James Durbin Is Already A Moneymaker Thanks To Durbinomics

Santa Cruz is very happy to have James Durbin. If you caught The Ellen DeGeneres Show yesterday, then you saw the Season 10 American Idol metal enthusiast — who was unexpectedly voted off the show last week — in shots during his weekend appearance at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. Now the city’s Conference And Visitors Council is estimating that James generated a total of $1 million in revenue for local businesses — something the organization is chalking up to “Durbinomics.” Silicon Valley’s Mercury News quotes one local business owner (who works in concessions at the boardwalk) in Durbin’s hometown as saying, “”Everybody would love to have him back. Weekly would be nice. People came to celebrate… more than we have ever seen. The age range was amazing, grandparents to young kids. And they spent.”

The publication notes that the Santa Cruz County Conference and Visitors Council based the spending estimate on research showing visitors traveling in groups of three and spending about $100 per visit.

The Silicon Valley/San Jose Business Journal quotes the Visitors Council’s CEO Maggie Ivy from a statement she issued after the 22-year-old budding rocker’s gig: “We will be seeing the benefits of this publicity for a long time to come. The impact this event had on the community was immediate, right when we needed it the most. It was also an amazing testament to the collaboration shown by a number of agencies who worked together immediately on this time-sensitive event.”

But enough of the economic mumbo jumbo! What about the singing? “Durbin Day turned into 2011 being Durbin YEAR OFFICIALLY in Santa Cruz! I worked that stage like no ones business! Aaah! Tour will ROCK you,” the crooner tweeted on Sunday.

Here’s James performing a cover of the Shirelles‘ “Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow” during his May 14 Durbin Day concert:

James Durbin — “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” (Beatles cover)

James Durbin —  “Don’t Stop Believin'” (Journey cover)

Now, we’re no math or economy experts. But if Durbinomics worked in generating a million bucks for the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, just imagine the kind of numbers he could do at a concert venue with major label support. Guess will see if there’s something to that theory when the Idols Live tour gets underway this summer.

Do you think James could outsell Scotty McCreery or Lauren Alaina — the two Idol contestants who’ve made it through to the Season 10 finale — if offered a record contract?