Singer

Guitarist

When it comes to songwriting, less is more, and simplicity is strength. Just ask Paul Thorn, who’s spent three decades turning soulful grooves and small syllables into songs that pack a big wallop. Maybe he learned the power of minimalism from his years as a pro boxer; maybe it just comes naturally. But whether he’s targeting heads, hearts, hips or the occasional funny bone, he somehow manages to condense large nuggets of wisdom into tight little mantras, the kind embroiderers stitched onto pillows before internet memes existed.

Paul Thorn

The Princess Theatre - Center For The Performing Arts

Paul Thorn has spent more than thirty years crafting songs that blend Southern roots, soulful grooves, and heartfelt storytelling. Raised in Tupelo, Mississippi, Thorn began singing in his father’s Pentecostal church before pursuing a career as a professional boxer, even facing legendary fighter Roberto Durán. After hanging up his gloves, he turned to music, releasing his debut album in 1997 and building a devoted following with his unique mix of Americana, blues, and gospel influences. Known for his warm voice and candid humor, Thorn has earned praise for his ability to turn everyday experiences into songs that resonate deeply with audiences.

EPSG:4326

Newberry Opera House

Paul Thorn spent his early life as a nationally ranked prizefighter. After retiring from boxing, Paul began a second career as a singer / songwriter. In 1997 Thorn signed to A & M Records and released his acclaimed debut," Hammer and Nail" and began touring large venues as the opening act for Sting. Since that time, Thorn has amassed a national following and has released nearly 20 albums including live recordings and rarities collections. "Pimps and Preachers" was a breakout hit album in 2010 and began a run of records that made several of the Billboard charts. Paul is currently touring in support of his latest release," Life is a Vapor." He will be accompanied by his stellar band for a show full of great songs and a large slice of humor. The concert will be opened by singer / songwriter and legendary fiddle player Gina Forsyth.

Red Dragon Presents: Paul Thorn Band in Concert

Manship Theatre

Paul Thorn’s latest album, Life Is Just a Vapor, showcases his signature blend of soulful Southern storytelling, wit, and wisdom wrapped in simple, powerful lyrics. With over three decades of songwriting under his belt, Thorn continues to distill big truths into small, memorable phrases - mantras like “tough times don’t last, but tough people do,” and the album’s title track, which captures the fleeting nature of life. Whether he’s tapping into humor, heartbreak, or hope, Thorn’s writing style leans on minimalism to leave a lasting impact.

Lyric Theatre

Paul Thorn and Marc Broussard join forces for their Ruth Eckerd Hall debut after a run of sold-out shows at the Bilheimer Capitol Theatre! Mississippi-bred singer-songwriter Paul Thorn has created an innovative and impressive career, pleasing crowds with his muscular brand of roots music – bluesy, rocking and thoroughly Southern American, yet also speaking universal truths. Paul Thorn has rambled down back roads and jumped out of airplanes, battled four-time world champion boxer Roberto Duran on national television, performed on stages with Bonnie Raitt, Mark Knopfler, Sting, and John Prine among many others, and made some of the most emotionally restless yet fully accessible music of our time. He’s also appeared on major television shows, received numerous National Public Radio features and charted multiple times on the Billboard Top 100 and Americana Radio Charts.

Paul Thorn & Marc Broussard

Ruth Eckerd Hall

Born in Tupelo, Mississippi, raised among the same spirits (and some of the actual people) who nurtured the young Elvis generations before, Paul Thorn has rambled down back roads and jumped out of airplanes, worked for years in a furniture factory, battled four-time world champion boxer Roberto Duran on national television, performed on stages with Bonnie Raitt, Mark Knopfler, Sting, and John Prine among many others, and made some of the most emotionally restless yet fully accessible music of our time. 

Paul Thorn Band – Friday Show – SOLD OUT

Thrasher Opera House

When it comes to songwriting, less is more, and simplicity is strength. Just ask Paul Thorn. Here, he has spent three decades turning soulful grooves and small syllables into songs that pack a big wallop. Maybe he learned the power of minimalism from his years as a pro boxer; maybe it just comes naturally. But whether he’s aiming for heads, hearts, hips or the occasional funny bone, he always hits his target. Further, he somehow manages to condense large nuggets of wisdom into tight little mantras. The kind embroiderers stitched onto pillows before internet memes existed.

