Each time Clay and I head to the Smoky Mountains, we find something new to fall in love with. Little did we know, that on our most recent trip, we would find a group of musicians local to our own hometown, that would blow us away! The band is called PointSeven and they’re fantastic!
We were actually in the Pigeon Forge area to celebrate my sister-in-law’s birthday as well as to offer our love and support to those affected by the tragic fires that ripped through the area. We decided to head to the Hard Rock Cafe for my sis-in-law’s birthday dinner and I am so glad we did!
When the server seated us, my brother-in-law asked who the band for the night was and we were told it was a group of teens from Lexington, KY. Since that is our hometown we were really excited to check them out. Now, I have to tell you, up front, that none of us really gave much credit when we heard “teen band”. Of, course, we assumed they would be “good” since they were playing at the Hard Rock Cafe, but I think in the back of our minds we all pictured a simple garage band. We had no idea what a treat we were about to receive!
These guys aren’t “good”. They are fantastic!
PointSeven is a band made up of 3 young musicians including CJ Jones – lead vocalist and lead guitar, Colby Grant on bass and Ryan Slayton on drums. Each one of these guys brings something unique and super special to this band. When they play, each one stands out and each one is incredibly talented!
Folks, when you hear that the band is young, don’t assume, like I did. Because their age and length of band life means NOTHING! They have talent. They have chemistry. They have stage presence. They have professionalism and, they have maturity. Just before they started to play, (because I was rude and interrupted their meal for a photo – they were so nice and accommodating) the guys talked to me, personally, and carried on a conversation about their music with so much passion and knowledge that it blew my mind before I’d even heard them play! And all of those things shine through when they are on that stage performing.
Each guy is doing his own thing but you can tell that they listen to each other, they work together to make music and they mesh so well! I’ve been to concerts for older, established artists that dawdled between songs, either re-tuning, chatting with each other or just simply taking mini breaks between songs. PointSeven didn’t do this. They went from song to song without missing a beat. And that made for an even more enjoyable show.
I really wish I’d had my good camera with me. The one on my phone is crappy so these photos are horrible and the video is grainy and, because it is Facebook Live it cuts in and out in spots. But… they still sound great!
PointSeven
is a three piece rock band from Lexington, Kentucky. Formed in January 2016, the band brings Colby Grant and CJ Jones of the now disbanded Bring Back Einstein together with Ryan Slayton of Ghetto Circus. This trio of talented teens blends their high energy brand of original music with cover songs from bands such as Queens Of The Stone Age, Cage The Elephant, and Royal Blood.
When the show started, Colby announced that the tip bucket at the front of the stage was being used to collect money for a Hard Rock employee that lost their home in the fire. They weren’t collecting tips for themselves. They were collecting for someone they didn’t really know that had lost everything they owned in a fire. You guys! They were collecting tips for someone else. I may have cried a little when I heard that.
Then they started playing and everyone in the Hard Rock Cafe was tapping their feet, clapping and jamming along with PointSeven. I can honestly say that it was one of the best performances Clay and I have attended – ever.
As talented as Ryan, Colby and CJ are, they are having a little trouble getting into venues. They aren’t 18 or 21 yet so they can only play in certain places. They can only play in a venue if there is a certain percentage of food being sold and only as long as the kitchen is open and serving food. So it’s tough for them to get in to places to play as well as getting the word out about their band. They need help finding places that will let them play and gather a following. If you know of any places, contact me and I’ll pass the word along!
Ok, here is a Facebook live video I did during their show. My phone kept trying to overheat and finally just shut down. So I didn’t get the second set but I think I managed to get almost all of the first. I downloaded it and tried to brighten it up a bit for you and remove some talking when the server stopped by our table.
I know that a couple of the songs sound scrambled in spots. That is because of it being Facebook Live and the signal not being strong enough. The next time I hear these guys playing live, I’ll be using my good camera and just outright videoing without going live.
They started out strong and great and seemed to just get even better as the night went on!
Another thing that really impresses me with this band is their incredible support system. They are not “just a garage band”. These guys are real musicians with a support system made up of their families. I met their parents and they are all just as incredible as these guys are! They answered every question I had, gave us insight into PointSeven and spoke with so much pride and joy!
You can tell that they are not micro-managing every aspect of their children’s lives, but rather, cheering on their son’s in a path they have chosen for themselves and helping them pave the way to what is surely to become one heck of a successful musical career!
They even gave me some cool swag including their EP, a t-shirt and bracelet that my 16 year old son confiscated before I could get a photo.
