BodaciousThang breaks down how she earned 800+ sync placements across major platforms, including Netflix, Hulu, BET, and national commercials. We talk relationships, briefs vs pitching, being “one-stop ready,” joining a PRO, avoiding perfectionism, and the real systems behind getting your music licensed consistently.

What's The Key? is a podcast for musicians, powered by your peers who've unlocked some of the doors.

Connect with BodaciousThang: https://www.instagram.com/bodaciousthang/

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Kofi Agyei joins What’s The Key? to break down what it really takes to build a sustainable career in music. From winning a Grammy early in his career to landing major sync placements with the NBA, NHL, and top TV shows, Kofi shares lessons on collaboration, urgency, automation, and using AI to scale your music business. Kofi has worked with Chaka Khan, Ciara, Brandy, Nicole Scherzinger, Shinee, and countless more legends across all genres of music. He’s recently launched a service called Artist Choice - letting YOU pick your budget when you want to work with him. This episode is packed with real-world strategy for artists, producers, and creatives trying to last in today’s industry.

What's The Key? is a podcast for musicians, powered by your peers who've unlocked some of the doors.

Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whats_the_key/
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Connect with host Broadway B: https://linktr.ee/thebroadwayb
Connect with guest Kofi Agyei: https://www.instagram.com/kofiagyeimusic/

https://kofiagyeimusic.com/

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https://www.patreon.com/theBroadwayB

In this episode of What’s The Key?, host Broadway B sits down with Brenda Carsey — independent artist, curator, and talent buyer — to demystify some of the most misunderstood parts of the music industry.

Brenda shares her firsthand experience submitting her own music for Grammy consideration, becoming a Recording Academy voting member, and what artists actually need to qualify. She breaks down why the Grammys are far more accessible than most musicians think — and where the politics and rules really come into play.

We also dive deep into NextFest, one of the largest indie music festivals in the country, hosted at the LA County Fair. Brenda explains how artists are selected, what talent buyers actually look for, why live performance videos matter more than streaming numbers, and how paid festival gigs really work.

Beyond festivals, this conversation covers ethical booking, building real-world music community, avoiding common mistakes when pitching yourself for shows, and why Instagram alone won’t fill a room anymore. Brenda offers honest, practical advice for artists trying to build sustainable careers — brick by brick.

If you’re an independent artist trying to book better shows, grow your audience, or understand how industry institutions really work, this episode is required listening.

What's The Key? is a podcast for musicians, powered by your peers who've unlocked some of the doors.

Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whats_the_key/
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Connect with host Broadway B: https://linktr.ee/thebroadwayb
Connect with Brenda Carsey: https://www.instagram.com/brendacarseyart/

Chapters
00:00 - Intro & Brenda’s Grammy Consideration
02:20 - How Grammy Submissions Actually Work
04:10 - Becoming a Recording Academy Voting Member
07:05 - Choosing the Right Song for Grammy Consideration
09:40 - Music Video Concepts & Visual Storytelling
12:45 - Inside the Recording Academy Events & Panels
15:10 - What the Grammys Are Really Like (Televised vs Non-Televised)
19:30 - Lessons Artists Can Learn from the Grammys
24:30 - Why Every Song Isn’t for Everyone
27:45 - Getting Involved with NextFest
29:50 - What Makes NextFest Unique for Indie Artists
32:10 - How Artists Are Selected for Festivals
35:00 - The Importance of Live Performance Videos
37:50 - Pitching Yourself to Curators (Dos & Don’ts)
41:30 - Why You Have to Show Up IRL
44:15 - Not Taking Rejection Personally
47:30 - Building Successful Shows Without Oversaturating
49:45 - Why Instagram Doesn’t Fill Rooms Anymore
54:20 - Active Effort vs Passive Promotion
56:10 - Playing Outside Your City & Final Advice

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https://www.patreon.com/theBroadwayB

Actor and musician Glenn Stanton (aka Six String Guillotine), has acted alongside Angela Bassett, Morris Chestnut, and appeared on The Walking Dead. But after the Hollywood strikes and a self-discovery journey, he found himself staring down the darkest moment of his life… and choosing between a 9mm and a six-string guitar.

In this episode of What’s The Key?, we talk about:

• What it’s really like acting with Angela Bassett on 9-1-1
• Shooting on a mega-yacht with Morris Chestnut and finally feeling like “I belong here”
• Landing a 5-episode arc on The Walking Dead and the weird reality of “hurry up and wait”
• The mental health crash after the strikes & tying your identity to bookings
• The night he chose guitar over a gun – and found his real voice
• Creating Afroindigenous Hillbilly Music and why he refuses to “fit” country stereotypes
• Branding, outlaw archetypes & wearing black and gold as armor on stage
• Representation, permission, and why seeing someone like you doing the thing changes everything
  
  
  

If you’re an artist, actor, or musician wrestling with identity, purpose, or belonging, this one is going to hit deep.

