The Track Star Podcast

10:16

Testing Shania Twain's Music Knowledge

The Track Star Podcast ·

2026/05/18

Today, the always iconic Shania Twain is putting her music knowledge to the test. We met Shania on the streets of New York City and had a great conversation about country music, pop icons, the recording process, and her first big hit, "Whose Bed Have Your Boots Been Under?" Showcasing her broad music knowledge, Shania shared stories about Carole King, Def Leppard, Tanya Tucker, Minnie Riperton, The Carpenters, and Mutt Lange.

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35:41

Ziggy Marley Teaches Us How to Listen to Reggae

The Track Star Podcast ·

2026/05/13

This week on the Track Star Podcast, Ziggy Marley joins us to talk about his passion for reggae, the musical inspirations that shaped him, and the legacy he carries as part of reggae’s most influential family. Jack guides Ziggy through a conversation about the genre’s legends, and together they explore some of the artists who helped define reggae from its earliest days.The discussion begins with Peter Tosh and Bunny Wailer, who, alongside Bob Marley, formed The Wailers in Kingston, Jamaica, in

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8:00

Testing Kareem Rahma's Music Knowledge

The Track Star Podcast ·

2026/05/11

You may know Kareem Rahma from Subway Takes, Keep The Meter Running, or his band Tiny Gun, but today he joins Jack for a wild conversation full of hilarious tangents and Minnesota singer-songwriters. In this episode Jack and Kareem rock out to some iconic bands including blink-182, The Replacements, The Strokes, Semisonic, and many more. Other topics include the Minnesota State Fair, avoiding obscene music rights costs, and debating whether “cool” bands still exist. You’ll definitely want to tune

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48:02

Listening to Miles Davis with His Former Bandmates

The Track Star Podcast ·

2026/05/06

On today’s episode of the Track Star podcast, we’re celebrating the centennial of Miles Davis with three musicians who share personal connections to the legendary bandleader.First, we’re joined by Erin Davis, Miles’ youngest son, who had a firsthand look into his life as a musician, including the year he toured with his father as a percussionist in 1990. Next is Vince Wilburn Jr., Miles’ nephew, who carries forward the musical legacy of the Davis estate and also joined his uncle on stage in the

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9:53

Testing Foo Fighters' Music Knowledge

The Track Star Podcast ·

2026/05/04

On this episode of Track Star* we're joined by rock legends Foo Fighters. Known for their anthemic sound and larger-than-life energy, they bring us through some incredible stories, touching on the songs and artists that shaped them — from punk pioneers to alternative icons that laid the groundwork for their own explosive career. The band dives deep into the records that defined their taste, spanning decades of rock history from The Clash and Van Halen to Sonic Youth and Minor Threat. This episode

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22:01

LIVE: Track Star Presents The Black Keys

The Track Star Podcast ·

2026/04/29

The legendary rock duo The Black Keys blew the roof off our New York studio. These guys have been playing together for over a quarter century, and it shows. The 5-time Grammy winners are back with a new album that nods to their blues roots and reimagines some under-appreciated tracks—and it all started as a casual jam session. You don't want to miss it. Tracklist: You Got To Lose Where There's Smoke, There's Fire She Does It Right Who's Been Foolin' You

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13:11

Testing Elle Fanning's Music Knowledge

The Track Star Podcast ·

2026/04/27

Elle Fanning has spent her life on screen, evolving into one of the most versatile and adventurous leads in cinema today. Known for her wide ranging performances in everything from period dramas to surreal indie films, Elle brings that adventurous curiosity to her taste in music.On this episode of Track Star, Elle joins us to walk through a playlist as eclectic as her filmography. She dives into the emotional dance-pop of Robyn, the cinematic storytelling of Bob Dylan, and the outlaw grit of

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42:56

Testing ERNEST's Country Music Knowledge

The Track Star Podcast ·

2026/04/22

This week on the Track Star Podcast, we’re joined by country singer-songwriter Ernest. Having collaborated with some of the biggest names in modern country music, including Lainey Wilson, Jelly Roll, and Morgan Wallen, Ernest sits down with Jack to discuss the legendary artists who have helped shape both his career and the genre itself.Ernest walks us through what it takes to produce a hit record. Breaking down the tools, techniques, and songwriting approaches he relies on, while also reflecting

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7:10

Testing Dermot Kennedy's Music Knowledge

The Track Star Podcast ·

2026/04/20

Today on Track Star*, we are joined by Irish singer-songwriter Dermot Kennedy. Known for his passionate live performances and poetic lyrics, Kennedy often draws inspiration from folk traditions, hip-hop rhythms, and heartfelt narratives.In this episode, Jack and Dermot talk about Dermot’s music influences citing hip hop legends such as 50 Cent and J. Cole, as well as the introspective songwriting of Tracy Chapman and Bon Iver. The two revisit timeless classics and reminisce about Dermot’s early

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21:57

Testing Flea's Music Knowledge

The Track Star Podcast ·

2026/04/15

Today’s episode of Track Star* brought us face to face with one of the most singular musicians of the past 40 years, Flea. Flea met us outside on a cool day in March and was nothing short of excited to talk about some of the legends whose music he covered on his debut solo album, Honora. Sharing his thoughts on Charlie Parker, Art Tatum, Jimmy Webb, Glen Campbell, Eddie Hazel, George Clinton, and more, Flea dives into the music that moves and inspires him, and shares insights into the lives of the

