About Us
We play EVERY TYPE of MUSIC including all your favorite songs!
This cover band keeps dancers on the floor all night and keeps audiences dazzled by playing variety music for wedding receptions, corporate parties and concerts. We are the best- Motown band, pop band, top 40 band, R&B band, swing band, jazz band, soul band, beach music band and funk band you have ever heard. We play music all over North and South Carolina regularly from Charleston to Asheville and from Greensboro to Wilmington. But we are also popular in Florida, Alabama, Virginia, Maryland and Georgia too.
(The Andrew Thielen Big Band is a veteran owned business. Andrew was a United States Marine Corps officer.)
The very best singers!
The best male and female vocalists found anywhere will bring the house down. We have soulful singers who are great on Motown party songs and R&B classics. We have party rockin rappers that bring the newest hits alive! Gail on far left was on "The Voice" TV show and was selected by Snoop Dogg to continue on in the competition, Kimberly in the middle has been "Aretha" all over the US and Lori Beth (far right) has been the featured vocalist at the Alabama Theater in Myrtle Beach and for shows in Nashville TN for years.
All Live Horns
No sequences & no tracks here. We perform everything live with 8 smoking horns playing the best of Motown, Rock, Pop, Swing and all the latest hits. You'll hear songs like 24 carat Magic, Uptown Funk, Happy, Wagon Wheel, Don't Stop Believing, Flowers, You Are The Best Thing, Boogie Shoes, Sweet Child of Mine, I Love Beach Music, Summer Time is Callin Me, Build Me Up Buttercup, RESPECT, Midnight Train To Georgia, Tennessee Whiskey, September, I Will Survive, Last Dance, Old Time Rock & Roll, Proud Mary, IN The Mood, Sweet Caroline, Still The One, Electric Boogie, Dancing Queen, At Last, Brown Eyed Girl, Holiday Songs, Patriotic Songs and more.
New article on us!
Andrew Interviewed for SC Magazine!
Local StoriesNovember 12, 2025
Meet Andrew Thielen of Andrew Thielen Big Band
Today we’d like to introduce you to Andrew Thielen.
Hi Andrew, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So what is your background and how did you become a band leader? I was born in South Dakota and started playing drums at age seven. Mother and dad were both musicians and teachers. I went to college as an English major in Minnesota but entered the USMC officer course and became a 2d lieutenant upon graduation. My first duty assignment was at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. I fell in love with the south and have never left. I tell people I have always been from the south.....South Dakota and South Carolina.
After leaving the Marine Corps I was a PR man in Wilmington, NC then ran the Little River Chamber of Commerce in South Carolina . All the while I had always dreamed of playing drums again and running my own big band.
I started the big band in 1993 playing for the door in Myrtle Beach at Cowboys Nightlife, and the shag and beach clubs of Ducks, Fat Harolds and Suspenders. As the band got better we became recognized state wide playing for Charleston Place corporate events the Carolina Cup, debutante balls and many weddings. Then we became nationally known and played at the House of Blues and Planet Hollywood. We played for Inaugural Balls in Maryland for Governor Hogan and in South Carolina for Governor McMaster.
Next we played Betty White’s 90th birthday party and a PBS show for SCETV in Columbia. The SC General Assembly hired us to represent the “best of South Carolina” at a tourism expo in Oklahoma. We have also been hired repeatedly for yacht clubs in Key Largo and cotillions in Charleston, Florida, Virgina, NC, & SC and events from Mardi Gras in Alabama to exclusive membership golf clubs in North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and Florida.
This past summer we were hired by Toyota to play for an awards incentive retreat for their very best car dealership OWNERS in Banff Canada. Most events we play are private but people can see us every New Years Eve at the “Sanctuary” at Kiawah Island. It is a thrilling event for all.
About the band.
Why are we so successful?
1. Let’s start with the music. The sound of a big band for dancing feet is thrilling. Live trumpets, trombones and saxophone create the fullest sound of music you will ever hear that has maximum energy. But that’s when the big band is top notch.
Unfortunately many “community big bands” have players that blow the dust off their horn for the annual summer concert in the park once a year and sound as dried up as they look. They may have a warbling singer do a couple tunes. THIS IS NOT US. That’s Great, Great Grandpa’s big band.
Our big band is a FRESH, powerful, professional ensemble of ONLY THE BEST musicians and singers in NC, SC, GA, AL, VA & Fl. It’s an all star cast of talent including many former Disney and theater singers and one who was a successful contestant on “The Voice.” The band drummer is nationally acclaimed as one of the best.
2. This big band is professionally run. WE have a top notch sound and light show and have about thirty five matching tuxedo vests and tie sets we wear that match our female vocalist’s cocktail dresses. NEVER T-shirts and jeans.
3. Our music is not the old fashioned big band material. We have brought the sound and our music up to date. We have very horn driven, soulful renditions of Carolina beach music, rock classics, 70″s & 80’s hits and great dance music of today. Ever hear a big band play Shania Twains’s “Still The One” or Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believing or Guns & Roses “Sweet Child of Mine?” ? Well you will with us. How about some great horn filled Motown songs like “Midnight Train to Georgia, RESPECT or Neal Diamond’s “Sweet Caroline?” We get them ecstatic on the dance floor for all this music. Plus we have written our big band charts for all ages. Our big band has a way of making all music exciting yet palatable for every taste.
