Paul Thorn

02.22.2008 -- Feature by: John Walker

Thorn grew up the son of a Pentecostal preacher in Tupelo, Mississippi, and began to sharpen his abilities to perform in front of others in church at the tender age of 3. Enjoying this attention, Thorn branched out and initially launched his career in boxing. It was after his fight with the immortal Roberto Duran that he felt getting hit in the face was not for him.

In 1997, Thorn launched a music career that was slow going at first. After some growing pains, and learning experiences, Thorn has begun his ascent toward the mountaintop. Touring with such greats as John Prine he has captured his own following, which is growing immensely each year. Releasing his newest CD entitled Long Way From Tupelo on his own aptly named Perpetual Obscurity label, Thorn is sure to reach new heights, and more fans.

He took some time from his busy schedule to sit down with me to discuss his thoughts and new CD.

AR - You just got back from a cruise with Delbert McClinton, Fred Eaglesmith, and others on Delbert’s Sandy Beaches Cruise. How was that?

PT - Yes, I did. This was my third time to do it. I was able to take my whole family with me, and we all had a ball. I did not have to play a lot, so it was more like a vacation for me. I was able to hang out with some other artists that I admire too. Raul Malo (former lead singer for the Mavericks) was there, along with the great Jimmy Hall (accomplished former lead singer for the Wet Willies), who is one of the best singers I have ever heard. It was wonderful.

Well, I appreciate you taking an opportunity to talk with me. Congratulations on your new CD, titled Long Way From Tupelo. This is your eight CD correct?

Yes it is. You got all eight, right?

I have seven of the eight. The only one I am missing is ‘Still No Hits.’ I have thoroughly enjoyed them all by the way.

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(laughs) Well thanks. Glad to hear it. You need to get over to our Web site and get that other CD though.

I will do that. Speaking of your Web site, http://www.paulthorn.com/, I must tell you that it is by far one of the best I have seen. It is very informative and easy to use.

Well thanks. I appreciate that.

I have attended a couple of your shows, and I know one way you utilize your Web site is through your e-mail list that you pass around at your shows. Can you tell me a bit about that?

Yes, we try to get a list of people that are familiar with me and my music, which attend my shows, and keep them informed when I come back in their area. That way, they tell a friend, and maybe they will come to our show next time too. Hopefully, our crowds get bigger instead of smaller, so I can bring the whole band.

Your Web site is offered a special pre-order package on your new CD, which includes a live bonus CD. How is that going?

To be honest, we are stunned. It has gone really well. We are just scratching our heads. It took some time. This is the age of the Internet. Building up our email list, having the Web site, touring. All those things in tandem really have paid off. It took a while, but it is a wonderful thing.

Perhaps one reason that you do not receive a lot of airplay on the radio is you can not be labeled in any one genre. Your music is a terrific blend of country, rock, folk, and blues. Have you ever considered going in one direction, if so what?

Not really, because I have had opportunities to have major record deals, but I just have never really been into it. I have seen how it works. If you get a major record deal, they basically tell you where to stand, what to wear, what to sing. You do not get to be an artist anymore. It is not real art to me. You become more an opportunist than an artist. They are just doing it to be famous. Sure, I would like to be famous. In this business, that is how you make a good living. But, I do not want to be embarrassed by my work.

I read in another interview where you once joked about being in a Wal-Mart, and seeing someone purchase a one of those popular country artists CDs and you said that was part of your problem, competing with all this music that is not real. Is that true?

I don’t have anything against the artists personally. I am sure they work hard, and do their best. It’s just that what they do, does not speak to me. They have a different demographic.

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There has been a lot of discussion recently about the use of software when recording CD’s that makes everything pitch perfect, regardless of how the person actually sounds. Is this true?

Yes, that is very true. Technology has got to the point where you could go to your corner food mart, and just pick someone at random and make them a star. They can take anyone and make them sound like Aretha Franklin. Really, that is why there is such a saturation of artists because the A&R people don’t have to dig for the real talent anymore. They just spit them out. But, the flip side of that is most of today’s artists do not have long careers, because you can only fool people for so long. When they get up somewhere, try to sing and sound terrible, people will know.

