The Track Star Podcast

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Latest Episodes:

Sheryl Crow Teaches Us About Her Top Music Influences Sep 30, 2026

Show notes

On today’s episode of the Track Star Podcast, we are honored to be joined by a once-in-a-generation, 9-time Grammy-winning artist, singer, and performer. Jack is joined by Sheryl Crow, who launched herself into the forefront of the music world with her hit single, “All I Wanna Do”, and quickly cemented her superstar status by winning the Grammys for ‘Best New Artist,’ ‘Record of the Year’ and ‘Best Female Pop Vocal Performance’ just two years later. Since then, she has won six more Grammys and has become a major advocate for environmental causes and breast cancer awareness. Sheryl Crow shares her journey to stardom and how the legendary artists and songwriters she worked with throughout her career, like Prince and Dolly Parton, shaped her music. Through personal stories and anecdotes, Sheryl Crow makes us feel like we are right there with her as she reflects on the experiences that made her the star she became: both inspiring and heartbreaking. Sheryl’s new album Pick You Up will be released on October 9th.

This Episode's Tracklist:

Soak Up The Sun - Sheryl Crow

Dreams - Fleetwood Mac

Little Red Corvette - Prince

I Will Always Love You - Dolly Parton

All I Wanna Do - Sheryl Crow

Freedom Bus - Sheryl Crow ft. Jesse Welles

(You Make Me Feel) Like A Natural Woman - Aretha Franklin

(You Make Me Feel) Like A Natural Woman - Carole King

Testing Queen Latifah's Music Knowledge Sep 28, 2026

Show notes

Today on Track Star*, we are quizzing the legendary ‘90s rapper/singer Queen Latifah on some hip hop and soul tracks. As a New Jersey native, Queen Latifah has plenty of stories about her hometown classics. And through each song, she takes us down her musical journey while shocking us with her effortless music knowledge.

With each track Jack plays, Queen Latifah has an intriguing behind-the-scenes story about the artist, giving perspective on her own musical influences through fascinating anecdotes.

This Episode's Track List:

Rapper’s Delight - The Sugarhill Gang

Me & Mr Jones - Amy Winehouse

Jolene - Dolly Parton

I Know You, I Live You - Chaka Khan

Buddy (Native Tongue Decision) - De La Soul

Name It Claim It - The Clark Sisters

Just Another Day… - Queen Latifah

Grandmaster Flash Explains How Rap First Started Sep 23, 2026

Show notes

On today’s episode of the Track Star Podcast, we are joined by a guest who pioneered Hip-Hop and DJing as the lead of the legendary group Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, as well as through his groundbreaking dual-turntable techniques. Jack is joined by Grandmaster Flash, who revolutionized turntablism through various cutting, scratching, and backspinning methods, as well as the quick mix theory, involving two identical records played at the same time. In this episode, Grandmaster Flash shares his journey from falling in love with music as a child after discovering his father’s record player, to DJing in clubs and helping popularize the hip-hop style. This Episode's Track List: Find The Man Bros. - The Love Unlimited Orchestra Killer Joe - Quincy Jones Move On Up - Curtis Mayfield Take Me To The Mardi Gras - Bob James Rapper's Delight - The Sugarhill Gang The Message - Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five

Ravi Coltrane Teaches Us How to Listen to his Father’s Catalog Sep 16, 2026

Show notes

This week on the Track Star* Jack is joined by Ravi Coltrane, Grammy nominated saxophonist, bandleader and composer, as well as the son of the legendary John Coltrane and co-owner of the RKM Music record label. Together Ravi and Jack reminisce about the golden age of jazz and one of jazz’s most influential figures through his most iconic tracks.
The soundtrack of this episode takes us through John Coltrane’s transformative career, as Ravi helps describe exactly what made his sound so beautiful. Ravi also shares personal anecdotes about John Coltrane’s recording history and process, while reflecting on the revolutionary legacy that made jazz what it is today.
00:00 - Intro
00:21 - Miles Davis (ft. John Coltrane) - Round Midnight
02:50 - Thelonious Monk (ft. John Coltrane) - Trinkle Tinkle
07:54 - John Coltrane - Blue Train
11:25 - John Coltrane - Russian Lullaby
14:32 - Miles Davis (ft. John Coltrane) - So What
16:09 - Miles Davis (ft. John Coltrane) - So What
17:10 - John Coltrane - Giant Steps
19:58 - John Coltrane - Chasin’ The Trane
24:34 - John Coltrane - Alabama
27:05 - John Coltrane - A Love Supreme, Part I - Acknowledgement
33:34 - John Coltrane - Ascension - Edition I / Pt. 1

Testing this Legendary Punk Journalist’s Music Knowledge Sep 11, 2026

Show notes

On today’s episode of the Track Star Podcast, we are joined by a guest who, in his new book, Resident Punk, shares memories from living with some of punk’s most recognizable names. Jack is joined by Legs McNeil, the journalist known as one of the three founders of the legendary Punk magazine, as well as the author of Please Kill Me: The Uncensored Oral History of Punk and Resident Punk: How I Smoked, Drank, and Stumbled my way through the ‘70s Punk Scene.

