Best Daniel Womack Podcasts (2025)

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Episode 59 (Bonus): Singer-songwriter Peter Wolf on his musical upbringing: "It took me a while to warm up to the Beatles" 37:01

2M ago37:01

37:01

On this episode of Everything American singer-songwriter Peter Wolf joins host Ken Womack to discuss Wolf’s life in music and his earliest musical influences. A native of the Bronx, Wolf spent his youth soaking up New York City’s music scene, especially the Apollo Theater’s array of soul, rhythm & blues, and gospel performers. After moving to Bosto…

1
Episode 58 (Bonus): Paul Reiser's father "tolerated" the Beatles on Ed Sullivan 35:22

6M ago35:22

35:22

On this episode of Everything Fab Four, actor and comedian Paul Reiser joins to discuss his first memories of the Beatles on Ed Sullivan and share the Beatles song that “still kills [him].” Reiser began his career as a stand-up comedian, breaking into film with Barry Levinson’s 1982 movie Diner. Reiser starred in the sitcom My Two Dads in the late …

1
Episode 57: Guitarist George Benson on what makes Beatles’ songs so special: “They had great stories” 44:25

10M ago44:25

44:25

On today’s episode, American jazz fusion guitarist and singer-songwriter George Benson drops by to discuss what gave the Beatles “prestige” and how the band helped Black musicians succeed. Benson recorded his first album The New Boss Guitar, at 21, and followed it up with It’s Uptown with the George Benson Quartet. In 1969, he recorded his homage t…

1
Episode 56 (Bonus): How the Beatles inspired these 1970s television icons 42:01

10M ago42:01

42:01

On this bonus episode of Everything Fab Four, we trace two television icons from the 1970s—both very different in terms of target audience, but united in the inspiration that they drew from the Beatles. First is the New Zoo Revue, the children’s TV show that was broadcast from 1972 through 1977. Designed as a musical comedy, it ran for 196 episodes…

1
Episode 55: Rosanna Arquette on growing up with the Beatles: "I always loved ‘Revolver’” 34:47

11M ago34:47

34:47

On this episode of Everything Fab Four, actor and activist Rosanna Arquette shares her favorite Beatles song and recounts where she was when John Lennon died. As part of a large show business family—including siblings Patricia and David Arquette—Rosanna began acting as a child. Her father, character actor Lewis Arquette, was well known as “J.D. Pic…

1
Episode 54: Jamie Bernstein says her father Leonard Bernstein was “almost as obsessed with ‘Sgt. Pepper’ as I was" 35:11

11M ago35:11

35:11

Author and filmmaker Jamie Bernstein joins Everything Fab Four to discuss growing up with a world-famous father, and why Leonard Bernstein chose Beatles songs to explain musical concepts. Jamie Bernstein’s 2018 memoir, Famous Father Girl, tracesthe story of growing up with composer-conductor Leonard Bernstein, and pianist and actress Felicia Montea…

1
Episode 53: Darius Rucker on the Beatles' legacy: “Everybody else has to line up behind them” 36:30

12M ago36:30

36:30

On this episode, legendary singer-songwriter Darius Rucker joins Everything Fab Four to share how he first discovered the Beatles at five, and which Beatles album he thinks is the “most perfect album ever made.” Rucker first achieved multi-Platinum status in the music industry as lead singer and rhythm guitarist of the GRAMMY Award-winning band Hoo…

1
Episode 52: Joan Osborne on how the Beatles inspired her to try different musical styles 38:59

12M ago38:59

38:59

Grammy-nominated American recording artist Joan Osborne joins Everything Fab Four to talk about hearing “Revolution 9” at a makeout party and how her music career began. Osborne moved to New York City to attend film school at NYU in the late 1980s, dropping out after becoming involved in the city’s downtown music scene. In 1991, Osborne formed her …

1
Episode 51: Jeff Daniels got a "lesson in fame" from George Harrison 50:55

1y ago50:55

50:55

On this episode, acclaimed actor and Beatles fan Jeff Daniels joins “Everything Fab Four” to discuss his experience filming a movie scene with George Harrison and getting his guitar signed by the Quiet Beatle. Across his five decade-long career, Jeff Daniels has worked with some of the world’s most revered filmmakers. He made his screen debut in Mi…

