MyNorth Media entertainment writer Ross Boissoneau connects us with Uncle Kracker before his November 19 Traverse City event. The guitarist/rapper/singer/DJ is a Mt. Clemens native who successfully combined rock, rap, and country, making him a musician on top Billboard charts.
Artist
Uncle Kracker, a.k.a Matt Shafer
How He Got His Start
Back in the 80s, Shafer accompanied his DJ brother Mike to a turntable competition at a club in Clawson. He befriended the competition, a then-unknown Kid Rock. They discovered a mutual interest in rock, country, funk and rap. Soon he was playing turntables for Kid Rock and accompanied him during his ascent to the top of the music business, both live and then in the studio.
Uncle Kracker’s debut, Double Wide, was a radio-friendly effort that blended elements of country, mainstream modern rock, and rap, which appeared in June 2000. It went double platinum and peaked at #7 on the Billboard Top 200.
Style
Rap, rock, hip hop, rockabilly, country
Influences and Inspirations
Commodores, George Jones, Bob Seger, Lynrd Skynrd, Run D.M.C., and most importantly, his buddy Kid Rock
Additional Background
Uncle Kracker became pals with country superstar Kenny Chesney, who tapped him for “When The Sun Goes Down,” which spent five weeks at #1 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs Chart. He’s played sold-out shows across the country and appeared everywhere from the American Country Music Awards to Late Night With Conan O’Brien. His most recent recording, Midnight Special, is full-on country, filled with twangy guitars that occasionally turn rockingly racous.
Quotes
“It (Midnight Special) is designed to drift along in the background, providing good times during blue skies and Saturday nights.” – The All Music Guide
“I went in with no rules and wrote, and when we have enough that I’m happy with and (the record company) is happy with, it’ll come out. That’s the way I work now.” – Uncle Kracker
Venue
Streeters Nightclub in Traverse City
Opening band: The Lacs
Date & Time
Thursday, November 19 at 8 p.m.
Ticket Information
Tickets are $28 for the Traverse City event and can be purchased at groundzeroonline.com.
For More
More Traverse City Events
Great Lake Swimmers Perform Traverse City Event
3rd Annual Traverse City Beer Week
Holiday Events at Moomers in Traverse City
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