If this episode resonates, please like, comment, and share it with a friend who needs to hear it.

Subscribe for more deep-dive conversations with working artists, songwriters, and creatives.

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Connect with host Broadway B: https://linktr.ee/thebroadwayb

Support Broadway and this podcast on Patreon!
https://www.patreon.com/theBroadwayB

Maddi Fraser has lived multiple artistic lives — The Voice, America’s Got Talent, touring the country with Tom Sandoval, singing on stage with Dave Chappelle, writing comedy musicals, going viral on TikTok, and building a real career in Los Angeles.

In this episode of What’s The Key, Broadway B sits down with Maddi for a brutally honest conversation about the realities of reality TV, surviving hostile crowds, finding your voice, protecting your mental health, and leveling up your artistry in a competitive city like LA.
Whether you're a singer, songwriter, working musician, or just love a good behind-the-scenes story… this one is packed.

🔥 In This Episode:
- Surviving the pressure of The Voice
- Why The Voice rejected her — then invited her back
- Being on America’s Got Talent with Tom Sandoval
- Touring the country during the Vanderpump scandal
- Getting yelled at by angry fans
- Going viral on TikTok unexpectedly
- Singing “Creep” on stage with Dave Chappelle
- Moving from comedy → musical theater → pro touring singer
- Why EVERY singer should take lessons
- How to stop sabotaging your voice
- Why 12% of your output determines your success
- The mental game of performing in LA
- Balancing stage fright, comparison, and confidence


What's The Key? is a podcast for musicians, powered by your peers who've unlocked some of the doors.

Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whats_the_key/
Follow on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@whats_the_key
Connect with host Broadway B: https://linktr.ee/thebroadwayb
Connect with guest Maddi Fraser: https://www.instagram.com/themaddifraser/

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Support Broadway and this podcast on Patreon!
https://www.patreon.com/theBroadwayB

Matt Axton carries a family legacy that helped shape American music — and he’s forging his own path on the road today. In this episode, we dig into how his grandmother co-wrote Elvis Presley’s first million-selling hit (“Heartbreak Hotel”), how his father penned “Joy to the World (Jeremiah was a bullfrog)”, and why Blake Shelton’s first big break started… in a guest room over a garage.

Then we get tactical: building community through Americana Joy in LA, landing sponsors that actually pay artists, routing smart tours, and treating your art like a business (production quality + promotion budgets). If you’re an indie artist planning shows, this is a must-watch.

You’ll learn:
- The kitchen-table origin story behind “Heartbreak Hotel” and early Elvis.
- How Blake Shelton’s first hit took flight — and what that says about mentorship + community.
- How to have a successful tour in 2025 and beyond
- Why the music scenes in cities like Tulsa matter right now.

What's The Key? is a podcast for musicians, powered by your peers who've unlocked some of the doors.

Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whats_the_key/
Follow on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@whats_the_key

Connect with host Broadway B: https://linktr.ee/thebroadwayb

Support Broadway and this podcast on Patreon!
https://www.patreon.com/theBroadwayB

Roberto Horns joins us to tell wild stories and hard-earned lessons from being inside the rooms with TDE/Punch & SZA, Tricky Stewart & The-Dream during the making of “Umbrella,” an Akon surprise house visit, a Diddy writing camp, and assistant-engineering on Usher x R. Kelly “Same Girl.”

But the real value is the blueprint: how to turn momentum into streams, build a community that actually shows up, and why the best teams stay loyal like family (he even shares behind the scenes stories from being part of the TDE camp during the Kendrick vs. Drake beef).

What you’ll learn

• How Roberto got in with Punch (TDE) from a single tweet — and what he did next.
  
  
• Practical promo: physical “promo boxes,” paid ads that actually convert.
  
  
• Building your brand and doubling down on content that works.
  
  

If this episode helps you, like, comment, and send it to one artist friend who needs the push. You’re not too late — you’re right on time.

Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whats_the_key/
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Connect with host Broadway B: https://linktr.ee/thebroadwayb

Support Broadway and this podcast on Patreon!
https://www.patreon.com/theBroadwayB

What would you do if your Instagram with 100,000+ followers got stolen? For Goner, it meant starting over — but he didn’t just bounce back, he leveled up. In this episode, we talk about how Goner grew a dedicated fanbase from scratch using live shows, anime music videos, and ultra-personal content.