Together they reflect legendary figures in the ‘70s punk movement – such as The Ramones, Richard Hell, Heartbreakers, and Blondie – and its origins. Through fascinating personal anecdotes, Legs McNeil guides us through the history of one of music’s most radical genres and shows us the behind-the-scenes of iconic moments.

This Episode's Track List:

Good Thing - Paul Revere & The Raiders

High Tension Wire - Dead Boys

Ghost Rider - Suicide

No Fun - Sex Pistols

Chinese Rocks - Heartbreakers

Detroit 442 - Blondie

Ryan Reynolds and Kenneth Branagh Go Head-to-Head | Track Star Versus Sep 09, 2026

Show notes

Today on Track Star Versus*, Apple TV's MAYDAY stars Ryan Reynolds and Kenneth Branagh go head-to-head in a battle of music knowledge. The pair test their expertise across ’80s rock, new wave, and pop classics from artists including Queen, David Bowie, Cyndi Lauper and more!

Between competitive guesses, needle drops, and plenty of singing along, Ryan and Kenneth bring their quick wit and undeniable chemistry to an especially lively round of Track Star Versus*.

This Episodes Track List:

Under Pressure - Queen & David Bowie

Every Breath You Take - The Police

Time After Time - Cyndia Lauper

Don’t Get Me Wrong - Pretenders

Freedom - Wham!

Testing Juanes' Music Knowledge Sep 07, 2026

Show notes

Today on Track Star*, Jack chats with legendary Colombian musician and singer-songwriter Juanes. Juanes shows us how his music taste grew alongside him, from Latin folk in his younger years to hard rock and metal, both in English and Spanish. His deep love for all kinds of music shines as he speaks about the iconic artists and songs that shaped him, especially the sounds of his hometown of Medellin, Colombia. His infectious enthusiasm transports us to his childhood and reveals the wide-range of influences behind his artistsry. This Episode's Track List: Black Dog - Led Zeppelin Seek & Destroy - Metallica No Tengo Dinero - Juan Gabriel Adiós Muchachos - Carlos Gardel Vestido de Cristal - Kraken El Amor Después Del Amor - Fito Páez De Música Ligera - Soda Stereo Como Abeja al Panal - Juan Luis Guerra

Testing Andrew Garfield's Music Knowledge Sep 02, 2026

Show notes

Today on Track Star*, we are quizzing Oscar-nominated actor Andrew Garfield on funk, soul as well as some vocal jazz. In this episode, Andrew shares how different styles of music affect his interpretations of the characters he plays, as well as sharing stories about the obscure French Hip-Hop group he was a member of and his life-changing concert experiences.

Watch as he breaks down the soul and vocal ‘purity’ of the timeless classics , and displays the truly special way in which he listens to all kinds of music.

This Episode's Track List:

Tieduprightnow - Parcels

Father Figure - George Michael

Lovely Day - Bill Withers

Mississippi Goddam - Nina Simone

Grace - Jeff Buckley

Water Get No Enemy - Fela Kuti

The Wind That Shakes the Barley - Martin Carthy

Just a Gigolo / I Ain’t Got Nobody - Louis Prima

Testing an NYC Librarian's Music Knowledge Aug 31, 2026

Show notes

Today on Track Star*, we are quizzing a local librarian from the NY Public Library, Dan, and his encyclopedic knowledge of 70s/80s rock. While regaling us with fascinating anecdotes surrounding a range of his favorite artists, his deep passion for music is obvious and infectious. Dan has a remarkable knack for expressing exactly what he loves about each and every track Jack throws at him, creating one of the most entertaining and informative episodes of Track Star* to date.

Dan adds perspective to the artists behind beloved rock classics through captivating details, and remarkably descriptive explanations of musical style, in this terrific new episode of Track Star*.

This Episode's Track List:

Black Cow - Steely Dan

Excitable Boy - Warren Zevon

Gotta Get Up - Harry Nilsson

Ocean Man - Ween

I’m Holding You - Ween

Watching the Detectives - Elvis Costello

Home - Mac DeMarco

Jesus Just Left Chicago - ZZ Top

Makes No Sense at All - Hüsker Dü

In a Jar - Dinosaur Jr.

Testing Dakota Fanning's Music Knowledge Aug 28, 2026

Show notes

Today on Track Star*, we’re putting Emmy-nominated actress Dakota Fanning’s music knowledge to the test with a mix of Southern classics, childhood favorites, and songs that shaped her along the way.

Ahead of her new film The Sun Never Sets, Dakota reflects on growing up between Hollywood film sets and a traditional Southern upbringing, sharing stories from her childhood, career, and the music tied to it all. Watch the full episode as Dakota Fanning puts her music knowledge to the test and shares stories from a life spent on and off screen.

This Episode's Track List:

Little Deuce Coupe - The Beach Boys

Cherry Bomb - The Runaways

Shoes - Lil Wayne

Jesus was a Crossmaker - Judee Sill

Weather for Tennis - Hilary Duff

The Night The Lights Went Out In Georgia - Reba McEntire

Una Palabra - Carlos Varela

Big Bad John - Jimmy Dean