Dakota

Some years ago I happened to see Paul Thorn performing on an outdoor stage at a street festival in the heart of a small Mississippi town. Suddenly, in mid song, Thorn stopped playing and looked down at the upturned, sugar-splattered face of a fan on the front row. “I sure would like me a funnel cake,” Thorn announced. The crowd exploded with laughter. By the end of the next song, someone in the audience had responded, and soon Thorn was happily munching on the doughy confection.

Wildwood Smokehouse & Saloon

Born in Tupelo, Mississippi, raised among the same spirits (and some of the actual people) who nurtured the young Elvis generations before, Paul Thorn has rambled down back roads and jumped out of airplanes, worked for years in a furniture factory, battled four-time world champion boxer Roberto Duran on national television, performed on stages with Bonnie Raitt, Mark Knopfler, Sting, and John Prine among many others, and made some of the most emotionally restless yet fully accessible music of our time. He’s also appeared on major television shows, received numerous National Public Radio features and charted multiple times on the Billboard Top 100 and Americana Radio Charts.

Paul Thorn Band – Saturday Show

Gather with friends in an intimate setting to socialize before the show! For an additional entry fee of $25, enjoy complimentary appetizers and a specialty beverage, in addition to our full cash bar and art gallery, starting at 6 pm. The bar door to the opera house will open at 6:40 pm, at which time you may claim your seats. Space is limited! Each VIP Happy Hour can accommodate only 25 people, so reserve your spot now!  Enter through Gallery/Lobby doors starting at 6 p.m.

Vip Happy Hour Paul Thorn Band

Paul Thorn Band – Friday Show

Paul Thorn has created an innovative and impressive career, pleasing crowds with his muscular brand of roots music – bluesy, rocking and thoroughly Southern American, yet also speaking universal truths. Among those who value originality, inspiration, eccentricity, and character – as well as talent that hovers somewhere on the outskirts of genius, the story of Paul Thorn is already familiar. Born in Tupelo, Mississippi, raised among the same spirits (and some of the actual people) who nurtured the young Elvis generations before, Paul Thorn has rambled down back roads and jumped out of airplanes, worked for years in a furniture factory, battled four-time world champion boxer Roberto Duran on national television, performed on stages with Bonnie Raitt, Mark Knopfler, Sting, and John Prine among many others, and made some of the most emotionally restless yet fully accessible music of our time. He’s also appeared on major television shows, received numerous National Public Radio features, and charted multiple times on the Billboard Top 100 and Americana Radio Charts.

Blues singer/songwriter Paul Thorn is the son of a preacher man. His musical career started very early in his hometown of Tupelo, Mississippi. “As a child, I sang in churches,” he said. “My first paying gig was at a revival with my father when everybody came around and put money in my tambourine. After the service, there was a little girl, also about three years old, who I had a crush on. I stuffed the money I got all down in my pockets. After the service, we sat around the back of the church and I bought her a Coke with the money I’d earned. That was my first paying gig, and I guess my first date.

The son of a Pentecostal preacher, he was a champion prizefighter in the 1980s who fought Roberto Duran, a professional skydiver, and a factory worker. Since releasing 1997’s Hammer & Nail for A&M, Thorn has balanced blues, rock, gospel, country, and soul in a singular strain of Americana with songs that embrace the human condition with their humor, irony, pathos, tenderness, heartbreak, grief, anger, and joy.

Brauntex Performing Arts Theatre

Vip Happy Hour Paul Thorn Band 2023

Paul Thorn Band 2023

Blues singer/songwriter Paul Thorn is the son of a preacher man. His musical career started very early in his hometown of Tupelo, Mississippi. “As a child, I sang in churches,” he said. “My first paying gig was at a revival with my father when everybody came around and put money in my tambourine. After the service, there was a little girl, also about three years old, who I had a crush on. I stuffed the money I got all down in my pockets. After the service, we sat around the back of the church and I bought her a Coke with the money I’d earned. That was my first paying gig, and I guess my first date.”

Singer, Guitarist

Paul Thorn

Events

Past events

Oct 10, 2026

Paul Thorn · The Princess Theatre

May 21, 2026

Paul Thorn · Newberry Opera House

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