Paul Thorn

Paul Thorn is an American Southern rock, country, Americana, and blues singer-songwriter, whose style is a mix of blues, country, and rock.

Biography Thorn was raised in Tupelo, Mississippi. Before his professional music career began, he was a professional boxer, where he established a respectable 14–4 record. Boxing career highlights include winning the Mid-South Middleweight Championship in Memphis, Tennessee and culminated with a nationally televised bout with former world champion Roberto Durán. What the Hell Is Going On was Thorn's first album to feature the songwriting of other artists and the second record of his to debut on the Billboard Top 100 during its first week of release.

Thorn has toured as an opening act for Huey Lewis & the News, Sting, John Prine, Marianne Faithfull, Mark Knopfler, Robert Cray, Bonnie Raitt, Jerry Jeff Walker, Toby Keith, Jeff Beck, and Tab Benoit.

In 2014, Thorn released Too Blessed to Be Stressed, which he described as a collection of "positive anthem songs." "I wrote these songs hoping they might put people in a positive mindset and encourage them to count their own blessings, like I count mine," Thorn observes. "There's no higher goal I could set for myself than to help other people find some happiness and gratitude in their lives." The album features several prominent artists in that genre such as the Blind Boys of Alabama, The McCrary Sisters, Bonnie Bishop, and the Preservation Hall Jazz Band.

Later that month, the Mississippi House of Representatives named March 27 'Paul Thorn Day' in recognition of his constant support of his home state. On May 7, 2018, Mississippi Public Broadcasting premiered a special featuring Thorn's current tour titled "Mission Temple Fireworks Revival," which features special guests such as the Blind Boys of Alabama, The McCrary Sisters, Bonnie Bishop, and the Preservation Hall Jazz Band.

In 2019, Thorn's lead electric guitarist of 30 years, Bill Hinds, parted ways with the band. In a statement on Thorn's website, Hinds explains that he is starting a new chapter in his life, but will remain a musician. Hinds spot in the Paul Thorn Band has been filled by Chris Simmons, a guitarist from Alabama, who played in Leon Russell's band for five years.

In May 2020, multi-Grammy award-winning vocalist and pianist Diane Schuur released an album, featuring a cover of Thorn's, "Everybody Looks Good at the Starting Line."

Tales & Ales On February 1, 2019, Thorn released the first episode of his interview and performance style video series, Tales & Ales. Since then, the show has featured several artists including John Oates, John Paul White, Foy Vance, Tommy Emmanuel, and Kingfish.

Discography Studio albums Title Details Peak chart positions US US Rock US Heat US Indie Hammer and Nail Release date: June 17, 1997 Label: A&M Records — — — — Ain't Love Strange Release date: July 27, 1999 Label: Ark Records — — — — Live at Short Street Package Store Release year: 2000 Label: Perpetual Obscurity — — — — Mission Temple Fireworks Stand Release date: August 13, 2002 Label: Narada/Perpetual Obscurity — — — — Are You With Me? Release date: 2004 Label: Back Porch — — — — So Far So Good: Best of the Paul Thorn Band Live Release year: 2005 Label: Perpetual Obscurity — — — — A Long Way from Tupelo Release date: February 19, 2008 Label: Perpetual Obscurity 191 — 7 27 Pimps and Preachers Release date: June 21, 2010 Label: Perpetual Obscurity 83 24 — 12 What the Hell Is Goin' On? Release date: May 8, 2012 Label: Perpetual Obscurity 88 31 — 12 Too Blessed to be Stressed Release date: August 19, 2014 Label: Perpetual Obscurity 92 27 — 15 Don't Let the Devil Ride Release date: March 23, 2018 Label: Perpetual Obscurity Never Too Late To Call Release date: August 6, 2021 Label: Perpetual Obscurity — — — — "—" denotes releases that did not chart