1
Episode 50: Billy Idol: The Beatles breaking up was "like a death in the family." 32:00

1y ago32:00

32:00

English-American music icon Billy Idol joins Everything Fab Four to discuss the exhilaration of being a Beatle fan “in real time” and how his voice was mistaken for Paul McCartney’s. Billy Idol began his rock n roll career as the guitarist for Chelsea, subsequently achieving renown on the London punk rock scene in the 1970s, when he performed as th…

1
Episode 49 (Bonus): The Beatles' first Ed Sullivan performance, 60 years later 33:01

1+ y ago33:01

33:01

To celebrate the sixtieth anniversary of the Beatles’ first appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show, our guests revisit the evening that the Beatles graced their living rooms for the first time, on this special episode of Everything Fab Four. These Beatles lovers include Steven van Zandt from Bruce Springsteen’s E Street Band, R&B singer Darlene Love, a…

1
Episode 48 (Bonus): Brian Ritchie of the Violent Femmes on how "My Sweet Lord" inspired him to play guitar 36:11

1+ y ago36:11

36:11

Brian Ritchie, bassist for the folk punk band the Violent Femmes, joins host Kenneth Womack on this episode to chat about his first Beatles records and the 40th anniversary of the Femmes’ debut album. Ritchie co-founded the Violent Femmes with percussionist Victor DeLorenzo in 1981, and the duo were later joined by singer-songwriter Gordon Gano. Ri…

1
Episode 47 (Bonus): Joan Baez on the Beatles' biggest thrill coming to America: "A Coca-Cola machine you didn't have to put any money in." 23:34

1+ y ago23:34

23:34

On this episode, Grammy Award-winning American singer-songwriter and activist Joan Baez joins host Ken Womack to share her memories of meeting the Beatles for the first time and witnessing their final live concert. Baez's time-eclipsing folk music often champions songs of protest and social justice. Over the years, she has recorded 30 albums in gen…

1
Episode 46: Sophie B. Hawkins on why fans still trust the Beatles: “They didn’t exploit us as an audience” 45:13

2y ago45:13

45:13

Sophie B. Hawkins, the Grammy-nominated American singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and painter, joins host Kenneth Womack on the season five finale episode of “Everything Fab Four.” Hawkins started her Beatles journey as a kid with “Revolver,” and remembers playing along with tennis racket guitars and couch cushion drums. “Even as a non-mu…

1
Episode 45 (Bonus): How the Beatles really got booked on "The Ed Sullivan Show" 33:26

2y ago33:26

33:26

This week's guests are Margo Precht Speciale and Andrew Solt, who join host Kenneth Womack for a special episode devoted to celebrating the 75th anniversary of The Ed Sullivan Show and its lasting impact on American culture, including Beatles fandom. The granddaughter of Ed Sullivan, Precht is a documentary filmmaker, as well as a UCLA graduate wit…

1
Episode 44: The Boxmasters, Billy Bob Thornton and J.D. Andrew 43:17

2y ago43:17

43:17

On this episode, the Boxmasters — an American rock band comprised of Grammy Award-winning recording engineer J.D. Andrew and Academy Award-winning actor Billy Bob Thornton — join host Ken Womack for a spirited discussion of songwriting, recording, and what Thornton says is "the most difficult thing about being a Beatles fan." Formed in 2007, the Bo…

1
Episode 43: Jazz guitarist Dan Wilson on urgency in "Eleanor Rigby" and what genius actually looks like 33:15

2y ago33:15

33:15

Ken Womack's guest this week is Grammy-nominated American jazz guitarist Dan Wilson. Hailing from Akron, Ohio, Wilson made his recording debut with pianist Joe McBride and performed to worldwide acclaim with Joey DeFrancesco and Christian McBride’s Tip City, eventually recording his debut as a band leader with "To Whom It May Concern" in 2012. Over…

1
Episode 42: Madison Cunningham: "It's really hard to write a joyful song well" 40:23

2y ago40:23

40:23

In this episode, Ken Womack talks with Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter Madison Cunningham. She made her recording debut in 2014 with the self-released gospel album “Authenticities,” which reflected her exploration of faith. In 2017, Cunningham joined the cast of American Public Media’s “Live from Here.” In 2019, she released her breakthrough…

1
Episode 41: Ian Hunter of Mott the Hoople on the Beatles, playing with Ringo and how to follow a David Bowie hit 31:48

2y ago31:48

31:48

Legendary singer-songwriter, author, and rock ‘n’ roll star Ian Hunter's illustrious career is now in its seventh decade. His rock ‘n’ roll life has long been marked by collaboration, from the golden age of Mott the Hoople to his fabled partnership with Mick Ronson and 21st-century renaissance with his crack backing combo, the Rant Band. Over the y…

