The Story of TopSpot USA – Rock Shows, Rappers, and the Road to Reality

As Anime 3000 was thriving, Sean found himself drawn to another passion – music. The worlds of anime and rock bands may have seemed miles apart, but for Sean, they were just different stages for storytelling. In 2007, alongside his friend Frankie Nobile, he launched TopSpot USA – a platform to spotlight local musicians and give rising talent a place to shine.

It was Sean’s first collaborative project. With Frankie’s background in radio promotions and Sean’s production skills, they set out to capture South Florida’s music scene – starting with local bands on MySpace.

TopSpot USA wasn’t just a hobby. It was where Sean began to think like a media producer. Planning shows, crafting interviews, and strategizing promotions became his new obsession. Booking rock artists and rappers felt like a step up from the voice actors and podcasters he worked with on Anime 3000. It felt bigger.

The real turning point came when Frankie introduced Sean to Gaston De La Vega, a local radio personality. Together, they organized their first live event – a multi-band rock show at Churchill’s Pub in Miami. The thrill of producing events, booking artists, and documenting the scene left Sean hooked.

Then came Blake – a West Palm Beach band that stood out from the crowd. Sean and Frankie first saw them at The Talent Farm, a small local venue. They convinced the band to do an interview… in the bathroom.

A few weeks later, rumors swirled – Blake was on the verge of signing with Fueled by Ramen, the powerhouse pop-punk label founded by Pete Wentz of Fall Out Boy. Soon after, Blake transformed into Hey Monday, with Cassadee Pope stepping into the spotlight.

Watching the band evolve gave Sean a front-row seat to the music industry’s messiness. Allegedly, the label only signed Cassadee, leaving the rest of the original lineup behind. Some members joined Hey Monday, while others formed New City Lions.

Sean and Frankie supported both bands – covering shows, filming interviews, and capturing their journey. But as Hey Monday’s star rose, the dynamic shifted. One night, before an interview, Cassadee quietly asked them not to bring up “the Blake stuff.” It was a small request, but it left Sean feeling like the invisible line between fan and professional had been crossed.

The final sting came when Hey Monday declined an interview altogether. It wasn’t the first time an artist said no – but after following their journey from the start, it felt personal. Sean understood, but the encounter marked the end of an era. Cassadee went on to win The Voice and launch a solo career in country music.

TopSpot USA wasn’t just about rock bands. One day, while heading into Target, Sean’s phone rang. On the line was Brandon, a local producer inviting him to film Flo Rida’s birthday party in South Beach.

This was peak Flo Rida – “Low” was dominating the charts. Sean and Frankie jumped at the chance. At Cameo Nightclub, they found themselves surrounded by Rick Ross, DJ Khaled, and Ace Hood. The footage, it turned out, was for a rising artist named Montana Tucker.

Their work didn’t stop there. They followed Montana to fairs and recording sessions at The Hit Factory with Scott Storch. Suddenly, TopSpot USA wasn’t just about indie bands – it was diving headfirst into hip-hop.

In 2008, Warped Tour became their next big adventure. Frankie suggested they apply for press access, and Sean used his experience with Anime 3000 to pitch their work. To their surprise, they were accepted.

That summer, they covered Warped Tour stops across Florida – Miami, Orlando, Tampa, and St. Pete. Sean and Frankie interviewed Gym Class Heroes, Cobra Starship, The Academy Is, and even a rising artist named Katy Perry.

For five years, they followed Warped Tour down the coast and beyond – capturing hundreds of interviews. By the end, bands were requesting TopSpot USA by name, impressed by the quality of their work.

But behind the scenes, cracks began to form.

After one particularly exciting stretch, Sean and Frankie pitched themselves to the William Morris Agency in Los Angeles, dreaming of landing a reality show. They left the meeting with a bruised ego – an experience they called “getting Swiss cheesed”. The holes in their pitch were glaring, but it fueled their determination.

MTV eventually came knocking, but the deal never materialized.

As they traveled back to South Florida, another offer surfaced – starting their own record label. Fueled by excitement (and funding from Frankie’s fiancée), they produced a second showcase at The Talent Farm, featuring bands from across the country.

But the dream unraveled fast.

The man promising the label deal disappeared – taking the investment with him. Sean had also been counting on a major production contract for summer income, but it fell through at the last minute. With no paycheck and mounting debt, Sean found himself homeless, sleeping in his car.

Even as his life spiraled, Sean kept TopSpot USA running, pouring every dollar he made into the project. But eventually, the weight was too much.

By 2012, TopSpot USA quietly shut down. Frankie shifted gears, becoming a paramedic and firefighter, while Sean began piecing his life back together.

TopSpot USA burned brightly – full of excitement, lessons, and unforgettable stories. And while the project ended, its legacy lived on, shaping the way Sean approached every community he built from that point forward.