While most music podcasts chase mainstream acts and major label relationships, The Scene Projects has carved out something different: a multi-channel media operation that functions as magazine, podcast network, tour promoter, and artist development shop rolled into one. Based in the Upper Midwest with roots in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, the platform has quietly built momentum by focusing on what bigger outlets often ignore—independent creators who need more than just an interview.
The numbers tell part of the story. In 2025 alone, the company surpassed 1,000 uploads and 300,000 views on YouTube. Founder Bubba Startz earned 2024 Content Creator of the Year honors from the Midwest Country Music Organization. The roster of interviews reads like a cross-section of American entertainment: Rock and Roll Hall of Famers Judas Priest, GRAMMY nominees Bill Payne and Cheryl B. Engelhardt, NFL Hall of Famer Ronde Barber, World Golf Hall of Fame member Sir Nick Faldo, and dozens of Josie Music Award winners and nominees captured on the red carpet at Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry House.
But the business model is what sets them apart. The Scene Projects operates as a “dream team” of hosts—each bookable individually for brand consultations and content strategy. Artists don’t just get featured; they’re offered artist promotion and brand elevation services designed to turn exposure into tangible career growth. Testimonials on the site reference benefit concerts organized for causes like supporting a child with Type 1 diabetes, and the company actively books artists onto tours and live shows.
From Regional Roots to National Tours
In 2025, The Scene Projects took its operation on the road through Minneapolis, Chicago, St. Louis, Kansas City, Austin, Little Rock, Memphis, and Nashville. A 10-city tour is planned for March 2026, expanding south and east through Memphis, Dallas, Houston, New Orleans, Mobile, Montgomery, Atlanta, Knoxville, and Nashville. The goal isn’t just content creation—it’s scene-building in cities where independent artists need infrastructure and community support.
The platform’s “Academy” component offers education for creators trying to grow their own podcasts and brands, including AI tools and guest-booking resources. It’s a recognition that many independent artists need more than a spotlight; they need mentorship in an industry that’s fragmenting rapidly.
Partnerships Beyond Entertainment
Social impact runs through the operation. The Scene Projects partners with Operation Combating Veteran Suicide and Angel Cars USA, weaving charitable work directly into tours and events. Their stated mission—”Fuel the Culture. Elevate the Creators. Be the Change.”—positions the community-driven media platform as much more than content for content’s sake.
The company is now targeting business sponsors for its sports and entertainment coverage, including the 2026 tour schedule. With ambitions to become what they call “a household name in the music industry” while maintaining a focus on independent creator development, The Scene Projects represents a bet that there’s real value in building infrastructure for artists who don’t fit the traditional industry mold—and doing it outside the usual coastal media hubs.