Paul Eugene Cannon is a Native American born and raised on the San Pasqual Indian Reservation in North San Diego County. Cannon appeared on American Idol, making it as far as the top 50.
The Paul Cannon Band, with Michael Pratschner (bass, vocals, harmonica, piano) and Christine Cyr (cello, vocals), derives influence from a number of sources, but mostly they define themselves as an acoustic folk pop beach rock band.
Strong advocates for environmental responsibility, the band supports cancer awareness and encourages locally grown organic foods. They’ve been known to donate portion of their profits to underprivileged children through World Vision, Invisible Children, Nika Water, and the Surfrider Foundation.
“There is so much darkness in this world,” says Cannon. “Music is the way we take a stand against it. As a group, we have chosen to keep peace, be light, and stay positive.” The band has also the solar-powered stage of the Kick Gas Festival.
In 2010, the band released a four-song EP called Organic. The next three years found them touring with artists like Tristan Prettyman, and his song "Homegrown" was regularly heard on local radio station KPRI. In 2013, a rewriiten version of the song, subtitled "Padres Version," was adopted by the team as a victory song to be played at ballgames.
“The Padres have also been playing my song in the clubhouse while on the road,” he told the Reader, “and we just landed a placement deal with Fox Sports News so now they will use my song for highlight reels, and bumps in and out of commercials.”