Conversations with Zachary Thigpen

Today we’d like to introduce you to Zachary Thigpen.

Hi Zachary, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I grew up in Spartanburg, SC. Started playing music at 12. Formed my first band at 13. I attended Clemson University and graduated in 2010 with a BA in Performing Arts. I played in bands throughout high school and college and moved the Charleston upon graduation. I started working for Guitar Center as well as playing in bands. I quickly learned I was a great salesperson. I moved back to the Upstate several years later and then was offered to open Guitar Center Athens as the General Manager.

I lived in Athens for 5 years running that store and playing in bands. I decided to change careers and moved back to Greenville and attended Carolina Code School and graduated in 2018. I have been working as a software developer and now a product manager for Medprocure since graduating from code school. When in Athens, I started The Grateful Brothers which is an Allman Brothers and Grateful Dead tribute band. We’ve been very successful over the past 6 years and play around the southeast regularly drawing sold-out crowds to mid-level venues.

We focus on the improvisational spirit of The Grateful Dead and Allman Brothers and regularly take their songs to completely unique and new places. I also started an original band, Cash Machine in 2020 and we’re working towards releasing our debut album soon. I currently live in Clemson, SC.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Changing careers was a tough decision and Carolina Code School was very difficult but it’s all been great changes for the betterment of myself.

Bands are fun and I’m lucky to be in bands with my friends but I usually end up taking on all the booking and promo and management myself, just because I kind of can’t help it. That stuff isn’t always fun but it has to be done in order to stay successful.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m most proud of The Grateful Brothers’ evolution musically.

It’s a blast being able to completely trust a band to follow each other through improvisation no matter whether we want to take the music. We’ve sold out Charleston Pour House a few times and played some really big shows at Fall for Greenville and mostly recently The Brooks Center at Clemson University.

I’m proud of Cash Machine’s original music, everyone brings in songs and we all have strong contributions I’m very proud of how unique of a sound we have. It’s hard to be unique today with everything that’s out there.

Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
In the next 5-10 years, I would like to see myself continue to learn and advance in my career, growing into a larger management role at Medprocure and further advancing my skill set. I want to continue to push Cash Machine and continue our evolution as a band, release several more albums and increase our reach and awareness nationally. The Grateful Brothers are on a great track and I’d like to see us move into festivals and larger venues around the southeast. I’m a pretty tireless person, so in general, I would like to see my endeavors continue to grow, progress, and advance and I believe I’m in a position to do exactly that.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.thegratefulbrothers.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thegratefulbrothersband/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thegratefulbrothers
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/gratefulbros
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFm3fo4PvmTkZ5mQ3u5OVfg
• SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/thegratefulbrothers
• Other: http://www.zacharythigpen.com/