Durbin Day photos from photographer Hilgard Muller

Big thank you to Hilgard Muller for taking these shots for the Hilary Bryant and Ryan Coonerty to document the surfboard hand off. I have moments when I think I should of tried to go but my kids and I were kind of done emotionally after the Santa Cruz Teen Center meet up with James Durbin.



Nice article today in the Santa Cruz Sentinel the Durbinator!

A few photos from my phone of Kevin Walsh working on the Durbin Surfboard.



I owe a big apology to Patrick O'Reilly for not making the Seth Godin Linchpin meet up at NextSpace last night.

James Durbin inside the Teen Center

It was hectic to say the least. Drove straight from the Haut Shop to meet my husband downtown who had my kids we park and get out. Instantly I could hear crowds roaring and I was getting nervous that we were too late. We walked down and met up with Trisha and Sheri who were going to give James two complete Santa Cruz Skateboards and a few bags of Santa Cruz swag for his family. The crowd was huge and I asked an officer how do you find out where the list to get in is? He told me to go around back. Long story short we were not on the list after names were called out for the Kids on Broadway. Tension mounting and time shrinking. I start typing in a text to Hilary that I don't think we are on the list. The woman at the door radios for someone else to ask about a second list. A guy comes over says he can't help and I hit the send button. My phone rings and there is Hilary Bryant calling. I ask him if he'd like to talk to her? (in a nice tone of course) He immediately walks me to the other side of the room. I wave to the others to follow. The woman he leaves me with gets on the phone and then walks us into the empty Teen Center Room. After we walk in we look at each other and think it's a mistake because we can now hear the screaming fans and we are looking out the window and but no James yet. But then we see the Skateboards and the Guitar that are gifts to be given to James and then we realize maybe we are in the right spot. In the end we were.


Before the crowd and just before we could hear the crowd roar.


Our view from the window as James get's out from the car.


Doug Haut with the baseball cap heading over to tell James that he built something for him. That was a great moment for me. Knowing none of us would be at the board hand off but to know James would know who that man was who whispered in his ear. I built something for you.


James is in the middle talking to someone that was in a wheel chair.


James checking out the small board for Hunter.


Super stoked to get his Santa Cruz goods. I wasn't able to hear exactly what he said some nice things to Doug Haut the H in NHS and Novak's niece Trisha and girlfriend Sheri.


Ryan Coonerty and James Durbin.


My kids checking out the autographs while James is on the other side of the room signing and greeting more fans that are polite and smiling.


James is given a Gibson Guitar which he signs and I heard gave to the Santa Cruz Teen Center.



As far as complete skateboards and helmets go. Board Rescue with the support of NHS or Santa Cruz Skateboards gave 8 complete boards and Bell helmets to the center last year. Now anyone want to donate a few ramps or rails for the kids they can use a few. Hint hint.

James Durbin Board Shot from Hilgard Muller

This is the first photo I saw and shared with Hilary and many others that were not able to get to the stage that night. We were there in spirit, Hilgard Muller took this cell phone shot of his camera shot. Hilary had one E ticket to get someone in close enough and Hilgard got it. I was texting him from before 2:00 pm that day and it took several days to confirm whether or not he'd actually get the pass. He had to arrange a sitter since his wife was doing a 70 mile bike ride that day. Thank you for letting us have Hil that day. So many people that gave this week behind the scenes. I love this town.

Here are two more close ups of the detail on this surfboard by Kevin Walsh. He ended up not going to the hand off. His brother was having a 40 th Birthday party and he was suppose to leave at noon to get to his party. Hilary was trying to arrange it so that Doug Haut and Kevin would be on stage handing the board to Ryan Coonerty but since American Idol wasn't putting on the big event like originally planned it ended up no one got to go near the stage. It was only fitting that Kris Reyes from the Boardwalk had the honors. He was the person that had to organize the whole logistics of the day and I know he was trying to get us in because I spoke to him a few times that week.

American Idol Cast-Off James Durbin Gets Homecoming Parade: MyFoxNY.com

James Durbin Surfboard build

Can you say hustle? Thanks to everyone that helped me out. I mean everyone. I think I used my Kudos card this week. I got a e-mail via Facebook from Hilary Bryant last Thursday morning after just coming back from Croakies in Montana the night before. She knew I had worked on the Amgen Surfboard with Matt Twissleman asked if it was possible to make a board similar to that for James Durbin's Boardwalk home coming event. I said I'd see what I could do. I documented this past week working with photographers Jay Watson, Higard Muller and my dad (a retired photographer) who I recruited yesterday morning to add to this week I did a photo shoot Wednesday afternoon for the SockSmith with Patrick Trefz at the Boardwalk and Beach while photographer Robert Houser was shooting for the non-profit Board Rescue in San Francisco at the Cesar Chavez Elementary School. (really). I stalked Kevin Walsh the talented artist that created the art on the 8'6" Doug Haut Surfboard took photos of him working, to save time I didn't have I made use of yet another contact and friend Christina Glynn Communications Director/Film Commissioner at Santa Cruz County Conference & Visitors Council who helped get me images for Kevin to use as photos as reference.


