Matthew Shafer, better known by his stage name Uncle Kracker, has always made the most of life on the road. For him, success lies in creating smiles in audiences while building lasting connections between performers and audiences alike.
His debut album Double Wide became an incredible success in 2000 and 2002’s No Stranger to Shame included an award-winning rendition of Dobie Gray’s Drift Away cover song as one of its highlights.
Born and raised in Mount Clemens
Uncle Kracker is an esteemed musician who has charted songs across many genres. Known for his engaging performances and subtle mannerisms, Uncle Kracker is also an exceptionally skilled guitarist.
His father owned an Amoco gas station in Mount Clemens and Shafer worked there up until the age of 21. In 1987, while attending to watch his brother compete against Kid Rock in an all-ages deejaying contest, Shafer met Kid Rock for the first time.
In 2000, he released his debut album Double Wide to widespread acclaim – its unique blend of rock and rap was an international hit!
Kid Rock’s longtime friend
After quickly making his mark in Detroit’s hip hop scene, Kid Rock rose to national renown with the release of Devil Without a Cause in 1999. This album included Bawitdaba as well as an unforgettable performance at Woodstock ’99 that cemented his standing as an overnight success story.
Mark Bass (Black Planet), who went on to produce Eminem, and Michael and Andrew Nehra (who ran White Room Studios and formed Robert Bradley’s Blackwater Surprise before becoming co-owners of Vintage King) were key figures in Rock’s early days.
His debut album Double Wide was released in 2000
Matthew Shafer, better known by his stage name Uncle Kracker, made a seamless transition from DJing to singing with his debut album Double Wide in 2000. A hit, it reached number 7 on the Billboard 200 chart and featured a remake of Dobie Gray’s 1970 hit “Drift Away,” as well as guest vocalist Dobie Gray herself!
2002 saw No Stranger to Shame become one of his highest charted albums; more recently, Seventy Two and Sunny stands as his most complete work to date.
His second album No Stranger to Shame was released in 2002
Uncle Kracker returned with an understated, yet soulful southern rock effort for their sophomore release titled Funk ‘n Memphis Soul in 2004. With Double Wide as their debut record and being well received upon its release, Uncle Kracker returned with another impressive effort called Soulful Southern Rock Album which also contained elements of Funk and Memphis soul music.
The album reached #43 on Billboard charts and produced two charted singles – including Dobie Gray’s Top 5 hit “Drift Away.” In addition, In a Little While was one of these singles.
His third album In a Little While was released in 2003
This album‘s soothing yet catchy tunes are easy to sing along to, yet its depth elevates them beyond pop-rock cliche. Additionally, artist Matthew Shafer pens some of its most creative and emotive lyrics on this disc.
In a Little While is an intriguing album for several reasons. First off, its main characteristic is being produced by a rock artist trying to create country music; though ultimately successful in doing so. Unfortunately there were some hiccups, particularly Dobie Gray’s “Drift Away,” which became an adult contemporary radio hit for six months or more!
His fourth album Drift Away was released in 2004
Matthew Shafer, better known by his stage name Uncle Kracker, first made waves by mixing country and hip hop music in the early 2000s. His debut album Double Wide proved popular while No Stranger to Shame followed suit as charted albums; Drift Away featuring Dobie Gray became a top 10 hit on US adult contemporary charts for 28 weeks prior to being certified a hit single.
Kenny Chesney invited him to record a duet, leading to 2004 album Seventy Two and Sunny.
His fifth album Midnight Special was released in 2012
Matthew Shafer, better known by his stage name Uncle Kracker, taps into a relaxed “it’ll all be alright” vibe with this collection of country songs. Joined by fellow country musicians JT Harding and Shane McAnally he has produced an album that sounds fresh yet familiar.
After quickly rising to fame as part of Kid Rock’s Twisted Brown Trucker band, Kracker found his voice with 2000 major label debut Double Wide and 2002 follow-up No Stranger To Shame; not forgetting his hit cover of Dobie Gray’s pop soul classic Drift Away.
His sixth album Cruising Altitude was released in 2015
The alt band seeks to rescue low-decibel pop-rock from the measured and fastidious performance standards often seen at “unplugged” shows. Their members –Andy White, Liam O Maonlai and Tim Finn–know the difference between rough and sloppy.
Cruising Altitude offers an eclectic blend of influences. Ranging from songs about Detroit’s economic collapse (“No Block Party, Everybody Got Evicted”) to Kracker’s tribute to Kid Rock (“Corner Bar,” written by Kracker himself) the album boasts an eclectic sound – making for an exciting listening experience perfect for road trips or summer soundtracks alike!