Of course for the purists and swing fans we may play one or two big band classics like “In The Mood” or “Sing Sing Sing or New York, New York” or another swinger, but we position them at the perfect moment in between many more of the top dance tunes of the past 50 years through the night.
This big band is a dancer’s dream band and that’s why we are asked to play everywhere.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Struggles?
Sure all businesses have them.
Getting some “jazz music cats” to play more variety was originally hard. But now that some of them have seen how good this band is and how much fun our music is….I don’t encounter that anymore.
Also discipline. Musicians and artists are not always time savvy. But OUR Big Band is always on time, sharply dressed and extremely polite and appreciative to the crowd. I don’t allow hats, ball caps or cases and jackets anywhere on the band stand. Breaks are few. Grooming standards are top notch for gal singers and all who perform.
Any big plans?
We are planning on doing a new recording of the band.
More videos for prospective clients to see on Youtube & Social media.
We have also begun doing some original music that corresponds with the events we do and places we have played.
Titles Include ” Toyota Groove”, “Shag at The Debutante Ball”, “SWingin Through the South” and “Brass Is Back.”
Pricing:
- Price for big band for 3 hrs w no breaks
- Pricing avail for 4 hrs with one break.
- Instrumental music/ jazz trio for dinner hour.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.bestbigband.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/andrew.thielen1/
The BEST Band gets asked back year after year.
Here we are playing for the Governor of South Carolina at the annual Carolina Cup. The Governor's wife loves the band and they ask us back year after year to play for the Governor and Tom & Virginia Anne Mullikin. Tom was the commanding General of the SC State Guard.
We love to get the bridesmaids into the fun. I mean they need to be featured somehow for getting all those matching dresses, right?
Here we are playing a wedding at the Francis Marion hotel in Charleston for the McLeod family. They liked the band so much we played all THREE of their sons weddings.
Very recent notes TO we have received~
Beaufort, SC Soireee
Wedding Booking over 1 year out!
Wedding Booking over 1 year out!
EMAILS & TEXTS WE LOVE TO GET:
May 10, 2025
Saturday night we played in Beaufort, SC for a fantastic gala event.
"Andrew,
We could not have had a more professional, passionate, talented and engaged band.
Thank you so much jumping in to aide the live auction and thank you to your band members for their spirit, talent and gracious personalities.
We have never had a chorus line at any of our past 40+ Soirées! 
A definite testament to you and your magnificent band and vocals.
Please share our appreciation and admiration.
With grateful appreciation,
Lise "
AND......"Andrew...You and your ensemble were as good as it gets. I considered it a privilege to listen to you all."
AND....."Andrew...I have been to almost all the soiree's our society has put on over the past 25 years and your band was the best entertainment yet."
AND...."Andrew, the Big Band was awesome! We’re still receiving so many thank-yous and grand compliments for the event from our attendees and volunteers – ‘blown away!
Big hugs all around!!"
Thanks everyone. The band had a blast too!
Wedding Booking over 1 year out!
Wedding Booking over 1 year out!
Wedding Booking over 1 year out!
EMAILS WE LOVE TO GET.
May 5, 2025
The following note is from the mother of the groom. How cool it is to be so appreciated!!!!
Hi, Andrew!
THE 3rd MCLEOD son, Scott, proposed to his girlfriend, Ashley, on Saturday. We can't have a wedding without your band, so we'd like to know which Fridays or Saturdays you might be available in March, April, or May of 2026. Scott and Ashley would like to be married in Charleston, but they haven't chosen a venue yet.
Would you please let me know when you might be able to play in Charleston?
Thanks very much!
Gay
Hired for 14 years in a row!
Wedding Booking over 1 year out!
Hired for 14 years in a row!
Some people just know how to make your day. I received such a nice message from Mr. Charles Haigler yesterday. In the note to me he had pictures of many of the men from the past 14 years who were Kings & Phantom Hosts of this dazzling Alabama Mardi Gras Ball we play every year. Underneath their pictures it said "Andrew Thielen Big Band fan club." WOW! Every one of these gentlemen had the responsibility to produce a ball for 1600 to 2000 people in a huge civic arena. Each of these men are highly regarded in Montgomery, AL. Charles Haigler has his own beautiful new Chevrolet-Chrysler-Dodge- Jeep car dealership called Greenville Automotive Group. Davis H. Smith is a Partner with Smith and Bradley Tax Lawyer Law Firm. Henry Moore is a VP of a wealth advisor Group and Carlyle Chandler heads his own real estate company. To say they are a fan of my big band is a great honor for me. I love em all like brothers and continually tell everyone....you have no idea how classy and charming, well dressed and polite, sincere and warm----Alabama people are. I wish we played many more events in that wonderful state. Alabama gentlemen and ladies both treat us so well and I cannot wait to return. Next year the Mardi Gras ball will be on Valentine's Day. Maybe if you know the right peeps and are real lucky...we will see you there.
Andrew Thielen Big Band & Charles Kelley IN NC
Charles Big Hit
"Need You Now" was a massive crossover hit and earned 4 Grammy's.
Loretta & Kimberly
Our vocalist's are always a hit and Charles remarked at how great they were as they picked up the background harmonies to rock the house.
Charles Kelley of Lady Antebellum sang with us then posted on facebook & instagram how he loved this band!