Forest began his music career as a radio host, where he shared his passion for heavy metal music with new audiences. He discovered a love of bluegrass music, drawn to the fast rhythms, strong community, and technical challenge of the genre. In 2020, Forest joined Honey Buckets bluegrass band as a guitarist and vocalist, playing bluegrass festivals across the Southwest. Now he has gone on to play nation-wide at festivals, theaters, universities and won the 2025 AZ State Flatpicking Championship.

In 2025 he formed Forest Thurman & Friends, leading a rotating lineup of top notch players with multiple 1st place contest wins. Forest also plays solo shows and is a sought after pick up performer for other bands due to his versatility, high energy, and charismatic stage presence. In addition to performing on stage, he is often hired by music festivals to lead evening jams because of his large repertoire, high energy picking, and gregarious personality.

Forest Thurman & Friends is high-energy band led by Forest Thurman, a singer, songwriter and 2025 AZ State Flatpicking Champion. With a talent for bringing together musicians who can shred, he applies skillful and intricate musicianship to hard drivin' Bluegrass, Country, and Americana. Formed in 2025, they have played festivals through the Southwest, Universities, Theaters and have multiple 1st place contest wins. With diverse musical influences, Forest Thurman & Friends are guaranteed to bring the party energy to every show, riveting audiences with syncopated rhythms, tight harmonies, rockin’ solos and foot-stompin’ fun.

Forest Thurman is the guitarist and a vocalist for Honey Buckets, playing festivals, music venues and special events throughout the Western United States. Along with Devin Wilcox on mandolin, Mike Stern on banjo and Brian Dragoman on bass, Honey Buckets are a high-tempo, energetic bluegrass band raised on heavy metal and Southern California smog.