Hailed as the “Mark Twain of Americana,” Paul Thorn brings his gritty, gospel-infused Southern rock straight from his hometown of Tupelo, Mississippi, where he grew up as the son of a Pentecostal preacher and went on to box in more than 50 professional bouts, including one with Roberto Duran—but that’s another story. Paul’s music mixes the hard-driving boogie of the Allman Brothers with the soulful wit of John Hiatt. If you haven’t already heard him on World Café or All Things Considered, you should know that his spirited songs investigate the mysteries of human nature and explore the exalted territory of love and salvation. “Give your soul to Jesus,” Paul sings, “because your lips are mine.”

His 2010 album, Pimps and Preachers, topped the Americana charts for three weeks and broke into the Billboard Top 100. All Music Guide lauded it as “a great rock & roll album” and The Nation called it “an incredible find.” His latest album, What the Hell Is Goin’ On? (recorded on his own label, Perpetual Obscurity), is a collection of some of Paul’s favorite songs by other artists, from Ray Wylie Hubbard and Buddy Miller to Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nix. The album includes guest appearances from Elvin Bishop, The McCrary Sisters, and Delbert McClinton. Paul’s long-time touring band includes guitarist Bill Hinds, keyboard player Michael Graham, bassist Ralph Friedrichsen, and drummer Jeffrey Perkins. “The guys in this outfit are a tight unit and a well-oiled machine,” Paul says. “I've had the same guys in my band for goin’ on 15 years and they are incredible musicians.” Come out and enjoy their muscular brand of roots music—bluesy, rocking, and full of heart.

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