Paul Thorn

Singer-songwriter Paul Thorn was discovered by music executive Miles Copeland while playing in a Tupelo, Mississippi pizza parlor. His most recent album is A Long Way From Tupelo, the first of his recordings to make it into the Billboard Top 200 album chart.

Fast Facts:

1. Born in 1964 in Kenosha, Wisconsin
2. Record Labels: Perpetual Obscured Records
3. Often sung in church as a child
4. Worked in a chair factory for 12 years
5. Former professional boxer and skydiver
6. Son of a Pentecostal preacher
7. Song "I'd Rather Be a Hammer Than a Nail" based on a boxing match with Roberto Duran
8. Toured with Sting, John Prine, Marianne Faithfull, Jeff Beck

Albums

1. Hammer and Nail (1997)
2. Ain't Love Strange (2000)
3. Mission Temple Fireworks Stand (2002)
4. Are You With Me? (2004)
5. A Long Way From Tupelo (2008)

Career Overview

After being signed in 1997 to A&M; Records, Thorn recorded his first two albums, Hammer and Nail and Ain't Love Strange for the boutique imprint of Miles Copeland, brother of Police drummer Stewart Copeland. He moved to Back Porch Records for his 2002 follow-up, the roots rock collection Mission Temple Fireworks Stand. His 2004 release, Are You With Me?, was recorded for EMI and introduced an R&B; and soul influence to his music.

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