Paul Cauthen Cancels Shows After Drug Arrest in South Carolina


THIS STORY HAS BEEN UPDATED – Police: Multiple Drugs Found During Paul Cauthen Arrest


Paul Cauthen has cancelled his performance Friday night (5-19) in Knoxville, TN at The Concourse, as well as his appearance at Loretta Lynn’s Hurricane Mills Ranch at the Tennessee Motorcycles & Music Revival for Saturday (5-20) after being arrested for possession, manufacturing, and distribution of drugs. Cauthen’s performance on May 18th at Suck Bang Blow in Murrells Inlet, South Carolina was also cancelled, but the venue says weather was a factor in the cancellation.

Paul Cauthen was arrested on Thursday morning, May 18th in Isle of Palms, South Carolina, and charged with possession of a Schedule I controlled substance, as well as manufacturing and possession of controlled substances with the intent to distribute in Schedule I, II, and III. A bond was set at $2,275.00 for the possession charge, and $25,000.00 for the manufacturing and distribution charge. Cauthen posted the $27,275.00 bail, and was released later that day.

Paul Cauthen posted on his social media pages, “Sorry folks. Some things have happened and we won’t be making these shows unfortunately. We will go into further detail in time. God bless all of you. Be kind to one another,” but offered no further information.

Saving Country Music reached out to the publicist for Paul Cauthen for further comment. Mary Moyer states, “Paul was arrested for marijuana possession in Isle of Palms, South Carolina on Thursday morning. He is out on bond now and looks forward to telling the rest of his story soon.”

UPDATE: Paul Cauthen was also charged with possession of prescription drugs Xanax and Diazepam. Also in the bust, heroin and cocaine were found on Cauthen’s tour bus, though he was not charged for these drugs.

Saving Country Music also queried the Isle of Palms Police Department about the nature of the arrest and the specific drugs involved, but they had no further information at the time.

Originally from Texas, Paul Cauthen began his career in the duo Sons of Fathers with David Beck. The duo released two albums produced by Lloyd Maines before Cauthen started a solo career, releasing his debut album My Gospel in 2016. Since then Cauthen has become known for his billowy Johnny Cash-style voice and delivery, and most recently for infusing country music with soul and disco influences.

Called “Big Velvet” by his fans, Paul Cauthen has a history of using and selling drugs. He was arrested in high school for marijuana possession, and after violating parole, went to prison for six months. Afterwards he moved to Colorado, and claims he was part of a larger marijuana selling operation across several states, taking the money he made in the operation and re-investing it in his music career.

Paul Cauthen grew up in a religious household, and his father was a song leader in the Church of Christ.

More information if/when it becomes available.

THIS STORY HAS BEEN UPDATED – Police: Multiple Drugs Found During Paul Cauthen Arrest

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