Matthew Shafer, better known by his stage name Uncle Kracker, is an American rock, country, and rap rock musician, most popularly known for his hit singles "Follow Me" and "Drift Away". His music was more rap rock-based at the start of his career before turning in a more country and Top 40 style music direction on later releases.

Uncle Kracker has enjoyed a long friendship with Kid Rock, and wound up contributing to Rock’s 1996 independent release Early Mornin’ Stoned Pimp and 1998’s multi-platinum Devil Without A Cause before busting out on his own with Double Wide in 2000. The album peaked at No. 7 on the Billboard Top 200, spawned the smash single “Follow Me” (undoubtedly paving the way for the chart success of acoustic troubadours Jason Mraz and John Mayer), and went on double-platinum success the following year. Uncle Kracker’s gold-selling second album, No Stranger To Shame, followed in 2002, spawning a hit cover version of Dobie Gray’s classic “Drift Away.” That track reached the Top 10 on Billboard’s Hot 100 and set a record for most weeks at No. 1 on the AC chart, remaining there for 22 straight weeks.

In 2004, Uncle Kracker released Seventy Two and Sunny, which showcased his melodic songwriting and unique stylistic synthesis of pop, rock, country, soul, blues, and even doo-wop. Country superstar Kenny Chesney was featured on one of the album’s tracks, “Last Night Again,” so that same year, Uncle Kracker returned the favor by singing on Chesney’s “When The Sun Goes Down,” which topped Billboard’s “Hot Country Songs” chart for five consecutive weeks. It also marked the first time in more than 20 years that an artist without a previous country history, like Uncle Kracker, was featured on a No. 1 country single. Uncle Kracker hit the road with Chesney for an arena tour that found Chesney’s fans singing along with “Follow Me” and “Drift Away.”

Uncle Kracker is set to release a fourth album, Happy Hour, in September. The album has already spawned a hit single, “Smile.”

Produced by multiple Grammy-Award winner Rob Cavallo, Happy Hour is a breezy blend of country-flavored pop and rock and roll that showcases not only the Detroit native’s natural appeal as a likeable Everyman, but also his considerable gifts as a songwriter.