 Held in Challis, Idaho in August, the Braun Brothers Reunion is three days of music featuring esteemed artists from the Texas, Americana, and Red Dirt music communities. This year, the BBR will be held from August 11-13th and will feature sixteen plus artists, including Paul Thorn, who after almost twenty years, continues to expand his fan base with his personal storytelling and engaging live performances. Thorn kindly took the time to call from the road to talk about playing the festival, the importance of family and more. In a few weeks, you will be headed to Idaho to play the Braun Brothers Reunion. With so many festivals and a packed touring schedule, what made you want to take part? I met the Reckless Kelly guys and got to know them over the last of couple years; I like what they do and they like what I do, simple as that. I’m really glad that they invited me and I am very much looking forward to playing their festival for the first time, seeing everyone and making new friends. You play the last day of the BBR. Will you be able to come early and maybe take in other artists? It’s always busy going from one place to the next, so I think we’ll do our show and hang out a little bit. I enjoy listening to other people play, but when you’re at festivals you’re so busy trying to put your performance together that you usually don’t get to see anyone else, but when we do, it’s a treat. I’ve seen you perform in smaller settings around New York - you’re so engaging and are really able to connect with an audience. Many artists say that there's often a difference between smaller shows and festivals, so, do you find that it is easy to make that connection in a larger setting? Well, I’m able to carry it over anywhere I can get people to listen. If they’ll listen I can pretty much have a conversation and a moment with them, but sometimes when you go on stage people are talking and just aren’t interested. If that ever happens you just have to try and barrel through it because you know you can’t always get their attention every single time...but most of the time we do.  Courtesy: Blind Ambition Management The audience at the BBR is a pretty attentive listening audience, so I think you'll both enjoy one another.
Backing up a bit, many people know you were a successful boxer, but what made you make the jump from boxing to music when you did? Well, I got my start singing in the church when I was three years old, but then I went on and became a boxer. And like any boxer, I wanted to be a champion. I got up to a very high level in the sport, but I was never able to become a champion because, quite honestly, I didn’t have that little bit of extra something, that little bit of natural talent that the great ones have. So I took it as far as I could take it and decided I would let boxing go and return to my music, something that I had been good at all my life. Recently I was speaking to someone about how their time on the rodeo circuit gave them kind of a toughness, an ability to persevere, which informed how they approached music. Would you say that boxing had a similar effect on you? Oh yeah. Boxing is all about discipline, working hard and being prepared. A boxer prepares for a fight the same way an artist has to prepare for every show. Your most recent album, Too Blessed To Be Stressed was released in 2014 and it is so wonderfully positive. Is that positivity part of who you are or was it a snapshot of the place you were in at the time? Who I am. There are songs for any and all occasions, including sad songs, but that isn’t where I’m at right now. I feel blessed and happy. That’s what I write about and that’s what I sing about. Music is a great career and I enjoy it. And I’m very thankful for every year that I am able to keep doing it and see my audience continue to grow. One of my personal favorites is “What Kind of Roof Do You Live Under.” Is there any particular story behind that one? Well you know, you can drive through a neighborhood with gorgeous houses, or maybe someone has a nicer or bigger house than yours, but it’s really not about that - it’s about what’s inside the building. If there’s love inside it’s a home, but if there isn’t any love, it’s just a house. If you have love and someone good to be with, then you really have something. Incredibly true. The album speaks many universal truths, but the final song, “No Place I’d Rather Be” touches on your home and the importance of family to you. I wrote that one about missing my family. I love to travel and see the world, but it's hard having to spend time away from them. I split up my tour dates so I go out for a while and then I’m home. It’s a constant back and forth, but that’s because all that I’m doing isn’t worth anything if I don’t have my family. They’re my joy. That’s special to hear. Besides touring, what’s in store for you? Are you planning a new record? I am. I’m just trying to make sure I have songs that’ll stand up. I like to think I set a standard for myself and I wouldn’t put something on an album just because I wanted to fill a record. I want to have good songs that mean something and that people will enjoy. Finally, is there one recent release that you can’t stop listening to and recommend we check out? There’s a record, Alone In The Universe, by a band I listened to a lot growing up, Electric Light Orchestra [now named Jeff Lynne's ELO]. They’ve been around and they’re still able to do it. The record didn’t get that much attention, but it’s a fantastic record - probably my favorite of the past couple years. I must have listened to it a hundred times. Paul Thorn will play the BBR August 13th For more information visit his official website Find him on Facebook and Twitter For all of the information on the 2016 Braun Brothers Reunion, held August 11-13, including tickets, lodging, the full line-up and much more, visit the official website Tickets are available as follows: One Day Pass $50 Two Day Pass (Fri & Sat ONLY) $76.30 Three Day Pass $114.30 Kids age 5 and under get in FREE Kids age 6-12 $15 Kids tickets are only available at gate, day of show.
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