1
Episode 40: With guest Barbara Feldon, Agent 99 on "Get Smart" 1:00:12

2y ago1:00:12

1:00:12

This episode’s guest is Barbara Feldon, a model, author and actress best known for portraying “Agent 99” on the classic ‘60s sitcom “Get Smart.” Feldon was born Barbara Anne Hall in a suburb of Pittsburgh and studied drama at Carnegie Mellon University. Soon after, she departed for New York City to pursue a career in acting, where a stint as a show…

1
Episode 39: Kenny Loggins on the “electricity” of the Beatles and creating anthems for “Caddyshack,” “Footloose” and “Top Gun” 36:33

2y ago36:33

36:33

On this episode, host Kenneth Womack welcomes Grammy winner Kenny Loggins, whose songs have left a musical imprint on “thesoundtrack of our lives.” Over the last four decades, his chart-topping songs have included “This Is It,” “I’m Alright,” “Footloose," “Danger Zone,” and so many more. “Danger Zone” was featured once again in Paramount’s “Top Gun…

1
Episode 38: Pattie Boyd on falling for George Harrison and why "you can't grasp" the intensity of Beatles fame 36:36

2y ago36:36

36:36

Pattie Boyd is an English model, photographer, and an eyewitness to key moments in rock ‘n’ roll history, particularly in terms of the lives and times of the former members of the Beatles, especially George Harrison. In 1962, Boyd began her modeling career, later appearing on the covers of Vogue and other leading magazines. In 1964, she met Harriso…

1
Episode 37: Hayley Orrantia on authenticity, inspiration and "Sgt. Pepper's" 39:59

2+ y ago39:59

39:59

Today’s guest is Hayley Orrantia, an American singer and actress known for her role in the hit TV show "The Goldbergs." The show follows the hilarious and awkward lives of a colorful, suburban family in Jenkintown, Pennsylvania in the 1980s. Orrantia is a scene stealer as Erica, the eldest Goldberg sibling, who fans have watched transform from a so…

1
Episode 36: Dougie Payne of Travis on how, as a second-generation fan, the Beatles become "part of your DNA" 30:19

2+ y ago30:19

30:19

In this episode, bassist Dougie Payne of Travis joins host Kenneth Womack to talk about his Beatles influence, the 20th anniversary of "The Invisible Band" and why "everyone needs their own Mal Evans." The Scottish band, originally named Glass Onion after the famous “White Album” song, was formed in 1990 and later took its name from a character in …

1
Episode 35: Queen of Christmas Darlene Love on what the Beatles took from Black musicians, and what they gave back 43:24

2+ y ago43:24

43:24

Ken Womack's guest this week is Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member Darlene Love (born Darlene Wright). Best known for her holiday hit “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home),” in addition to her vocals on records by “girl group” The Crystals and her acting roles such as in the “Lethal Weapon” film series, Love's beginnings were modest, having started out…

1
Episode 34: May Pang opens up about John Lennon, the Beatles and her front-row seat to rock history 46:09

2+ y ago46:09

46:09

May Pang is a former music executive and an eyewitness to key moments in rock ‘n’ roll history, particularly in terms of the lives and times of the former members of the Beatles, especially John Lennon. After growing up in Spanish Harlem and Manhattan, Pang's early jobs included working as an old-school record-plugger and at Allen Klein’s managemen…

1
Bonus Episode 33: How Klaus Voormann gave Revolver its signature look 22:54

2+ y ago22:54

22:54

German artist, musician and record producer Klaus Voormann, former bassist for Manfred Mann, has played on a number of iconic recordings, from Carly Simon's "You're So Vain" to Lou Reed's "Transformer" album, and with many projects of the former members of the Beatles, whom Voorman has known since their Hamburg days. The one-time London roommate of…

1
Episode 32: There are two musicians inside Peter Frampton: “There’s a studio me and a live me” 44:33

2+ y ago44:33

44:33

This week's guest is celebrated English guitarist, singer, and songwriter Peter Frampton. A musical prodigy, Frampton taught himself to play the guitar at age 7. Within the next few years, he mastered complex jazz, blues and rock riffs. He spent his pre-teen years performing with bands including George & The Dragons, a group that included fellow up…

