Brandon James Gwinn: Broadway, Tumbleweed and Tori Spelling

Gay Music: In the Key of Q

In the Key of Q is a weekly podcast featuring Queer musicians from around the world as they share stories, inspirations and of course their music.

This week's guest is Brandon James Gwinn, a Live Nation touring artist and Billboard number one indie music producer. He won the Richard Rogers award for musical theater writing. Previous winners include such illustrious alumni as Rent's Jonathan Larson. His most recent album Bullit is a rock delight with glorious splashes of Hedwick, Scissor Sisters, and musical theatre.

Lock two gay men on a call and it is inevitable that within a minute they mention Bernadette Peters. But not to be outdone we also get Better Midler, Katherine Hepburn and Moss Hart in there too!

Brandon talks about the creatively restrictive living of smalltown Murfreesboro, TN. But despite this, his parents and grandfolks managed to fill the family home with REO Speedwagon, the Eagles, Eighties Pop, Glenn Miller and Billie Holiday. With such a gorgeous mix of inspiring music is it any surprise that their boy headed to the bright lights of New York and the dreams of Broadway!

Despite a modest schooling, talented Brandon beat all the odds and made it into NYU training to write for musical theatre. He's a real-life Gabe! Of course, by this point, we've discovered a shared love for the movie Trick and hope that the COVID-delayed sequel will still materialize.

He talks about connecting with Trixie Mattel, and how touring together inspired his Bullit album. And how he's learned to lean on good chums in times of depression. Or to put it better he quotes the great Bette herself!

Episode highlights:

• Brandon's links: homepage, Insta, YouTube, Apple Music, Spotify
• Gateway song: Bullit
• I totally love this video for Cristal Conners possibly because Brandon looks such a dish in it.

If you enjoyed this episode, I suggest taking a listen to Matthew Presidente.

In the Key of Q is a weekly podcast featuring inspiring Queer musicians from around the world as they share stories, inspirations and of course their music.

Theme tune is by Paul Leonidou and many thanks to Moray for his continued support.

The podcast can be reached on email with the main website here. Would you like to appear on the show? Or have an artist you'd like to recommend, please tell them to get in touch via email.

Presenter and Producer Dan Hall is a documentary producer / director, and his showreel can be found here.