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10:10

Testing Sam Fender's Music Knowledge

The Track Star Podcast ·

2026/04/13

Sam Fender has quickly become one of the defining voices of modern British rock, earning BRIT Awards and critical acclaim for his anthemic lyricism, powerful vocals, and sharp storytelling about working-class life.This week on Track Star, he showcases the musical influences who helped shape his sound through tracks by Steely Dan, Olivia Dean, Kings of Leon, and Tom Petty. We also dive into some life changing shows and collaborations that prove Sam’s innate love for songwriting and performing live

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65:03

Testing Fab 5 Freddy's Music Knowledge

The Track Star Podcast ·

2026/04/08

This week on the Track Star Podcast, we’re joined by hip-hop ambassador, Fab 5 Freddy. Freddy reflects on the relationships and experiences that shaped his creative journey—starting with his early love of graffiti and expanding into music, dance, film, and beyond. He shares stories about the artists who left a lasting mark on him, including Blondie, N.W.A., Nas, Talking Heads and Q-Tip, while also exploring the influence of genres like punk and jazz on his upbringing. From listening to his own

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11:11

Testing Susan Tedeschi and Derek Trucks' Music Knowledge

The Track Star Podcast ·

2026/04/06

On today’s episode we have two legends facing off in a battle to name some classic rock icons. Susan Tedeschi and Derek Trucks of the eponymously named Tedeschi Trucks Band were naming each artist in a matter of seconds, a true testament to their encyclopedia like knowledge of music. Sharing stories about Jimmy Hendrix, Bonnie Raitt, Carlos Santana, The Allman Brother's Band, John Coltrane, and even Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, Susan and Derek take us on a journey through music history. They

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9:48

Testing Sofia Coppola and Marc Jacobs' Music Knowledge

The Track Star Podcast ·

2026/04/01

On this episode of Track Star* we have a competitive battle between fashion designer, Marc Jacobs and filmmaker, Sofia Coppola. The duo met up with Jack on a sunny spring day in New York to talk about their film "Marc by Sofia." During their conversation, Jack got to know more about their friendship and creative collaboration, and he put their music knowledge to the test. Naming hits from Pharrell Williams and Diana Ross, iconic showtunes from Cabaret and Funny Girl, and New York City classics from

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6:41

Testing LeBron James' Music Knowledge

The Track Star Podcast ·

2026/03/30

LeBron James is one of the defining figures in modern sport, with a career that has shaped not just basketball but music, fashion, business, and popular culture more broadly. Across more than twenty years at the top, he’s become as recognizable for his longevity and influence off the court as for everything he’s achieved on it.On this episode of Track Star, LeBron talks through the songs that shaped his world - from Jay-Z, Nelly, Dr. Dre, and Nas to Whitney Houston and Outkast. He shares stories

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54:14

8 Artists That Are Better Than The Beatles

The Track Star Podcast ·

2026/03/25

On this week’s episode of The Track Star Podcast we have rock writer, NPR critic, and journalism professor Tim Riley who will help answer the deceptively complex question: is there any artist truly better than the Beatles?We’ll discuss the musicians that inspired the Beatles themselves, and who left a historical and cultural mark similar to the legendary four. From the Rolling Stones to Miles Davis and Dolly Parton, we touch a wide range of musical talent that coincide with one another in

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39:17

Testing Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s Music Knowledge

The Track Star Podcast ·

2026/03/18

Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer joins The Track Star Podcast for a conversation that moves from Motown to modern Detroit, using music as a way into the state she represents.Through artists like Madonna, Aretha Franklin, and Eminem, Whitmer reflects on growing up in Michigan, the state’s deep musical lineage, and how Detroit became a global center for sound, from the Motown assembly line to rock and hip-hop. The conversation also opens up into something broader: how listening shapes leadership,

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60:51

10 Songs that Explain Elvis Presley’s Genius ft. Baz...

The Track Star Podcast ·

2026/03/11

Filmmaker Baz Luhrmann joins The Track Star Podcast to talk about Elvis Presley and what made his music and live performances so powerful. Using songs from the new concert film Elvis: The King in Concert, Baz and Jack explore what made Elvis a singular entertainer, from the raw power of “Polk Salad Annie” to the emotional weight of songs like “In the Ghetto.” The conversation traces Elvis’s upbringing in the American South, the unlikely path that led him from Hollywood movie star to Las Vegas

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52:04

Paul McCartney After the Beatles (in 10 songs)

The Track Star Podcast ·

2026/03/04

Academy Award–winning filmmaker Morgan Neville joins The Track Star Podcast for a deep dive into Paul McCartney’s most misunderstood era: the decade after the Beatles’ breakup.Centered around McCartney, Ram, and the rise of Wings, the conversation traces how Paul rebuilt his identity after the collapse of the biggest band in history, examining the backlash he faced in the early ’70s, Linda’s role in shaping the sound of Wings, and why albums once dismissed by critics are now seen as some of his

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45:57

Is Gen-X The Greatest Music Generation?

The Track Star Podcast ·

2026/02/25

Two of the best-performing Track Star contestants of all time return to settle a big question: Is Gen X the greatest music generation ever? Writer, comedian, and self-described “man about town” Robert George and New York City SoulCycle instructor Sue Molnar join Jack for a wide-ranging conversation about growing up with radio, MTV, and a musical landscape that fractured into punk, new wave, hip-hop, industrial, and grunge all at once.Through artists like Blondie, Prince, and Nirvana, the episode

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