Paul Cauthen kicks off ‘Book of Paul’ tour at the historic Gillioz Theatre

BY AMANNDA G. MAPHIES, Freelance Writer

On a sultry summer’s evening, the 9th of July, Paul Cauthen and band kicked off his signature ‘Book of Paul’ tour with a hungry audience of Springfieldians. The venue was the historic Gillioz Theatre in downtown Springfield. The audience’s excitement was ripe inside the decorative theatre doors. Most concert-goers opted for seats in the general audience section, where they could choose to sit in the theatre seats or dance directly in front of the wooden stage that has hosted countless plays and performances over the years. Others preferred the VIP seats in the second-story orchestra section, along with the private box seats overlooking the stage. 

Cauthen (Photo submitted)

The energy this Tyler, Texas, native brought to our little berg of Springfield was palpable. His modern take on classic country showcased a stark opposition to the traditional space hosted by the Gillioz Theatre. Personally, Cauthen reminds me of a combination of Hank Williams Jr., with his full beard and dark glasses; Johnny Cash, due to his religiously all-black attire coupled with his last album, ‘Black on Black’; and maybe a slight hint of Garth, the country music legend who requires no last name. Cauthen started to play Garth’s signature song, ‘Friends in Low Places,’ but it was simply a teaser to one of his own fan-desired party songs. 

As reminiscent as Cauthen is of these country music legends, he truly cannot be undersold in his own creative right. His stage performance and lyrical depth are divinely unique. His on-stage swagger translates an unbelievable amount of energy and his dance moves, while impossibly unconventional, invite an array of seemingly rabid audience participation. Cauthen is a performer in which you simply cannot ‘sit and enjoy,’ as his music demands full-body attention, preferably in the pit located just below center stage. 

With his signature deep gravel voice, penchant for raw songwriting and a stylized down-home southern Texas swagger, Paul Cauthen may have just gotten started in the music industry, but my keen artist’s eye detects a legend in the making (as do several thousands of his die-hard fanbase). Many of his songs touch a raw nerve, ‘Speaking in Cursive’ is about a personal connection with someone with mental issues, a topic most notable to many struggling in today’s society. 

Cauthen’s songs often have conflicting messages. Born into a deeply religious and musical family, he values the traditional beliefs from his upbringing, yet showcases his wild, party-boy mentality from his early years of lyrical creativity. ‘Angels and Heathens’ is a hit from his album, Black on Black, that outlines the fine line every soul possesses between good and evil. 

A brand-new father to a bouncing baby boy, perhaps Cauthen’s next album will center on life on the road, the boundary between fame and fatherhood, and how to continue reaching a depth within each fan based on his soul-searing, real-life, nerve-hitting songs. 

This concert was a special treat for my oldest son and I. At 16 years of age, he is, admittedly, more of a ‘rocker’ than country music fan. Yet, I could not help but notice his lack of resistance to headshaking, body moving and engrossed entertainment from the energetic crowd surrounding us. 

Special thanks to Cauthen’s media team and the proud managers of The Gillioz Theatre for treating us to an old-fashioned yet modern take on dirt-road outlaw country music, which is the best way I can think to describe Cauthen’s particular brand of entertainment. While Missouri isn’t Texas, the camaraderie found in our fans, coupled with a musician that can sprinkle his southern charm anywhere he lands, made for an energetically entertaining evening. 

Do not hesitate to enjoy a concert at the historic Gillioz Theater. That deep tradition of bringing entertainment to the stage is in full swing with every musician, comic and play it provides. Paul Cauthen definitely left his mark on the Gillioz stage, and in the hearts of each audience member that came to support him. It was a rare treat to engage with his fans and hear, for the first time, several new tracks from his latest album, ‘The Book of Paul,’ that released at midnight on the evening of this concert. What a privilege to behold!