Okay, now how do you get a custom surfboard built in a week? Let me think you can't. But I think I can. I made calls to Richard Novak, Doug Haut (who was sick) I call Jeff at the retail shop who again reminds me Doug is out sick. I call Ward Coffey who was generous enough to help me out. Until I go over the real time plan of this board build and realize I can't build a board from scratch I change gears once I figured the art would have to be done in two days, uploaded via FTP to in Headline graphics, based out of Cardiff-by-the-Sea. I then call owner Jerry Anderson who said he'd do it in 2 hours and get it back to me on Tuesday then the board would have to be laminated, hotcoated, sanded and finished. Hand crafted surfboards take weeks to build. I had several weeks to work on the Amgen Surfboard. I get a call from Doug Haut and tell him what I'm trying to do.

Plan B. I realize I should get a board bag. I have to pick up our Board Rescue t shirts at NHS and I run into Wingnut helps me out but can't find one in the NHS warehouse. I text him later and he's sorry but he's had to head to Cabo. I ask him who can I stalk next and I wasn't kidding. I return to NHS the next day NHS and Richard Novak digs through the stuff in the cage we still can't find out. He calls TC (Tom Campion) of the Santa Cruz Boardroom he has one. I drive there and pick it up. Got the bag. Okay next. More calls, texts, e-mails. Work in between, family, kids, life, deadlines. Photo shoot set for Friday with Doug Haut at the Surf Shop, second stop shoot with Kevin Walsh at his studio, Shoot set for the afternoon at the Digital Media Factory thanks to Marty Collins the owner who is kind enough to let us shoot. Wednesday afternoon I finished a photoshoot got home took the kids to pick up a few items at the Boardroom they wanted to wear Santa Cruz branded wear. I didn't have time to go to NHS so I improvise. As I walk out of the Boardroom with happy kids because we get to sit in the James Durbin section at the show set for Saturday. I get the text from Novak saying I hate to tell you but he's out. It's East Coast feed info from a friend and I have to break the news to the kids as we drive home. Now what? I tell the kids I want to return the goods and get it from NHS directly so I don't mess up TC's inventory. Kids are bummed.


Can't get out of the photo shoot photographer rented gear and booked the day out to drive down from San Carlos. I decide let's just shoot. I call artist let him know he can slow down on the board, get it done but it doesn't have to be done by Saturday. Friday it's on as I'm still shooting just because I can't stop I get a text from Hilary we are on! E-mail from Ryan Coonerty we are a go can you get the board done that is Friday afternoon. Luckily I work well under pressure. In the end the board gets done. I will share more photos later.
Since American Idol isn't doing the full home event we don't get to go to the Boardwalk event not enough security no VIP seating but it was cool my kids got to meet James at the Teen Center. I've been there before having donated Complete Skateboards from NHS and Bell helmets the year before with Board Rescue. So stoked that's where James wanted to go on his visit. It is a great place.

Wednesday's shoot between the other things I was doing. Almost done with the SockSmith Catalog. Local company owners son grew up with James. Small town.

James Durbin appreciation: From Santa Cruz and around the world

Here is just one of many stories posted.
So many great stories you've got to read. But if you could only read one. This one really summed the tone of all of them.

Santa Cruz has a certain magic about it. It is the jewel of the bay area where I have lived my entire life. Santa Cruz is what I call the place you go "to make it without having to fake it" There is a certain spirit or pride and individualism that set it apart. A community appeal. Where you show your "scars" actual and figurative with comfort as they simply are.

Growing up we often lose that, and when I feel a bit too jaded or as though I want to run from the Bay Area or CA I make the short drive through the windy road that is highway 17 to Santa Cruz. Instantly I feel a sense of calm and belonging.

I fall in love or appreciate my home all over again as though seeing it through virgin eyes. Some people have a love affair with San Francisco, but for me Santa Cruz is the epicenter. Where everything falls into place and feels effortless and perfect.

So naturally when leisurely watching American Idol I saw a contestant from Santa Cruz my eyes and ears took notice. I listened to the background story; foremost of a young man that like me was unemployed due to a layoff. The tears and frustration in his eyes were ones I knew all too well.

The heartfelt and pure love between him and his fiancee and family was also something so endearing. Again the things I know deep down are most important, and really do exist all coming from a community I admire so much. I have been fighting my own battles and been gloomy. Stepping outside myself and seeing this has been incredibly lifting and motivating...

So I am watching a fairy tale of sorts come true. So fitting it is Santa Cruz. This is where dreams come true. No earthquakes, economic hard times or any other worries can keep it from building or rebuilding stronger.

James represents Santa Cruz so perfectly. With a grace, humility, and tenacity that we all can learn from. Not just ones with dreams of fame but those of us just wanting to make it. So look to Santa Cruz. You can survive and be who you are with no regrets.

- Shelby Baker, Foster City

Durbin Day in Santa Cruz, May 14 at the Boardwalk

Working on project for American Idol James Durbin Santa Cruz Boardwalk show with less than a week to go. Big thank you for all of those helping out.




This brings tears to my eyes every time. What a talented young man. I am honored to be working on the project for local boy James Durbin. This should be good for our little town, hit hard by the economy, tsunami, Capitola Flood. Great to have some positive event planned ahead.

The Santa Cruz Patch win or loose it's going to happen.