Don’t you think they should be forced to disclose if the software was used to make the CD?

(laughs) What they should do is just like on those weight loss commercials, so small that you need a magnifying glass to read it. It should say this stuff don’t work, it has not been tested by people. They clearly tell you if you can read it that this stuff is all crap.

Well, let’s talk about your new CD, Long Way From Tupelo. The thing that hit me about this CD was that all the songs seem to make a poignant statement about lessons learned in life.

(laughs) So you have actually listened to it.

Sure have. Several times in fact. The first song that I would like to ask you about is “I’m Still Here.” Knowing about your lyrical past, I was wondering where you were heading when the song starts out with your neighbor getting hit by a car and killed, but it makes a strong valid point doesn’t it?

Yes it does. There are people falling down everywhere, but you know we are still here and living. It is a true blessing to still be alive and well.

And you got Huey Lewis playing harp on this song as well. How did that come about?

Well, I have known Huey for several years. We have done a lot of shows together. On that song, we wanted a strong harmonica, and he is one of the best. So, I asked him, and he was all for it. He didn’t even charge for me for it, which was nice.

Perhaps the best rocker on the CD is the title cut, “Long Way From Tupelo.” I bet your wife really likes that one, huh?

(laughs) She hates that song, man. I told her it is all tongue in cheek. You know, I have not given her any reason at all not to trust me, which may be why I can get away with writing songs like that. But, she doesn’t care for that part about keeping a secret from my wife in the song.

So there is no true-life experience that created this song, huh?

No, no. You know what really inspired that song was when I was 12 years old I found a Hustler magazine on the side of the road while riding my bicycle. I hid it out in the woods for 3 months, going back about every day to look it over. (laughs) It was a pivotal moment in my life. The story in the song where the guy’s car breaks down and he is rescued by a girl that lives out in the middle of nowhere is actually one of the stories in that magazine.

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And it stuck with you that long, huh?

Sure did. And you know the term “long way from tupelo” means what people do in secret. Some people have misunderstood the title and think I am reminiscing about my wonderful hometown, but the song is not about that. It is about doing the wrong thing and trying to keep it a secret.

I thought maybe you would blame it on your friend and writing partner Billy Maddox, telling your wife that it was all Billy’s idea.

No, I wouldn’t do that. Billy is a straight up guy.

I did not realize until researching for this interview that Billy had written “If Heaven Ain’t A lot Like Dixie” for Hank Williams, Jr.

Yes, he wrote that before I met him. I was 17 when I was introduced to him. He has been a huge mentor for me. He taught me how to write a song. I am 43 now, and we are still working together.

Well, he did an outstanding job. One of the things I really enjoy about your music is it has meaning, passion, and really makes you think.

Thanks man. I try to say something with each song. Not everything I might have to say is important, but I try to say something with my music.

The song “All About People,” starts out with a stripper. Seems like on most CD’s you have at least one song on each that mentions a stripper.

Absolutely. I don’t frequent strip clubs, but I have known several strippers. That is a very tough life. You have to deal with a lot of strange people. They put up with a lot of crap, and most of the times do not enjoy what they are doing. I have a lot of respect for someone that can deal with that.

The song “Woman to Love” is a great song that really accentuates your passionate vocals. Can you tell me about that one?

You know there are 5 times more women on the face of the earth than there are men, so I got to thinking what if monogamy is wrong. What if we are supposed to have 5 women. But, in the end that will not work because it is hard to keep 5 women happy. So, I gave up on that philosophy. It is just a simple song about what every man wants deep down. They want one woman to love and one woman to love them back. It is about praying for the wrong things and then finally figuring it out.

How about the song “Crutches”?

That is a song I wrote to help people with addictions, and give them some hope. It is really a sad situation when something like that happens, so I just wrote this song to give them something to hold onto.

It does a great job of that I believe. I got to tell you, my favorite song on the CD is the final cut called “When the Long Road Ends.” I think it is you at your best, with just an acoustic guitar. It accentuates the positives in life very well.