Ok I’ve really rambled on in this post. I can’t help it. I am so excited to introduce y’all to PointSeven. I truly believe this band has a bright future ahead!
I’d like to invite you all to share this post to help get the word out about PointSeven. If you’re in the area, check them out!
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I am a stay-at-home- mom, living in KY with my husband and children. I’m a travel and lifestyle blogger encouraging folks to live their life one adventure at a time while also focusing on beauty, essential oils and health. From time to time I also like to showcase my adorable pets along with my family. Along with Cinnamon Hollow I can be found at The Martin Family Adventure … read more
Thank you so much for this great review! It was a joy meeting you and your family!
Hi Sheila,
You are very welcome! It was a pleasure hearing them play and meeting you all too!
They’ve got great sound, so happy you shared this, I love music and finding bands like this to listen to, you never know what you might find
Thanks April!
I enjoy listening to new bands and especially young kids starting out. I have listened to many over the years and seen some progress up the ladder through the years. We need to give them a chance.
This is not coming across that well on my browser. I will have to check them out sometime. Thanks for the heads up! Enjoy your Holidays!
I bet this was FUN!
Hi Bethany, it was a lot of fun! We had a great time
They do sound great together I think you found a great band.Thanks for sharing.
Thanks Nancy!
Oh my gosh, they look so young!! So young and so talented.
Hi Connie,
They are all under age 18! I was surprised and impressed at how great they all are.
Good luck in the music industry!
Hi John, I think these guys are going to go far!
wow what a great voice, I wish I lived closer and got a chance to see them sing
Hi Vickey,
I have a feeling they’ll be playing nationally before long!
Amazing how they came together and made it happen! I wish them much success and happiness. For true happiness make all the difference.
Hi Tina,
It really seems like it was meant to be for these guys to play together.
wow how talented!
What a great place!!
That was really sweet of them to collect for that employee!
What honest true talent. They even gave to someone in need. This review was great I wish I lived closer so I could hear them but maybe they will make it big some day.
Hi Theresa,
They are some really sweet young men with big hearts and lots of talent. I feel so honored to have met them and feel like they will make it. You’ll hear them locally some day, I just know it!
Isn’t it great when you find a local band and they are GREAT! We had DUKE TOMATOE AND THE POWER TRIO in Indianapolis I think it was, I was a waitress upstairs at Locomotions and they used to play in the Jam Cellar. Years later John Fogerty discovered them, but the they didn’t go far…they were a great bar band though…I want to Tie You UP was my favorite…..wow, I just heard you mention their ages….so you get to watch them grow up…like Kenny Wayne Shepard and a couple of the other guitar wizards I watched….I’m too old for this these days, but here is a link to the last up and comer I ran across…. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uKAqqgbuUcg
Hi Katt,
I bet you heard a lot of great bands come through the Jam Cellar! I love that these guys are so young and can only go further and further in their career!
I’ll go check out the link you posted. Thanks for sharing!
I love it when young people follow their passion in life. I hope this group does well.
Looks like they are having lots of fun. Thank you for sharing.
On behalf of PointSeven – as a proud mom- I want to say thank you to Crystal and Clay for this coverage! Thank you to everyone for the kind comments! CJ, Colby, and Ryan appreciate you! They are already writing and preparing to record their second EP soon!
Hi Sheila,
Thank you for stopping by and commenting. You are very welcome for the coverage! It really was an honor to meet y’all and to hear PointSeven play. They are so good! I’m looking forward to purchasing their next EP!
Aw, that was awesome that they were helping out a fellow Hard Rock Cafe employee who had lost everything in the fire. Those fires were terrible. I live in Sevierville. We got a lot the smoke from the mountains. It’s amazing how people have come together to help each other. It’s a wonderful community.
Hi Tina,
It really is incredible how much the community and even the nation has pulled together to help out. It must have been terrifying being so close to the fires! I’m glad you are ok!!!
We love hearing new bands. If you have a chance, you should check out Bristol Rhythm and Roots. We went for the first time last year and found some new bands to listen to.
Ooooh we’ll have to go check that out this year! Thanks Kathleen!
Nice coverage of this Band! They are awesome by the way!
Nice review! I’ll check them out. I lived in Lexington for years. Lots of good bands out of there then.
Thanks for sharing the music!
I may check them out later. It sounds like you had a great time.
What a great place.
Awesome happy to share!!!
Sounds like a great place and great music.
I love this place.