Nicole

The Zoo Crew is spinning the sultry southern rock tune Nicole by Point Blank from their 1981 album American Exce$$, and the Zoo Freaks are loving it! This track, the band’s only Top 40 hit, peaked at #39 on Billboard’s Hot 100 and reached #20 on the Rock Tracks chart, driven by its bluesy guitar riffs and heartfelt lyrics. In a 2015 interview, founding member Rusty Burns shared that Nicole was inspired by a real-life story of a friend’s troubled relationship, capturing the emotional plea of someone watching a loved one spiral. The song’s driving rhythm and raw energy made it a staple on AOR radio stations, and Burns noted the band played it at nearly every show due to fan demand, often stretching it with extended guitar solos for live audiences.

Another tidbit comes from a rare 1981 radio interview with DJs in Dallas, where the band revealed that Nicole was almost left off American Exce$$ because producers initially felt it was too soft for their hard rock sound. However, Bill Ham, their manager also known for guiding ZZ Top, pushed for its inclusion, believing its emotional depth would resonate. Fans on the Point Blank Southern Rock Fan Group on Facebook often share stories of hearing Nicole on late-night drives, with one user posting in 2020 about discovering the song on a classic rock station and feeling an instant connection to its tale of concern and longing.

Point Blank formed in Irving, Texas, in 1974, rooted in the gritty southern rock scene. The band, led by guitarist Rusty Burns and vocalist John O’Daniel, started as a bar band playing covers of Lynyrd Skynyrd and Allman Brothers before crafting their own boogie-infused sound. Discovered by Bill Ham’s Lone Wolf Productions, they built a reputation for relentless touring, averaging 250 shows a year without a record deal for their first two years, as Burns recalled in a 2007 Dixiefrog Records bio. Their raw live performances earned them opening slots for giants like Aerosmith and Ted Nugent, setting the stage for their debut album in 1976, recorded in Memphis with producer Terry Manning.

By the time American Exce$$ dropped in 1981, Point Blank had shifted toward a polished AOR sound, blending their southern roots with mainstream rock. Despite their brief chart success with Nicole, the band broke up in 1983, though they reunited in the 2000s for new recordings and tours. Sadly, many founding members, including Burns, have passed, but their legacy lives on through fans. You can connect with the band’s history at their official website, pointblanksouthernrock.com, or follow updates on their Facebook page. Fans also gather at the Point Blank Southern Rock Fan Group, sharing memories and rare photos. While their Instagram is less active, it features throwback shots, and their X account occasionally posts about southern rock events. For deeper dives, check out fan-curated content at Heavy Harmonies, a site dedicated to hard rock and AOR bands like Point Blank.