The Paul Thorn Band

The Paul Thorn Band plays the Musical Instrument Museum on Saturday, October 24, 2026, at 7:30 PM. It's part of the MIM's 2026 Concert Series, sponsored by Sanderson Lincoln.

Thorn has spent three decades turning soulful grooves and small syllables into songs that pack a big wallop, balancing blues, rock, gospel, country, and soul in a singular strain of Americana. He's the son of a Pentecostal preacher from Tupelo, Mississippi — the same town that nurtured a young Elvis — and he's built an original, roots-based career around that. Over the years he's shared stages with Bonnie Raitt, Mark Knopfler, Sting, and John Prine, appeared on Late Night with Conan O'Brien and Jimmy Kimmel Live, and been the subject of numerous NPR features. Critics have called him "a natural-born Southern storyteller with humble stage banter and musical delivery that's gritty and gruff," while American Blues Scene noted that "Thorn's humor and empathy shine through his music, making it both relatable and uplifting." He once even battled four-time world champion boxer Roberto Duran on national television.

For this show, he's backed by a full band: Ralph Friedrichsen on bass, Dr. Love on keyboards and tambourine, and Jeffrey Perkins on drums. Tickets are $49.50 to $54.50, and the show is currently sold out. If you're a member who gives $500 or more annually, you get 10% off. The concert is at the MIM Music Theater, 4725 E Mayo Blvd in Phoenix, starting at 7:30 PM.