Former Idol contestants talk about life after

LITTLE ROCK, AR -- James Durbin is using his time on American Idol to his advantage. THursday night, the former Idol contestant performed at Juanita's in the River Market.

"Little Rock is great. We just got here today, I got to skate board around a little bit," Durbin said.

Durbin said Idol taught him how to go after his goals.

"Idol is a crash course in the music industry. It's a breakthrough," Durbin said.

Durbin's frame of mind is the same for another Idol finalist. Performing earlier at the Electric Cowboy, Bucky Covington said he has to keep his career moving.

"When you come off that show, you are about as hot as next season. So once you come off that show, you got to stay hungry," Covington said.

Now, both artists are looking forward to the winner of this season's contest.

"There is such an aura around the finale. It is huge," Durbin said.