He opens up about hitting a million streams on Spotify, getting discovered on SoundCloud, building immersive live show experiences, and using social media strategically — even when you’re not in the mood to do it.

We also get deep into mental health, the sacrifices artists make, and why he’s so committed to helping fans feel seen through his music. If you're trying to build your career and stay human doing it, this one’s for you.

🎤 Topics we cover:

• How Goner got discovered on SoundCloud with a $20 mic
• How Anime Music Videos boosted his Spotify numbers
• Losing a 100k follower IG account and how he rebounded from it
• Personal marketing strategies that work in 2025
• Why mental health is at the core of his message
• Touring, show promotion, and using memes to sell tickets
• His mission to help fans feel less alone
  
  
  

📍 Follow Goner:
 IG: @gnrr - https://instagram.com/gnrr
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/7dNAnTCNymUovGgVoNhX3c

💬 Drop a comment below if something hit home — and if you know an artist who needs to hear this, send it their way.

🔔 Subscribe for more real convos with artists building their careers brick by brick.

00:00 - Reaching a million streams as an indie artist

01:20 - Trial and error in music marketing

03:00 - How live shows gave his songs traction

05:10 - Using anime music videos to boost Spotify

08:00 - Building an audience through authenticity

10:10 - Why you need to promote more than once

13:20 - Goner’s viral Taylor Swift cover strategy

15:05 - Rebuilding Instagram after losing 100k followers

18:00 - The power of collaboration and networking

19:00 - Creating immersive live experiences

22:00 - Show promo tactics that actually work

25:00 - Text your friends. Don’t be shy.

26:30 - Why you should re-promote your older music

30:00 - How Goner met his manager through SoundCloud

34:00 - Moving to LA and going all in on music

37:00 - What keeps Goner going when he’s running on empty

41:00 - Using music to help fans feel less alone

43:30 - Where to follow Goner and see him live

Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whats_the_key/
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Connect with host Broadway B: https://linktr.ee/thebroadwayb

Support Broadway and this podcast on Patreon!
https://www.patreon.com/theBroadwayB

Willow Stephens is an indie artist who’s making bold moves — from self-funding her music like a record label, to building a loyal audience on Twitch and going viral on Instagram. In this episode of They’re Good at That Sh*t, she shares how she took out a small business loan to fuel her music career while keeping her masters, opened for KT Tunstall in her hometown, and grew a true fan community online.

🎙️ We talk about:

• How to apply for artist-friendly business loans
• What it’s really like to go viral (and why reposting works)
• Using Twitch to build an active, supportive fanbase
• Treating music like a business without losing the heart
• Collaborating across genres and finding your true sound
  
  

This episode is packed with practical advice for independent artists who want to build a sustainable career on their own terms.

📱 Text "WILLOW" to 55444 (U.S. only) to stay in the loop on her shows and releases

Follow Willow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Willow_Stephens

Are you in Los Angeles and wanting to connect with other musicians and play your tunes? Check out Writer's Round LA every Wednesday at 7:30 at Ivanhoe in Silverlake. It's a showcase and an open mic, so come play an original song and mingle with other amazing singer/songwriters!

https://www.instagram.com/writers_round_la  

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Connect with host Broadway B: https://linktr.ee/thebroadwayb

Support Broadway and this podcast on Patreon!
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How do you go from janitor shifts and three-hour commutes… to engineering sessions for John Mayer, Freddie Gibbs, BJ the Chicago Kid, and Isaiah Rashad?

In this raw, reflective, and inspiring conversation, Sian McMullen opens up about what it’s really like to break into the music industry — without connections, while being underestimated, and while making every mistake you can make in your early sessions.

We talk about:

• How she landed a job at Atlantic Records (without even interning)
  
  
• Her first sessions with high-pressure artists — and what went wrong
  
  
• Working with !llmind and how that led to sessions with John Mayer
  
  
• How being underestimated as a young woman helped fuel her career
  
  
• The exact mindset shift that kept her going when she wanted to quit
  
  
• Why kindness and persistence matter more than clout
  
  
• How remote work is changing the future for engineers
  
  
• Lessons learned from the biggest artists in the game
  
  

🎧 This episode is for anyone chasing a creative career — especially engineers, producers, and women carving their own lane in music.

 📢 Send this to a friend who's figuring out how to break into music the real way.

🔗 Follow Sian: @conductorsian

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Connect with host Broadway B: https://linktr.ee/thebroadwayb

Support Broadway and this podcast on Patreon!
https://www.patreon.com/theBroadwayB