By Andy Danyo
Every so often, we get a letter from a listener complaining about the overabundance of singer-songwriters on the program. Here is an excerpt from one of my favorites:
Dear Bob,
I look forward to the variety and wisdom of your program. As much as that is so, I do not look forward to the singer-songwriter segments you present; ….. just as television fills time it otherwise know not what to do with by bringing in minor celebrities to cook on camera, so does radio call upon two-bit singer/songwriters to blather endless faux sociological explanations of the trivia they try to sing about.
Just for the enlightenment of all the NPR, PRI and XM intellectuals (if the shoe fits…?) who don’t know an augmented fifth from a large bottle of Jack Daniels, songwriting must be the easiest and craftiest of all the crafts on earth in which one can indulge him/herself. . . And to carelessly apply the term ‘artist’ to any disheveled, failed poet who disguises his/her inadequate verbal offerings in repetitive plinky-plunk mediocrities of musical notes is to insult those, living and dead, who are or were musicians and lyricists.
It is a sad sign of our times that for every poor excuse for a comedian and ‘musician’ who appears on national television and radio, one can find at least one truly talented and creative (and underappreciated) comedian and MUSICIAN in any high school inthe United States of America.
Otherwise, please keep up the good work!
A listener from KY
Well, I apologize ahead of time, Listener from Kentucky, but today you’ll be getting another one. His name is Paul Thorn. And even if you don’t like his music, I’ll be very surprised if you don’t like his stories. Some of the best are the ones about the things Paul did before he was making a living as a musician: tambourine gig at his dad’s tent revivals, McDonald’s fry guy, professional boxer. As you’ll hear in the interview, Paul was a pretty good boxer. In 1987, he went seven rounds against three-time world champ, Roberto “Hands of Stone” Duran, in a nationally-televised fight. Paul lost, but the headline in the New York Post the next day was “Duran Survives Bloodbath.”
You can watch the fight:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0X4DsmYZ-fo (“This video is no longer available because the YouTube account associated with this video has been terminated.”)
Paul Thorn and Bob talked for more than an hour, and we had to edit down about a fourth of their conversation to make room for David Broder. One part that made me sad to cut was Paul talking about his fourteen-year-old daughter Kit, who wants to follow in her dad’s footsteps. There’s a gem of a clip of Paul performing one of his songs with Kit. She plays the clarinet like a champ, but her voice is super-impressive, too. The song is about someone Paul knows. . . the story is true but her name has been changed.
Paul Thorn sings Joanie, The Jehovah Witness Stripper with his daughter, Kit, at the New Daisy Theatre in Memphis, watch it:
I will admit that we do have our fair share of singer-songwriters on this program, generally Southern. One of the reasons, as Paul Thorn proves, is that they are almost always guaranteed to be good talkers. And that makes good radio.
If you want to know more about Paul Thorn, check out his website. That’s also where you can see some of his Howard Finster-inspired art.
Andy
I heard the first Edwards' interview of Paul Thorn about five years ago and I still remember it. Thorn is a wonderfully self-deprecating wit. Thorn's best line in the interview: "Hit the one in the middle." Give it a listen.
I loved the interview with Paul Thorn. Music adds flavor to life. The better the music the better the flavor. Paul's music…..tastes great. He writes "real" songs that get straight to the heart instead of the drivel that normally comes out of Nashville, NY, or LA. I'm a 40 year old accountant. My sons are teenagers. We all have Paul on our ipods. "You Might Be Wrong," "I Don't Like Half the Folks I Love," and " I Have a Good Day" WOW!
Characters like Paul Thorn is one of many things I love about being from the south. He is the classic "good ol boy" who is smart, funny and talented but doesn’t need to prove it. His voice, sense of humor and humility remind me of folks I grew up with — although no one in my circle of friends had his talent.
Paul from Alabama
I’m listening to the Paul Thorn interview now (the rebroadcast), and couldn’t disagree more with the Kentucky intellectual. How can you not love the stories? I love the Bob Edward’s Show, and listen every day at work. Sometimes I wonder whether some of the musician segments will be worth listening to at the beginning, but I can truly say that I am always enlightened, amused, and entertained.
