* Paul Thorn Band (at Bull Run Restaurant)

I get more emails from people to bring Paul back than for anyone. 
OK, here he comes.....

Maybe it's because Paul Thorn is an ex-prizefighter and the son of a pentecostal preacher, but they say that attending one of his concerts is like "taking a 6-pack to church!" Proof to that can be found by listening to his song "Mission Temple Fireworks Stand." The first thing you notice is the voice, distinctively soulful and funky, of a man who has walked a long, hot span over dusty Mississippi country roads. For an artist you may never have heard of, Paul has had a long successful career working with musical giants like Sting, Bonnie Raitt, John Prine and Huey Lewis to name a few. Artists like Tanya Tucker, Toby Keith and Sawyer Brown, have covered his songs, but, no one sounds like Paul.

Hailed as the "Mark Twain of Americana", Paul was born in Elvisville (Tupelo, MS), and had the unique background of singing to congregations since early childhood. Connecting with and getting over with the crowd was in his blood from the start. Thorn was working in a chair factory and playing little gigs at night, like pizza parlors etc., in Birmingham, Alabama when Miles Copeland, manager and brother of Stewart (who drummed for the Police), happened to catch one of these gigs, and "discovered" him. On the road to recording a follow-up to his most successful release, 2010's Pimps and Preachers, which was was #1 at Americana Radio for 3 weeks and has spent 7 weeks in Top 5, the critically acclaimed singer/songwriter decided to do an album of covers. "I wanted to take a break from myself," he reveals, "do something different, and just have fun." The collection, entitled What The Hell Is Goin' On? found Thorn putting his own gritty rock stamp on some of his favorite songs. The album's centerpiece was penned by blues-rock icon Elvin Bishop, who also played his "wonderfully raw and dirty" guitar solo on the tune. Other special guests on the album were Delbert McClinton and the marvelous McCrary Sisters. 

Paul's new album, "Too Blessed to be Stressed," is out now and is probably his best to date. It's full of charmers like Don't Let Nobody Rob You Of Your Joy, where Thorn's warm peaches-and-molasses singing dispenses advice on avoiding the pitfalls of life. And his trademark humor is abundant throughout. I Backslide On Friday is a warm-spirited poke at personal foibles. This album is a masterpiece and whether you already have it or not, you're going to want Paul to sign this one.

"Paul is one of my favorite artists!" - Bonnie Raitt

Watch clips HERE

Buy Tickets