Well, that is my favorite song as well. I appreciate you saying that. My two sisters are the ones singing background on that one too. Even though it is not the most dynamic song on the CD, it is my favorite because to me it has the most to say. Everyone should be proud of their accomplishments, and enjoy who they are. Live life to its fullest, and be able to look back proudly and smile.

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Well, your point came across very well, because that is exactly what I got out of it too. Speaking of family members, how is your daughter handling her new claim to fame with the video clip release of her singing with you recently on stage? She sounded very good.

She loves it. People have really been complimenting her, and I am very proud of her. In fact, she is going to join me again on stage next week at my show here in Tupelo.

Is that something she is considering as a possible career?

Well, she wants to sing. I have tried to stress to her to do it because you love it, but it is a very difficult thing to break through with. Go to school, get your education, and don’t rely on singing completely.

You of course had a very distinguished boxing career, highlighted with your match against Roberto Duran. You have also mentioned your love for skydiving. Are there any other hobbies you would like to share that may surprise some?

Well, I collect lunchboxes from 1970’s TV shows. I enjoy collecting things from my childhood. You know, when we were kids, we only had a couple of TV channels available to watch, and cartoons were only on Saturdays. They came on at 6am and went off at noon, and I watched every single one. So I have researched those shows, and tried to find lunchboxes for every one. It just gives me a warm feeling from my childhood, sitting in front of the TV, and eating a bowl of Sugar Smacks. It was a carefree happy time in my life

I can understand that. Do you ever reflect back on some of your past songs that you have written, and wish you had done it differently, or see where it might have been so much better if I went this way instead?

Sure I do, but I look back and think I did the best I could at that time. You know, it is like looking at your high school picture and thinking at that time you looked pretty good, but looking back at it now it looks pretty ridiculous. I am still proud of all my songs.

You should be very proud of accomplishing so much thus far.

Well thanks. You know, at least I have done something. The only thing I would regret is if I had done nothing. There are winners and losers in the world, and then there are others that just do nothing. They are just zombies walking through life. To me, that is the worst kind. There is nothing wrong with losing, if you at least tried.

So what would you like to try for the future? Any plans?

Well, I just want to continue doing the right things in life. I hope to keep my family together and happy. Music wise, I hope to continue to grow, and write more songs that I enjoy, and hopefully others such as you enjoy too. I don’t want too much.

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Have you ever considered writing a book, either about your life or as an attempt to provide help to others, much like you do with your music?

Actually, I have. I have been writing stuff down for years, and I got it all piled away. I just want to wait until my profile is a little more meaningful, because I don’t want to print a lot of books and have them sitting in my garage. In my mind, writing a book is a lot like putting out a record. If no one knows who you are, they are not going to sell. So, I want to grow a little more before I write a book, but yes I do want to do that sometime.

So what kind of music are you buying and listening to on your own?

The last record I bought was the Chipmunks Christmas record. I enjoy listening to it quite a bit. Here again, it just reminds me of my childhood. It is weird, because the stuff I listen to is really nothing like what I put out. I enjoy listening to the 80’s music a lot recently, perhaps because of my high school days. There is not much new stuff that appeals to me quite honestly.

You also enjoy traditional country. Is that right?

Absolutely. I love that too. You know, what they are calling country today is not country at all. I really don’t know what it is. It sounds like 70’s pop to me. There are a few traditional artists left like Alan Jackson, George Strait, but there are not many. It just seems like stuff that is selling millions is being bought by 14 year-old girls, you know.

That does seem to be the target doesn’t it?

Yes it does. It just is not real country anymore. I tell you something else I have been listening to quite a bit recently is Elvis Presley’s Sun Records box set. That is good stuff right there. It really has a good vibe to it.

Well, your new CD is truly a blessing. It speaks to me, and I know it will hit the mark with many others as well. I appreciate you taking time to discuss it with me.

I enjoyed it. I appreciate your interest in my music. Thanks a lot.

You can catch Paul out on the road all over the country. Check out his Web site for his tour schedule, and perhaps buy the special release for his new CD while there.. Paul will also be appearing as a guest musician on Late Night with Conan O’ Brien on Wednesday, March 19th.