The Return of Uncle Kracker
Uncle Kracker. Photo by Laura E. Partain.
Uncle Kracker knows what people want: to kick back, forget about their troubles, and have a good time. Naturally, he’s always willing to oblige. For over two decades, Uncle Kracker – born Matthew Shafer – has defied genre with his unique blend of country, pop, rock, and a dash of hip hop. No doubt inspired by his early days in Detroit as a DJ for his best friend, Kid Rock, Shafer’s music offers something for everyone.
Initially propelled into the spotlight with major hits that will forever be hallmarks of early-2000s music, including “Follow Me” and his cover of Dobie Gray’s “Drift Away,” Shafer has continued to evolve as an artist, releasing music that resonates with fans across generations.
Now, after a twelve-year album hiatus, Shafer returns with “Coffee and Beer,” a thirteen-track record that he likens to an escape from the nonsense of today.
“There’s nothing about this record that was methodical in any way, shape, or form,” Shafer tells me. “I didn’t go in starting with a theme, but I guess what came out of the album is just an escape from everything – my escape,” he explains with a laugh.
The nostalgic title track, one of Shafer’s favorites on the record, was inspired by his grandfather. “My Grandpa Smith lived two streets over from me, and every weekend, he would pick me up at 5AM and take me to the lake and we’d go fishing and hop on his boat – every weekend he made sure we went fishin,’” Shafer fondly recalls. “He was a big influence in my life – he was probably the smartest and most successful man I knew, and he was just of those guys in your life that teaches you more than other people have taught you along the way.”
“Seein’ things as I recall/I didn't have much, but I had it all/Looking back I smile from ear to ear/Grandpa’d take me fishin’/And to this day I miss him/In my mind his voice is crystal clear,” Shafer sings on “Coffee and Beer.”
“He liked his coffee in the morning, and his beer sometime after noon. And I guess that’s the whole point of ‘Coffee and Beer’ – the album as a whole is more about the life lessons he taught me. Life in general is everything that happens in-between coffee and beer,” Shafer explains.
The “Coffee and Beer” album cover. Photo via Sweet Talk Publicity.
The album’s release was timed perfectly with Shafer’s opening slot on Kenny Chesney’s “Sun Goes Down” Tour, which has allowed him to perform some of the record’s catchy beach anthems like “Reason To Drink,” “Cruising Altitude,” and “Beach Chair.”
Laughing, Shafer admits, “I don’t see an exit for Kenney Chesney. You know, you can kinda ping some people and be like ‘Well, they probably don’t have much longer,’ but not Kenney,” he says. “The universe is giving no signs that Kenney’s gonna stop.”
As for life on the road, Shafer has his preferences. “I love all southern dates not for any particular reason other than I just like being south,” he shares, true to form. “My ideal day is somewhere where the sun’s up, on a beach – if there was no sand. I like the beach, but I don’t like the sand,” he confesses.
Regardless of whether you’re spending this summer on the beach or by the pool, Shafer’s “Coffee and Beer” is an invitation to join him in savoring life’s simple pleasures, guided by the wisdom of those who came before him. Whether you’re a longtime fan or new to his music, the album offers a perfect blend of nostalgia and fresh energy – both of which make for the perfect summer soundtrack. Uncle Kracker is officially back!
