Singer-songwriter Benton Paul to perform acoustic set at Freakin’ Frog

By Dylan Scott

Wednesday, Jan. 5, 2011 | 9:45 a.m.

Singer-songwriter Benton Paul has been making a name from himself on tour and through the blogosphere. The 24-year-old Henderson resident has shared the stage with “American Idol” runner-up David Archuleta. Joe Jonas, of the Jonas Brothers, once said that Paul's "I Only See You" was his favorite song.

Wednesday evening, Paul plans to tone it down with a special, all-acoustic performance at the Freakin' Frog.

"You can expect something a little more up-close and personal," Paul said. The show begins at 9:30 p.m. Admission is free and the show is open to all ages.

Multi-talented -- he plays guitar and piano, sings and writes songs -- Paul said he's been performing since he was 6 years old. His professional career took off after he garnered attention performing at campus and local hotspots during his college years at Brigham Young University, he said.

After listening to some of Paul’s songs, Jonas gave him a shout-out on tour. They've since collaborated on several songs and become good friends, Paul said. After Jonas's endorsement, Paul said the song's downloads increased tenfold, as did his Facebook and Twitter fans.

His song "Run" was selected as the iTunes Discovery Download of the Week, and his rise continued when Paul opened for Archuleta on the "Christmas From the Heart Tour" in 2009.

Paul, originally from Salt Lake City, moved to Henderson in 2010 "to be closer to Los Angeles and family" and is "excited to call Las Vegas my new home," he said. These days, he spends much of his time working on his second album -- his first EP, "Trois," was released in 2009 -- and figuring out his next move, he said.

To keep him going, Paul said he relies on inspirations from everyday life and the work of his favorite bands, Coldplay and Muse, while he tries to grow as an artist.

"My influences are all around me ... They are in the relationships I'm involved in, the books I read and the movies I watch," he said. "But to be perfectly upfront, they are mostly found in the music I love."