The Paul Thorn interview was one of the best things I’ve heard on radio ever. Wide ranging, engaging, funny, thoughtful – great fun to listen to. And if the interview wasn’t enough, the pride in his face while performing with his daughter in the posted clip seals it for me. Absolutely wonderful!
If Bob Edwards and Paul Thorn were athletes, the conversation between them showed them at the top of their respective games. Bob Edwards had a great story in Paul Thorn,and got it without getting in the way. I was bowled over by Paul Thorn even before I heard a single note of his terrific music. (How could I not be charmed by someone who is funny, smart, and a failed McDonald’s fry cook?) Thanks to both of you.
My husband and I have been Paul Thorn fans ever since I heard him perform live on our local Memphis all volunteer radio station WEVL. I was hooked with his song- "800 pound Jesus". It’s about finding a concrete statue of Jesus at a yard sale! Not to mention "Burn down the Trailer Park" and many others. We own one of his paintings and all of his albums. He is truly an amazing guy. He performed live in Memphis over the holidays with his daughter (hearing them sing the Jehovah Witness Stripper Song together was an out of mind experience, for sure). And he talked about his younger daughter whom he calls Pop Tart, because she is so sweet, and how he gave a chicken CPR when they went to a friends to see the baby chicks! He is authentic and multi-talented and I am so glad he got national exposure on the show. I appreciate your having him on! You might look into Kate Campbell next- she is another southerner and preacher’s daughter, I believe.
Well, it was certainly more interesting then Hem… 😉
What a great interview! Hearing that Paul "failed" at McDonalds, to go one to a great career in music (and maybe art), was refreshing to say the least! He sounded truly grateful for his life, which is probably key to the enjoyment he is experiencing. Thanks again for hosting the interview. Your show is a weekend "must".
I liked the Paul Thorn interview. As an over the road trucker, who listens to about 100 hours of radio a week, different is good. Paul Thorn sure is different. The music was good and the stories were great.
Loved the Paul Thorn interview. He obviously loves what he does and his positive attitude was inspiring.
The musicians, actors, directors and artists are my among favorite interviews and they all have something to say, from which we can learn. As a matter of fact, I would love to see more film /television and multimedia composers on your show. How about 1 a month until you run out? (might take a while…)
Jonathan Cazenave
As a born and bred Kentucky boy I appreciate many of guests you have on your show. So many times I have flipped on the XM radio and been introduced to some gem that I otherwise would have completely missed out on.
Thank you for bringing these people to my attention. Keep up the good work!
Sean in KY
Being from Kentucky myself,I have no problem telling the Kentucky listener that after reading your post,I now know the definition of a total bore.I guess you enjoy the sound of your head ringing as you speak.That was one of the most brainless posts I have ever read.And the sad part is you’re probably highly educated.If writing that"crap" is so easy,how come I don’t see any of your stuff out there.You don’t know what your missing,between the music and friends you meet through the music.Sad,Sad,Sad.
I’ve been a Paul Thorn fan for about a decade. He is lovely in person at his shows — a genuinely nice guy. He seems like he is truly grateful that the audience shows up. My favorite track is "Where was I" from his "Ain’t love strange" disc…but there are lots and lots of others. Go see him in person–you owe it to yourselves!
I loved the Paul Thorne interview. I love just about all the segments you do with musicians. You do the research and treat them as if they were friends, not fawning over them as many entertainment show hosts do.
Paul Thorne was a wonderful way to start my day. I’ll go to his website and buy the CD to show support.
Lonnie Wilson
Bakersfield, CA
Please don’t ever feel like you have to apologise for any guest selection you make for the show. I very much appreciate the wonderful selections you make and the opportunity to witness that which otherwise would be missed if the criteria were only "perfection." Paul Thorn, like many other of your guests, are exciting people and their special "spirit of life" needs to be shared. Thanks
Jon Haag
Fort Stockton, Texas
The interview with Paul Thorn was a riot! If this didn’t win over the "Listener from Kentucky" then I don’t know what will. I live in Chicago and already checked his website for tour dates. Sadly he’s not stopping here, but is playing in Milwaukee, and I may just drive up to catch his show there. My tip is to check out the newest disc by Kane-Welch-Kaplin (Kieran Kane, Kevin Welch, Fats Kaplin) and get them on the show sometime.
John Soss