We recently connected with Daniel Durston and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Daniel, thanks for joining us today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

I put so much effort, thought and love into every project I create or am a part of, but the project with the most weight and reward is my musical “1996: A Blink-182 Musical”. It’s an original story based on my upbringing and the tragic loss I’ve experienced, all backed by the music of the band who has been a very substantial part of my life and career. Initially inspired by a dear friend who took his own life and the tragedies surrounding my own family – the story touches on my successes and failures as a punk-rock musician growing up in Southern California. Every character and every monologue has quite a bit of my first-hand thoughts and experiences in them.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

Growing up in Southern California I was naturally drawn to the pop-punk scene at a young age. Shortly after high school I secured a spot on the Vans Warped Tour where I got my first experience as a touring musician leading me to tour with Nickelodeon’s Max Schneider and Victoria Justice for three consecutive national tours. Having a love for musical theatre and a dream of continuing the tour life, I soon booked two Broadway musical national tours as a pit musician. Meanwhile this entire time I was doing three things: writing my own original musical, auditioning for the lead role Elvis Presley in the Broadway tour of Million Dollar Quartet and consistently submitting to be cast in the CBS reality TV show Big Brother. All of which, 10 years later, I can proudly say I have been a success. Three years I toured the country portraying Elvis in a Broadway musical, I fulfilled my dream of playing a passionate, strategic and loyal game on Big Brother and most importantly my proudest moment has been premiering a staged reading of my original story 1996: A Blink-182 Musical at the San Diego Fringe Festival winning the box office award for most sold out performances. This abbreviated paragraph makes my story seem so simple and to the point, but by no means was a single moment easy or without many years of failure.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

In March of 2001 I lost my oldest brother Dwayne Durston to an unmotivated and still unsolved murder in my hometown of Ontario, California. I was just 14 years old experiencing one of the most tragic events any family could face. There are many places a mind can go when something so unexpected is now a reality, somehow someway I chose the path of the arts hoping to sharing my brother’s light through music and storytelling, in turn becoming a very crucial therapeutic outlet for a teenager or anyone at any age for that matter. Every failure I’ve faced since that day has been overcome with the fear of not fulfilling my dreams before my own life comes to an end. Each and every day I persist through the memory of his senseless murder in hopes to share the love my brother had for music and art in every thing I create and every show I perform. Writing an original story like 1996, has been the most fulfilling thing I’ve ever done because I’ve been able to air my hardships in pursuit of letting others know they’re not alone in their struggles.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

To let others feel seen, heard and understood. Often shortened to “making people happy”, but people assume that means to make someone smile or laugh, I think being touched by a story or performance in any way including tears and anger is connecting with someone letting them know they’re not alone and their story is not an unrepresented one. Some of my happiest moments is knowing my thoughts and experiences are not all my own and there’s someone out there who has been through the same thing making me feel less alone.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.danieldurston.com
• Instagram: @danieldurston
• Youtube: www.youtube.com/@1996musical
• Other: 1996: A Blink-182 Musical: www.1996musical.com Elvis Tribute Show: www.thekingandmarilyn.com

Image Credits
Main headshot: Sonja Flemming | CBS Big Brother Outside headshot: Julia Cox | Darling Juliet Photo Sitting at computer desk: Taylor Mercado | Taylor Paige Photos Elvis in black leather: Ryan J. Zirngibl | Arrow Rock Lyceum Theatre Playing red guitar (2002): unknown