Paul Thorn would have no problem holding his own if some unruly audience member unwisely singled him out for a physical altercation. Before settling into his career as a soulful singer and songwriter, Thorn spent a brief period as a professional boxer, once landing in a nationally televised fight with former world champion Roberto Duran. Discovered playing tunes in various clubs by Miles Copeland (brother of Police drummer Stewart Copeland), Thorn has since channeled his hard-knock stories into some rollicking Southern rock and blues. Having opened for such artists as Sting, Mark Knopfler and Jeff Beck, the Mississippi-raised Thorn has scored his biggest success yet with his most recent album, the autobiographically thread “Pimps and Preachers.” Thorn performs at the Canal Club on Friday, Feb. 18, at 7 p.m. $15-$18.
Friday, Feb. 18