1
Episode 31: The Bacon Brothers 43:48

2+ y ago43:48

43:48

This episode’s guests are the duo ensemble The Bacon Brothers — younger brother and veteran actor Kevin and his older sibling Michael, an award-winning composer. Since his breakout roles in the early 1980s, including a starring turn in “Footloose,” Kevin has been a star on the big and small screens. And Michael, a music professor at Lehman College,…

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Episode 30: Shawn Colvin on writing her hit revenge song and the Beatles landmark that “knocked me dead” 34:31

2+ y ago34:31

34:31

This episode's guest is Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter and musician Shawn Colvin. A participant in Greenwich Villages' Fast Folk Collective in the early 1980s, Colvin cut her teeth in the Buddy Miller Band and toured with Suzanne Vega after singing back-up on Vega's 1987 hit "Luka." Her 1989 debut, "Steady On," won a Grammy Award for Best C…

1
Episode 29: Ken Burns on the genius of “Penny Lane” and why the Beatles are “etched in my hard drive” 40:21

2+ y ago40:21

40:21

American filmmaker Ken Burns is renowned for his documentary films and television series, many of which chronicle American history and culture, such as "The Civil War," "Baseball," "Jazz," and "Country Music." Burns's documentaries have earned two Academy Award nominations and have won several Emmy Awards, among other honors. His latest documentary…

1
Matthew Bentley 33:45

2+ y ago33:45

33:45

We are excited to welcome Matthew Bentley to the show. As a proud member of the Palestine mafia, Matthew has been a regular around the Capitol for over a decade. He has been an intern, worked in a state agency, run successful campaigns and now is the proud owner of his own lobby shop. We also discuss pasture parties, growing up the son of an electe…

1
Jason Damen 54:10

3y ago54:10

54:10

Lobby Land is excited to welcome Jason Damen to the show. Tune in as our host and Jason discuss growing up in Austin, his career path (including working with our host some 20+ years ago), his love of hunting, fly-fishing and much more. Jason is endlessly entertaining, as always. He provides fun insight and perspective into what it means to work in …

1
Ben Stratmann 43:11

3y ago43:11

43:11

We are excited to welcome Ben Stratmann (with two n’s) to the pod. Ben has worked in politics for over 15 years. He’s done it all — been a bag man (if you don’t know what this is, then you definitely need to listen), ran successful campaigns, served as chief of staff and of course, now a lobbyist. We discuss all of this plus leadership, Ben’s amazi…

1
Episode 28: Heart's Ann Wilson on her epiphany about rock and gender roles: "I could be a girl, I could be Paul McCartney" 31:49

3y ago31:49

31:49

In this episode, host Ken Womack and powerhouse rocker Ann Wilson go deep into Beatles songs and their influence on her own work, the high school politics of fandom, and what the Beatles taught her about gender as a young rocker. Wilson rose to fame alongside her younger sister, guitarist Nancy Wilson, as lead vocalist in the rock band Heart, the f…

1
Brandy Marquez 40:12

3y ago40:12

40:12

Lobby Land is excited to welcome Brandy Marquez to the show. Hailing from San Antonio, Brandy has spent over two decades working in Texas politics. She started her career as an intern in the Texas House of Representatives and worked her way to become Chief of Staff for former Governor Rick Perry, with several stops in-between. She also spent some t…

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Special Episode: Inside "The Beatles: Get Back to Let It Be" at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 39:22

3y ago39:22

39:22

Today’s special episode features our good friends from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum in Cleveland, Ohio, here to discuss their new exhibition, The Beatles: Get Back to Let It Be. Designed to serve as an immersive complement to Peter Jackson’s Get Back docuseries, the groundbreaking exhibition allows fans to experience The Beatles’ creat…

1
Episode 27: Colin Hay on his Beatles influence, Men at Work’s breakup and the truths of “Get Back” 46:55

3y ago46:55

46:55

Scottish-born musician, singer, songwriter, and actor Colin Hay first came to prominence as the lead vocalist of the Australian rock band Men at Work, which won the Best New Artist Grammy in 1983. Their big break came in August 1982, when Men at Work toured Canada and the US to promote their first LP Business as Usual, supporting Fleetwood Mac. Tha…

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Whitney Whitmire & Lindsay Munoz 47:32

3y ago47:32

47:32

We are excited to welcome Whitney Whitmire and Lindsay Munoz to Lobby Land. This episode has it all. Whitney and Lindsay discuss their career paths, from their early days to their current venture together at Whitney Munoz LLC. The two discuss having a recognizable last name, being married to a rocket scientist, the amazingly kind capitol community,…

