloween is that my birthday is a few days after." - Monique Parent Actress/Scream Queen
"I'm not Wednesday Addams, but I've always been a night owl with a flair for the macabre. Halloween is the one time I can feel truly at home. Add in some chocolate...perfection!" - M.E. Franco Author, The Dion Series
"Dancing to Necroditty! And remember boys and girls...Lloyd is still out there!" - The Drews, Americana With Twisted Roots Band

"I'll be at Comikaze the whole day on Halloween at our booth 161 Hollywood Sci-Fi Museum" - Huston Huddleston Hollywood Sci-Fi Museum Head Honcho
Get your spook on at: http://www.halloween-website.com/