The Ponte Vedra Concert Hall, in partnership with Flying Saucer Presents, proudly welcomes Tupelo, Mississippi’s charismatic roots-rock singer/songwriter Paul Thorn and his band to the Concert Hall.  The son of a preacher man, Mississippi-raised Thorn spent much of his childhood in church, participating in multiple weekly services with his father as well as at neighboring African American congregations, where he became entranced with the music whose infectious spirit is captured on the his new album, “Don’t Let the Devil Ride”. “This is the culmination of my whole life in music, coming back to my gospel roots,” says Paul Thorn about his newest album. “My message on this record is ‘let’s get together’ — I want to help lighten your load and make you smile.” The album collects soulful songs originally cut by black southern gospel groups and features guests Blind Boys of Alabama, the McCrary Sisters, the Preservation Hall Jazz Horns, and Bonnie Bishop.

“Don’t Let the Devil Ride” was recorded at three temples of sound: the Sam C. Phillips Recording studio, whose namesake gave another son of Tupelo his start; at FAME Studios in Muscle Shoals, where Thorn worked as a songwriter for legendary producer Rick Hall early in his career; and at Preservation Hall, where horn players from the celebrated jazz venue lent songs a New Orleans vibe. The new release marks Thorn’s first time recording gospel music, after a dozen albums in roots-rock mode, though his upbringing has previously been reflected in his creation of a body of strikingly original songs. In his own songwriting, Thorn often addresses the foibles of human relationships, although he doesn’t favor the sacred over the profane.

Doors 7:00pm / Show 8:00pm

Visit the Ponte Vedra Concert Hall website for additional information and to purchase tickets. Tickets can also be purchased at their box office and at the St. Augustine Amphitheatre box office.