Episode 68: Brendan Hunt on "Ted Lasso" and how "Hey Jude" changed his life

In this episode host Ken Womack welcomes brothers, duo and self-proclaimed "Beatles fanatics" Nat and Alex Wolff. Raised in a show business family, they discuss how they were introduced to the Beatles' music before they were even born, how they went from starring in the hit Nickelodeon TV show "The Naked Brothers Band" to launching their own musical careers, working with Billie Eilish, their new album and tour, plus much more.

In this episode, host Ken Womack welcomes actor, musician and composer Greg Evigan, best known for his roles on the classic TV shows "B.J. and the Bear" and "My Two Dads." He began his career in the Broadway production of "Jesus Christ Superstar," followed by playing the lead role of Danny Zuko in a stage production of "Grease," and one of his first roles in Hollywood was a bit part in Ringo Starr's 1978 television special. Evigan's other credits include 13 series, 19 feature films, 50 movies of the week, and guest-starring roles in over 100 other productions – many of which have incorporated his original music. He recently released a new album, "Greg Evigan with London's Royal Philharmonic Orchestra," which was recorded at Abbey Road Studios. 

In this episode host Ken Womack welcomes '80s pop sensation Tiffany, who was recently introduced to a new generation of fans thanks to "Stranger Things"! They discuss those '60s covers that skyrocketed her career, who in her family is the biggest Beatles fan, how she launched a culinary side business with her new cookbook "Pop Life," and much more.

In this episode, host Ken Womack welcomes award-winning actor and writer Brendan Hunt! Best known as "Coach Beard" on Apple TV's "Ted Lasso" (which he co-created alongside star Jason Sudeikis and friends), Hunt is now starring in his own one-man stage production, "The Movement You Need," currently showing at Chicago's Steppenwolf Theatre. The play explores Hunt's bittersweet memories of his Chicago childhood, a love for the Beatles that sustained him, and the tongue-tied moment he met Paul McCartney. Through it, he and Womack discuss his lifelong journey with the band's music.

In our Season 8 premiere, host Ken Womack welcomes legendary musician, band leader, actor and comedian Paul Shaffer! In addition to being David Letterman's musical director and sidekick for 33 years, Shaffer has been a featured performer on "Saturday Night Live," guest star in multiple TV and film productions, and served as musical director and producer for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony since its inception. In this episode, Womack and Shaffer discuss how the Beatles put their own spin on American rock 'n' roll, Shaffer's own career pivot while growing up in Canada, whether guitar groups are on their way out, and if Lorne Michaels or Letterman was the bigger Beatles fan.

Host Kenneth Womack welcomes acclaimed documentary filmmaker Morgan Neville to discuss his new film on Paul McCartney's career after the Beatles, "Man on the Run." Neville's films include "20 Feet from Stardom," which won an Oscar and a Grammy, and "Won't You Be My Neighbor?" about the legendary TV host Fred Rogers. "Man on the Run" is out in select theatres February 19, and will be streaming on Amazon Prime on February 27.  

Rob Sheffield joins host Kenneth Womack for a spirited discussion on "Rubber Soul," the Beatles' songwriting, and everything Paul McCartney and Taylor Swift have in common. Sheffield is a longtime writer and critic for Rolling Stone magazine, where he started in 1997. He is the author of the 2024 New York Times bestseller "Heartbreak Is the National Anthem: How Taylor Swift Reinvented Pop Music" and "Dreaming The Beatles: The Love Story of One Band and the Whole World," winner of the 2017 Virgil Thomson Award for Outstanding Music Criticism, as well as "Love Is A Mix Tape: Life and Loss, One Song at a Time," "Talking to Girls about Duran Duran: One Young Man's Quest for True Love and a Cooler Haircut," "Turn Around Bright Eyes: The Rituals of Love and Karaoke," "On Bowie" and "The Wild Heart of Stevie Nicks." Sheffield was a special guest at the recent Everything Fab Four Fest celebrating the enduring majesty of "Rubber Soul," which he often cites as his favorite Beatles album.

Born in February 1980, Jake has been a member of Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band since 2012, when he was tapped to play saxophone in place of his late uncle, the renowned Big Man himself, Clarence Clemons. Jake has toured extensively with Springsteen and the E Street Band, handling saxophone, percussion, and backing vocal duties on the Wrecking Ball World Tour, the High Hopes Tour, The River Tour, 2017's Australia and New Zealand Summer Tour, and the recently completed 2023-2025 tour. He has also mounted tours with the Jake Clemons Band, which has crisscrossed the globe, including stints in North America, Europe, and Australia. In 2017, Jake released his debut solo album entitled "Fear & Love." Critics lauded the LP's honest storytelling and powerful emotional resonance.  Jake will be performing at the inaugural Everything Fab Four Fest, November 6-8, 2025, at the Berkeley Oceanfront Hotel in Asbury Park, New Jersey, where we'll be celebrating the 60th anniversary of the Beatles' "Rubber Soul" album. Visit www.ef4fest.com for more information and to book your tickets.

The longest-running theatrical release in film history, "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" is celebrating its 50th anniversary with original cast members Barry Bostwick (who played the iconic Brad Majors), Nell Campbell (who played the effervescent Columbia) and Patricia Quinn (who played the incomparable Magenta). They join our host, Kenneth Womack, this week for a spirited conversation about the collaboration behind the underdog movie that became a beloved cult classic, Tim Curry's powerful star turn, and the making of those iconic musical numbers. 

This episode's guest is E Street Band drummer and Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Max Weinberg.  In 1974, Max Weinberg answered an ad requesting a drummer capable of playing R&B and jazz for an audition. Weinberg had never seen Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band and was unfamiliar with their material, but the skill, acumen, and attentiveness he displayed on Fats Domino's "Let the Four Winds Blow" won him the job. His ability to take cues from Springsteen — specifically, playing a rim shot when Bruce held up his hand to stop the band and then starting back into the song — made a strong impression. Max joined the E Street Band at the same time as new pianist Roy "the Professor" Bittan. Dubbed "The Mighty Max," his crisp, powerful drumming is a highlight of such hits as "Born in the U.S.A.," as well as deeper album tracks like "Candy's Room."  Following the band's hiatus in 1989, Max worked on several different projects. Beginning in 1993, he went on to great success as the musical director and band leader for "Late Night with Conan O'Brien," assembling a top-flight set of musicians to form the Max Weinberg 7. In 2014, Max was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of the E Street Band. In 2017, he launched Max Weinberg's Jukebox, an interactive live music show where the program changes nightly based on audience requests chosen from an ever-changing song list.  Mighty Max will be performing at the inaugural Everything Fab Four Fest, taking place this November 6th through 8th at the Berkeley Oceanfront Hotel in Asbury Park, New Jersey, where we'll be celebrating the 60th anniversary of the Beatles' Rubber Soul album. Visit ef4fest.com for more information and to book your tickets.