1
Deirdre Delisi 48:34

3y ago48:34

48:34

We are thrilled to welcome Deirdre Delisi to kick off Season Two of Lobby Land. Deirdre relives her first foray into politics on the first Lamar Alexander presidential campaign, her time working for Governor Rick Perry -- running one of his campaigns for Governor and working on his first presidential campaign -- and her tenure as Chairman of the Te…

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Episode 26: Dave Mason of Traffic on Being Part of the 1960s London Rock Renaissance 33:24

3+ y ago33:24

33:24

Kenneth Womack's guest on this episode of “Everything Fab Four” is English singer/songwriter Dave Mason, who first found fame and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for his work with the rock band Traffic. He wrote and sang lead on Traffic’s 1968 single “Feelin Alright?” which also went on to become a hit for Joe Cocker and throughout…

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Episode 25: Janis Ian on the Beatles, "Baby Shark" and the origins of "At Seventeen" 34:18

3+ y ago34:18

34:18

Singer/songwriter Janis Ian started her music career as a folk prodigy, writing and recording “Society’s Child,” her groundbreaking 1966 song about an interracial couple, at age 14. She won a Grammy Award for her 1975 hit “At Seventeen” and the song was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2008. Her new EP, “The Light at the End of the Line,” h…

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Episode 24: Rickie Lee Jones on John Lennon, Paul McCartney and the women in their songs 37:44

3+ y ago37:44

37:44

On this episode of "Everything Fab Four," host Kenneth Womack interviews the Duchess of Coolsville herself, two-time Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter Rickie Lee Jones. In their conversation, she breaks down the differences in how John Lennon and Paul McCartney wrote women in their songs, how to keep a creative body of work innovative, how the…

1
Episode 24: Jake Posey 36:32

3+ y ago36:32

36:32

Lobby Land is excited to welcome Jake Posey to the show. Tune in as Jake discusses growing up in a small southeast Texas town, his journey from business consulting to law school, and then on to the Capitol. Jake and our host (who happen to have gone to high school together) also look back on an infamous senior trip. We enjoy hearing from our listen…

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Episode 23: Marsha Jones 39:12

3+ y ago39:12

39:12

We are excited to welcome Marsha Jones to Lobby Land. Listen in as Lobby Land contributor Stephanie Simpson and Marsha discuss having generic last names, being part of the Capitol “humanity,” Marsha’s work with nuns, and some advice for all lobbyists. Marsha also covers being mistaken as Julia Roberts and her favorite cocktail. We enjoy hearing fro…

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Episode 23: Weird Al's childhood promise: "Some day when I’m super rich I’m going to own every Beatles album" 33:06

3+ y ago33:06

33:06

"Weird Al" Yankovic has come a long way since his days making music in his bedroom with an accordion and a "cheesy little cassette tape recorder" and submitting to the Dr. Demento Show. On this episode, he and Ken talk about how Al's songwriting process has become more elaborate over the years, the story behind why Paul McCartney vetoed his "Live a…

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Episode 22: Hayley Mills on a date with her favorite Beatle: “It was an unforgettable evening” 36:02

3+ y ago36:02

36:02

English actress Hayley Mills was a child screen prodigy. During her initial six-year run at Disney, she appeared in six films, including a career-making turn as twins in “The Parent Trap.” Her memoir “Forever Young” is out now. In this conversation with host Ken Womack, Mills recounts being a Beatles fan from the early days — including the time she…

1
Episode 22: Denise Rose 40:30

3+ y ago40:30

40:30

Lobby Land is excited to welcome Denise Rose to the pod this week. Tune in to hear about Denise’s unconventional path from pre-med major to AmeriCorps, to law school, to lobbyist. Denise talks organic chemistry, dispenses advice for all lobbyists on how to stay sane and unplug, and of course, Denise and our host Stephanie Simpson discuss their favo…

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#43 - Liam Scafariello Profile by Ellen Scafariello 11:23

3+ y ago11:23

11:23

Liam Scafariello Profile by Ellen Scafariello

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Episode 21: Margaret Cho on why "there were really about ten Beatles" 38:30

3+ y ago38:30

38:30

Margaret Cho is a Grammy and Emmy Award nominated stand-up comedian, actress, and singer-songwriter. In this episode, she and host Ken Womack talk about her journey to becoming a comic, her gateway album into Beatles fandom, and why her favorite Beatle — of, she suggests, up to ten Beatles in total — would have been Brian Epstein.…

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Daniel Womack Podcasts

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