Sparks/Reno, Nev. – Paul Thorn credits his gift of gab to being the son of a Pentecostal preacher. Thorn has a lot about himself to tell. One would expect to hear great stories from a guy who boxed Roberto "Hands of Stone" Duran on national television, made chairs for a living, skydives for fun, had his first singing gig at age three, and who happens to be one of the South's finest songwriters. Paul Thorn doesn't disappoint. Check him out April 26 in the Celebrity Showroom at John Ascuaga's Nugget.

Thorn hails from Tupelo, Miss., and as the son of a Church of God minister, he traveled with his father, playing tambourine in church revivals. Before he pursued music as a career, he became fascinated with boxing and learned how to box from an uncle who had moved from Tupelo to Los Angeles. By his teens, he was winning fights and ultimately turned professional. In 1987, he fought Roberto Duran on national television.

In time, he quit boxing and worked in a furniture factory by day, playing in area clubs and restaurants at night. While performing at a Tupelo pizza joint, he was discovered by a representative of legendary manager Miles Copeland (The Police, Sting).

Thorn made his first record Hammer & Nail for A&M Records in 1997 then moved to Copeland's boutique label Ark 21 for Ain't Love Strange in 1999. His third album, Mission Temple Fireworks Stand, was released in 2002 on Back Porch/Narada, followed by Are You With Me? in 2004.

He has toured extensively, frequently as a special guest of musicians such as Toby Keith, Sting, Mark Knopfler, Jeff Beck, John Hiatt, Richard Thompson, Robert Cray, Marianne Faithfull and John Prine. In addition, he has co-written with artists as diverse as Jon Bon Jovi, Timothy B. Schmit (The Eagles), Kim Richey and Carole King. He is also a prolific painter.

 Paul Thorn plays one night only, Saturday, April 26 at 8 p.m. in the Celebrity Showroom. Tickets are just $15, and are available by calling (800) 648-1177 or (775) 356-3300 or by visiting janugget.com. Dinner and show packages are available. “Do the Nugget Tonight!”