TYBEE BEACHCOMBER | FEB 2020 33
a band group like this one, all staying together for such a number of
years. Since 1997 is a long time, and I had to ask what his secret was
to keeping the show on the road and from people not bailing out. Paul
said, “Respect each other. Have private rooms. Be kind and respectful
to everyone around you.” That should be a daily exercise for all of us.
Paul Thorn is so beloved by his home city of Tupelo, MS, that March
27th has officially been named Paul Thorn Day!! So, how freaking cool
is that?? Paul stated that “I thought you had to get assassinated” to win
an award of that caliber! He has also been awarded the Key to the City
twice! Twice! Not to mention the Mississippi State shaped guitar he was
gifted as well, and it’s because he gives back to his community and
treasures his roots. Paul said because of all of this hard work, he has
gotten out of a few speeding tickets!
Asked about his biggest influences, Paul always goes back to the
Church. Followed by John Prine and Kris Kristofferson. Paul is a huge
fan of his fans and you can tell. He is very thankful for those people
in front of him that clap him and the band on and keep supporting the
band. It takes a lot to keep the show on the road and the touring is the
toughest part. Away from his wife and two daughters is the real hard
part, but the fans make it worth the while to the extended leave from
home. He says, “Everyone has been given a skill. Music is mine,” and
he will continue to share it with us as long as he can.
After my interview with Paul ended at Agave, the nine people at the
table behind me were enraptured!! “That was Paul Thorn?! What did he
say? Were you interviewing him? What is going on? We traveled from
Cleveland to be here tonight to see him!” The Hunger, Busch, Kmetz
and Ranney Family were all about it and have followed Paul for many
years. I asked them to tell me why and their answer was, “He is a real
human being and you can tell in his music and his live shows. He is a
storyteller. Oh, and his music is awesome!!”
So off to the concert I went and I have to give a brief shout-out to
the opening band - The Part Time Blues Band were bad ass!!! They
totally set the scene for the Paul Thorn Band by getting everybody in
the theater amped up and ready to go! When they come back to Tybee
(and they will), the entire island needs to be there. They were that
good!!
Back to Paul! That man and that band can rock a stage! Just a soul
thumping shake your ass good time was had by all, and at the end of
this amazing show, when Paul cruised down the aisle hugging people
and shouting it, well, that is truly a man that appreciates his fans
and his fans appreciate him! What a show!! If you aren’t smiling and
shaking a body part by one song in, then you have a problem. All the
songs are relatable and have that bass thump that just gets you up
and out of your chair. What a great time!!!
On that note, we all have John Branigin to thank for this fantastic
show at the Post Theater! In memory of his wife, Judy, who passed
away this last year, John produced this whole show (except the
sound and lighting) and coordinated it all. To top it all off, in Judy’s
name, Tybee Wishes received a donation of $7,500 and the Tybee Bar
Church received a donation of $1,500!!! Thank you so much John for
all of your hard work in getting this show together and let’s all raise a
glass to Judy Branigin! Great lady that left Tybee way too soon.
Paul Thorn is coming back to Tybee soon, so when those tickets
come up for grabs, y’all better grab! Part Time Blues too!!! I’m telling
you Tybee, don’t miss round two of these bands! Great time had by
everyone! See you at the next show!