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Paul Thorn Brings Razor‑Sharp Soul and Swagger Back to 3rd & Lindsley in Nashville
It was just what the doctor ordered as Paul Thorn opened the first of a two-night return engagement on Friday, January 30, 2026 at 3rd & Lindsley in Nashville, Tennessee. Thorn was in town as part of the current tour for his most recent Life Is Just A Vapor album that was released just under a year ago in February 2025.
Paul Thorn opens a two-night stand at 3rd & Lindlsey in Nashville. The title of the record - originally inspired by a Bible passage - was particularly timely to recent events on the ground in Mid-Tenn. It had only been a week out since the worst ice storm in modern history (composed of frozen water vapor) hit the region and effectively shut the venue's door until Friday's welcomed re-opening. Many in attendance were just happy to be able to get out of their homes as the devastating extreme weather event left hundreds of thousands in Davidson Country without power and unable to leave their residences. Paul delivered a remedy to everyone’s woes by opening his show with the Stonesy riffs of "A Heart Like Mine" - setting a loving tone and warm beat for everything that followed throughout the night. What did transpire for the next 90-minutes included the airing of most of the tracks from Life Is Just A Vapor with "Geraldine & Ricky" - about an evangelist and her ventriloquist dummy - getting the biggest response from the crowd. "Chicken Wing" - inspired by Thorn's Wal-Mart greeter who was a pimp in a previous life got a similar reaction.
An intimate evening of music at the famed Nashville nightclub was just what the doctor ordered. When we say response - we mean laughter - deep, guttural and uncontrollable laughter that is a typical sound at Paul Thorn concerts. You see - the critically-acclaimed musician who was raised by a Pentecostal preacher and whose first chosen profession brought him into a boxing ring against the legendary Roberto Duran - could have just as easily been at home on stage at Zanie's as a stand-up comedian. It's one of the reasons fans keep coming back. Another reason, of course is the music! Thorn and band took to the 3rd & Lindsley spotlight in a classic five-piece configuration to present a masterclass in roots-rock storytelling, hot southern soul stylings and sly showmanship. Thorn delivered a set that was part Heartbreakers and Little Feat stewed together in a musical gumbo that was both reverent and raucous. Paul and company blended his signature wit with a deep musical groove that had the packed house cooking right along. Thorn delivered one knockout punch after the other as he paced the concert as he was still in the boxing ring. For us, the first hit came early with the fire and brimstone imagery and blues explosiveness of "Mission Temple Fireworks Stand" that put Paul's ability to expertly mix the quirky, sacred and profane into one heavenly musical moment fully on display.
Seen in Nashville - cool schwag and a Beatles cover band. As promised, the show closer and encore - "Everything's Gonna Be Alright" followed by "Get You a Healin'" offered a real moment of healing and comfort before sending the 3rd & Lindsley faithful back out into the frigid night air to face the still lingering challenges currently impacting Music City. But, for a little while - everything was most definitely alright thanks to the sturdy and reliable presence of Paul Thorn - and, he was set to do it all over again on Saturday. Opening for Paul Thorn were Beatledudes - a talented trio featuring Thorn's longtime bass player Ralph Friedrichsen, Steve Allen and Rick Schell who put a quality musical spin on The Fab Four as a three piece in Nashville. Highlights of their 13-song set included "Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da" that gave the patrons at 3rd Third & Lindsley a chance to sing along soon followed by authentic takes on "Eleanor Rigby", "Taxman" and "Two of Us". In between, promotional banter from the band let the audience know that they were available to be booked for private parties, bar mitzvahs and the like. SETLIST: A Heart Like Mine | Mission Temple Fireworks Stand | Old Stray Dogs & Jesus | Chicken Wing | I Don't Like Half the Folks I Love | Tough Times Don't Last, Tough People Do | Ain't Love Strange | Old Melodies | Rocks | Wait | Geraldine & Ricky | I Love You Like a Cigarette | Life Is Just a Vapor | Long Way From Tupelo | She Will | I'm Just Waiting | Holy Hottie Toddy | Everything's Gonna Be Alright | Encore: | Get You a Healin'
The new Paul Thorn record; 3rd & Lindsley celebrates 35 years in Music City. Related Links: For more information on PAUL THORN and the other organizations mentioned please visit the following links - Paul Thorn | Beatledudes | Paul Thorn Band Lands a Knockout Punch at the Ryman | 3rd & Lindsley Bar & Grill
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