Testing Ken Burns’ Music Knowledge | The Track Star Podcast

The Track Star Podcast returns with filmmaker and historian Ken Burns for a wide-ranging conversation about music, storytelling, and the American experience.

Across the episode, Burns reflects on the two major music projects of his career, Jazz, and Country Music, and what drew him to each. Through songs by Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Jimmy Rodgers, Hank Williams, Patsy Cline, and more, he explains how the two traditions evolved side by side, shaped by shared histories and ongoing musical exchange.
Along the way, Burns also discusses his approach to filmmaking, why he resists “careerism,” and how music shapes the rhythm and pacing of his edits.

Listen to our extended playlist for this episode:
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2T2ifZCXINQL6EsJ9SGeAY?si=9292472ded5b4c60
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/playlist/the-track-star-podcast-episode-13/pl.u-9N9LLZ4F1pJZp1q
Youtube Music: https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJwfZsOZW3kXuvLlELbtpj5CAvch4zpMV&si=79C70sWbrHHUAV_x

New episodes of The Track Star Podcast drop every Wednesday on all platforms. Let us know what artist, era, or genre you want us to explore next.

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1d5i6AQX4dZaO4MDCbdhjR
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-track-star-podcast/id1836496108
More platforms: https://play.megaphone.fm/f-rd86qotxojfhckdq6uaa

This Episode’s Tracklist:
00:00 - Intro
9:04 - Jimmie Rodgers - Blue Yodel No.1 (T for Texas)
14:12 - Carter Family - Wildwood Flower
15:14 - Hank Williams - Lovesick Blues
19:49 - Patsy Cline - Crazy
22:57 - Bob Wills - Bubbles in My Beer
24:14 - Waylon Jennings & Willie Nelson - Mammas Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys
31:33 - Jelly Roll Morton - Black Bottom Stomp
32:35 - Louis Armstrong and His Hot Seven - Potato Head Blues
38:39 - Duke Ellington - Mood Indigo
40:19 - Charlie Parker & Dizzy Gillespie - Bloomdido

Track Star Team: Jack Coyne, Kieran Coyne, Henry Kornaros, Noah John, Haley Sobel, Alex Fabry, Ellen Schoenfeld, Sarah Mann, Ellie Aslanian, Ryan Dirgins