Category Archives: Uncle Kracker

After serving as DJ for his hometown chum Kid Rock, Uncle Kracker (born Matthew Shafer) stepped out from behind the turntables to release his debut solo album, Double Wide, in 2001. Uncle Kracker had performed alongside Rock since 1994, and both favored a combination of funky, post-grunge rock with a hip-hop aesthetic. Double Wide also sported a polished pop single entitled “Follow Me,” and the album went double platinum on the strength of that Top 10 hit.

Early Mornin' Stoned Pimp

Kid Rock and Uncle Kracker were practically family. The two met in 1987 in Clawson, Michigan, where Rock was spinning in an all-ages DJ contest at a popular nightspot called Daytona’s. After discovering a mutual fondness for the Commodores, Run-D.M.C., Lynyrd Skynyrd, and George Jones, the pair became fast friends. One of Kracker‘s first musical contributions was on Rock‘s 1996 release, Early Mornin’ Stoned Pimp, and he also co-wrote and performed on Rock‘s multi-platinum breakthrough, Devil Without a Cause. Striking while the iron was hot, he chose to launch his own career in the wake of Devil‘s success.

No Stranger to Shame

Produced by Kid Rock and Mike Bradford, the Lava Records release Double Wide was a radio-friendly effort that blended elements of country, mainstream modern rock, and rap. One year after its release, Uncle Kracker returned with a sophomore album named No Stranger to Shame, scoring another Top Ten hit with a faithful rendition of Mentor Williams‘ “Drift Away.” Taking much from the inspiration of early-’70s rock, he issued Seventy Two & Sunny in late June 2004, but the album failed to live up to its predecessors’ success. Kracker renewed his hit-making credentials by co-writing Kid Rock‘s popular single “All Summer Long,” however, and he returned to the solo game in 2009 with Happy Hour. The next year, Uncle Kracker followed up with the EP Happy Hour: The South River Road Sessions, which featured country remakes of songs from Happy Hour. Uncle Kracker‘s next full-length album, his first for Sugar Hill after leaving Atlantic, was the Keith Stegall-produced Midnight Special, which appeared in the fall of 2012. In 2014 he returned to the Lava Records label with the single “Endlessly.”

Artist Biography by MacKenzie Wilson

Uncle Kracker My Hometown

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Uncle Kracker Unveils The First Single From His Future Full Length Album. “My Hometown“, produced by Keith Stegall, marks the first taste of Uncle Kracker’s long awaited album which will be available in 2012! Uncle Kracker spent most of 2011 on tour with Kenny Chesney, where he sang for crowds in some of the biggest arenas this country has to offer! He also headlined benefit shows, including The Uncle Kracker Music Education Foundation. It is hard to believe that it has been over a year since we first heard his top 5 hit, “Smile.” This man has been very gifted in the songwriting department and is sure to give us tons of treats on his full length album! Until then, go have a listen to and purchase “My Hometown.”

Uncle Kracker:Happy Hour – The South River Road Sessions

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Uncle Kracker, Top Dog/Atlantic recording artist, will debut a 6 track release for country music fans next month. Uncle Kracker, A.K.A Matthew Shafer, has worked with both Kenny Chesney (When The Sun Goes Down) and Kidd Rock (All Summer Long.) Happy Hour – The South River Road Sessions are revised tracks originally found on Uncle Kracker’s acclaimed 2009 album, “HAPPY HOUR.” “I’ve always had a genuine passion for country. I think that audiences appreciate that, and that’s why they’re giving me a chance,” Uncle Kracker explains. “Country music was one of the types of music I grew up with, so elements of it naturally come out in my songwriting. Listening to a lot of my songs – all the way back to ‘Follow Me’ – I feel like I’ve been making country music for years.” Country Music fans make sure to tune in to the 2010 CMT Music Awards, set for broadcast Wednesday, June 9th on CMT to watch Uncle Kracker celebrate the release of “Happy Hour – The South River Road Sessions.” Kracker will also be among the star-studded line-up appearing in Nashville at the annual CMA Music Festival, scheduled for June 13th at the festival’s Riverfront Park Stage. Track Listing: 1. Smile 2. Good To Be Me (featuring Kid Rock) 3. Me Again (featuring Jesse Lee) 4. I’m Not Leaving 5. Living The Dream 6. Letter to My DaughtersCountry Music Photo Gallery