(RockAndMetal.com) (11/3/03)

By Michael Bennett

SULLIGENT, AL - A native of Tupelo, MS, Paul Thorn has taken an unorthodox route to becoming one of the most fresh and entertaining performers to hit the singer/songwriter world in recent years.

A former professional boxer and the son of a Church of God minister, Thorn spent much of his youth traveling with his father throughout the South, playing tambourine at revivals and listening to gospel music.

By the age of ten Paul had taken a keen interest in boxing, and under the tutelage of his uncle, went on to become a nationally ranked middleweight fighter. The highlight of his career was a nationally televised bout with four-time world champion Roberto "Hands of Stone" Duran at Madison Square Gardens in New York. Like most, Paul lost to the champ after being stopped in the seventh round but cherished the experience and decided to return to his first love, music.

After a stint working in a chair factory and playing music by night, Thorn was discovered performing at the local pizza joint by a representative of legendary manager Miles Copeland (The Police, Sting). Shortly thereafter, Paul was flown to Los Angeles, signed to A & M Records and suddenly found himself opening shows for Sting, Marianne Faithful and Jools Holland amongst others. This lead to his acclaimed debut release "Hammer & Nail" for A & M Records followed by a move to Copeland's boutique label Ark 21 for his second release "Ain't Love Strange."

Thorn's third release, "Mission Temple Fireworks Stand" was released on Back Porch/Virgin Music Canada in January of 2003.

While Paul brings humour to his music, he is a well-respected songwriter who sculpts most songs with tunesmith partner, Bill Maddox. He has also co-written with Carole King, Timothy B. Schmidt (Eagles), Kim Richie, Jon Bon Jovi, Brad Roberts (Crash Test Dummies) and Colin James. Such artists as Billy Ray Cyrus, Sawyer Brown, Tanya Tucker and most recently, Toby Keith have covered Paul's songs.

Paul has toured internationally with the likes of Sting, Jeff Beck, Mark Knopfler (Dire Straits), Jools Holland, Marianne Faithful, Richard Thompson, Robert Earl Keen and his personal favourite, John Prine. Paul is on tour in November in Canada with Blackie & The Rodeo Kings. He will also headline some of his own shows to follow up his successful festival performances at the Winnipeg & Vancouver Folk Festivals, Ottawa Bluesfest, Burlington Sound of Music Festival, Salmon Arm Roots & Blues Festival and the North Country Fair.

Paul's Canadian Dates are:

Nov. 5th Le Petit Campus Montreal, PQ
Nov. 7th Barrymore's Ottawa, ON
Nov. 8th The Horseshoe Toronto, ON
Nov. 14th Dreamworks Cafe Penticton, BC
Nov. 15th Dreamworks Cafe Penticton, BC
Nov. 18th West End Cultural Centre Winnipeg, MB

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