New York (Top40 Charts/ Atlantic Records) - Top Dog/Atlantic recording artist
Uncle Kracker has announced details of his upcoming US tour. The dates - which see the Detroit-based DJ/singer-songwriter embarking on a headlining run before traveling as special guests of
Train - kick off on October 1st at
20th Century Theatre in Cincinnati and then continue through late November (see below itinerary).
The tour celebrates the release of "HAPPY HOUR," Uncle Kracker's new album set to arrive in stores and at all online retailers on September 15th. The collection includes the hit single, "Smile," which is currently No 16 and climbing on the airplay charts at Hot AC radio outlets nationwide. In addition, the track's companion video clip is in rotation at VH1, where it recently debuted on the channel's "VH1 Top 20 Countdown." Uncle Kracker has been tapped to host an upcoming episode of the weekly show.
Furthermore, "Smile" is proving a digital triumph, with sales already in excess of 150,000. The track is a top 15 favorite on iTunes' "Top Pop Songs" chart, while also riding high in the top 40 on the overall "Top Songs" tally.
In other news, "Smile" is currently featured in ABC's Sunday Night image campaign. The primetime promo spots are slated to run over the coming weeks, leading up to the network's premiere Sunday at the end of the month.
Uncle Kracker has also slated an array of additional live dates to herald the arrival of "HAPPY HOUR," beginning with a day-of-release performance at New York City's Hard Rock Cafe' on Tuesday, September 15th. The concert - presented as part of Hard Rock's "2009 Ambassadors of Rock Tour" - sees Uncle Kracker sharing the stage with his good friend and collaborator, Kenny Chesney. The following day will find Uncle Kracker headlining "Lite Up Detroit," a major hometown benefit concert presented by Miller Lite in partnership with Urban Farming. The show - which also features Uncle Kracker's Atlantic labelmates Carolina Liar and Ty Stone - is scheduled for Wednesday, September 16th at The Fillmore Theatre in Detroit. As if all that weren't enough, Uncle Kracker will make an eagerly anticipated network television appearance on September 19th, performing "Smile" on CBS' "The Early Show Saturday Edition" as part of its popular "Second Cup Cafe'" series (check local listings).
Produced by multiple Grammy Award-winner Rob Cavallo (Kid Rock, Green Day, Paramore), "HAPPY HOUR" sees Uncle Kracker continuing to craft his idiosyncratic blend of country-flavored pop and rock 'n' roll. Initially known for his role as DJ in Kid Rock's legendary Twisted Brown Trucker band, Uncle Kracker made a stunning solo debut with 2001's "DOUBLE WIDE." Fueled by the No 1 smash, "Follow Me," the album exploded onto the Billboard 200's top 10 on its way to 2x-platinum certification from the RIAA.
"NO STRANGER TO SHAME" followed in 2002, highlighted by the top 10 Hot AC hit, "In A Little While," as well as Uncle Kracker's biggest solo single to date, a cover of Dobie Gray's classic "Drift Away." The track reached the top 10 on Billboard's "Hot 100" while also setting the record for most weeks at No 1 on the AC chart, remaining atop the format's ranking for a remarkable 22 straight weeks.
2004's "SEVENTY TWO AND SUNNY" saw Uncle Kracker emphasizing his melodic songwriting and a unique stylistic synthesis of pop, rock, country, soul, blues, and even doo-wop. That same year, "When The Sun Goes Down," his collaboration with country superstar Kenny Chesney, proved a No 1 success, topping Billboard's "Hot Country Songs" chart for five consecutive weeks.
Known to his parents as Matt Shafer, Uncle Kracker has also played a significant role as one of Kid Rock's songwriting collaborators. Uncle Kracker's co-writing credits alongside his longtime friend includes such blockbuster hits as "Bawitdaba," "Cowboy," "Forever," "Only God Knows Why" and 2008's No 1 classic, "All Summer Long."
For further news and information, please visit www.unclekracker.com or https://www.myspace.com/unclekracker.
UNCLE KRACKER On Tour 2009:
10/1 - 10/10 Headlining
10/20 - 11/23 w/Train
SEPTEMBER
15 New York, NY Hard Rock Cafe'
16 Detroit, MI "Lite Up Detroit" @ The Fillmore
OCTOBER
1 Cincinnati, OH 20th Century Theatre
2 Flint, MI The Machine Shop
3 Evansville, IN Woody's
8 Columbus, OH Newport Music Hall
9 Fort Wayne, IN Piere's
10 Milwaukee, WI The Rave/Eagles Club
17 Las Vegas, NV Mix 94.1's Bite of Las Vegas
20 Seattle, WA The Moore Theatre
21 Portland, OR Crystal Ballroom
23 San Francisco, CA The Fillmore
24 Ventura, CA Ventura Theatre
25 Anaheim, CA House of Blues
26 Los Angeles, CA House of Blues
29 Salt Lake City, UT The Depot
30 Denver, CO Ogden Theatre
NOVEMBER
1 Minneapolis, MN First Avenue
2 Chicago, IL The Vic Theatre
3 Detroit, MI Royal Oak Music Theatre
4 Cleveland, OH House of Blues
5 Philadelphia, PA Theater of Living Arts
7 Napa Valley, CA Silverado Hotel - "Live In The Vineyard" *
8 Washington, DC 9:30 Club
9 Boston, MA House of Blues
10 New York, NY Webster Hall
12 Baltimore, MD Ram's Head
13 Richmond, VA The National
14 Myrtle Beach, SC House of Blues
15 Charlotte, NC The Fillmore
17 Atlanta, GA The Tabernacle
18 Orlando, FL House of Blues
20 New Orleans, LA House of Blues
21 Austin, TX La Zona Rosa
22 Houston, TX House of Blues
23 Dallas, TX House of Blues
