The Track Star Podcast

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 1980s. Finally, we welcome one of the greatest bassists in jazz history, Ron Carter. A three-time Grammy Award winner and widely recognized as the most recorded jazz bassist of all time--Carter performed with Miles in the legendary Second Great Quintet from 1963 to 1968.

Together, they guide us through different stages of Miles’ career by discussing several of his most iconic recordings. Carter also reflects on his personal experience performing with Miles and building his own path as a bassist. He describes how, for many years, bass players were kept “behind the palm trees,” treated mainly as timekeepers rather than creative voices, and how it took decades for the instrument to gain broader recognition as a true artistic force in jazz ensembles.

This episode offers a deeply personal look at the relationships, memories, and musical bonds these artists carry with them. We’re excited for you to hear it.

This Episode’s Tracklist:

00:00 - Intro

1:12 - Now’s The Time (Recorded 1945) - Charlie Parker

5:17 - Boplicity (Recorded 1949) - Miles Davis

13:55 - ‘Round Midnight (Live 1955) - Miles Davis (Ft. Thelonious Monk, Zoot Sims, Gerry Mulligan, Percy Heath & Connie Kay)

21:15 - Autumn Leaves (Recorded 1963) - Miles Davis

33:44 - Footprints (1967) - Miles Davis

35:03 - Nefertiti (1968) - Miles Davis

39:20 - Bitches Brew (1970) - Miles Davis (Ft. Wayne Shorter, Bennie Maupin, John McLaughlin, Chick Corea, Joe Zawinul, Dave Holan & Harvey Brooks)

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 is packed with passionate breakdowns, surprising deep cuts, and the kind of genuine enthusiasm that only comes from musicians who have spent their whole lives living and breathing this music. Expect plenty of laughs, big opinions, and an all-around great time.

This Episode's Tracklist:

London Calling - The Clash
Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love - Van Halen
Straight Edge - Minor Threat
Ever Fallen in Love (With Someone You Shouldn't've?) - Buzzcocks
Linoleum - NOFX
Honey Bucket - Melvins
Banging the Drum - Scream
Teen Age Riot - Sonic Youth
Who Are You - Void
Day-O (The Banana Boat Song) - Harry Belafonte
Surrender - Cheap Trick
For Want Of - Rites of Spring
Freight Train - Elizabeth Cotten
This Will Be Our Year - The Zombies
How Fortunate the Man With None - Dead Can Dance
11th Street Kidzz - Hanoi Rocks

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

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 Johnny Cash. We also get into the high-voltage energy of AC/DC and the modern country hooks of Walker Hayes, proving her ears are open to just about every genre. Enjoy!

This Episode's Tracklist:
Dancing On My Own - Robyn
Hurricane - Bob Dylan
You Shook Me All Night Long - AC/DC
Cool - Gwen Stefani
A Boy Named Sue - Johnny Cash
I Love You Always Forever - Donna Lewis
Never Tear Us Apart - INXS
Fancy Like - Walker Hayes

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 on how his process differs from some of his peers. Sometimes, through collaboration, it's the combination of methods that creates the most hard hitting and well received songs. 

We’ll listen to foundational country artists that Ernest grew up with such as George Strait, Merle Haggard, and Keith Whitley, as well as explore the contemporary artists that Ernest works closely with today like Tim McGraw, Megan Moroney and HARDY. We’ll even dip a toe into Ernest’s new album and if you stick around to the end of the episode, you’ll get to hear Ernest play one of his unreleased songs live on the podcast. The tracklist for this episode runs deep, but we promise for this one, it’s worth it.