The Bert Show: Vault – Interview with Uncle Kracker

Date: October 27, 2025
Podcast by: Pionaire Podcasting

Episode Overview

In this lively and off-the-cuff interview, The Bert Show welcomes singer-songwriter Uncle Kracker (Matt Shafer), best known for his solo hits and his work with Kid Rock. The episode dives into Uncle Kracker’s origins, his relationship with Kid Rock, his quick rise from DJ battles to recording stardom, his perspectives on fame, money, and his future in the music industry. The conversation is unfiltered, funny, and full of the playful rapport that marks The Bert Show’s signature style.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Uncle Kracker’s Rise and Early Days

• Brotherly Competition and Meeting Kid Rock
  • Uncle Kracker shares how his brother went head-to-head with Kid Rock in a Detroit DJ competition when he was 13. (“It was at some teen club... a bar that turned into a teen club on Sunday nights.” – [03:03])
  • That chance meeting led to a long-standing friendship and musical partnership.
  • “They became good friends, and then me and Kid Rock became best friends out of it.” – Uncle Kracker [03:20]

Record Label Life and Exhaustion

• Missing the Previous Interview:
  • Uncle Kracker apologizes for missing an earlier interview due to late-night commitments in New York. (“I did this thing yesterday where we played New York City… I didn’t go to bed.” – [02:04])
  • He admits the only downside to press interviews is when they interfere with his partying. (“You know what sucks more than anything? When it gets in the way you’re partying.” – [02:39])

The Kid Rock Partnership: Loyalty and Annoyance

• Relationship with Kid Rock:

  • Despite repeated questioning, Uncle Kracker isn’t tired of talking about Kid Rock, acknowledging the mentorship and their ongoing collaboration. (“I’m still with the Kid Rock... my loyalty’s there. I’m not going anywhere anytime soon.” – [04:53])
  • He feels both honored and slightly annoyed by the association, especially when his solo success was unsure. (“It started out when the record came out and it didn’t sell, then it got on my nerves and I was like, wait a minute, enough with the Kid Rock stuff.” – [05:16])

• On Kid Rock’s Wild Persona:

  • Reflections on Kid Rock’s headline-making moments, like attending the MTV Awards with a joint. (“Come on, the guy is coming out… with a big old joint in his head?” – [03:56])

Becoming the “Frontman”: Lifestyle and Business Realities

• Culture Shock of Fame:

  • Uncle Kracker describes transitioning to being in the spotlight himself, now experiencing the same craziness Kid Rock did. (“It must be kind of almost like a bit of a culture shock to you now…” – [05:42])
  • He’s satisfied: “I'll tell you what, it doesn't suck. Yeah, I have no complaints right now.” – [05:52]

• Money and Success:

  • He reveals the delayed financial realities of the music business. (“I haven’t seen a penny from this record… everything’s about a year behind.” – [06:21])
  • “You could go in, you could record a record today and sell a million copies tomorrow. And the third day you’d end up with nothing really.” – [06:24]

• On Cars and Home Life:

  • Uncle Kracker jokes about his car collection (just bought a ’71 El Camino), admitting he hasn’t been home to enjoy them. (“I just bought an El Camino, though. That is so sweet.” – [07:12])

The Hit Single and Its Meaning

• On “Follow Me”:
  • Host asks about the message behind the hit song, exploring its rumored themes of cheating. (“Isn’t Follow Me… about infidelity?” – [08:17])
  • Uncle Kracker clarifies: “What you don’t know won’t hurt you or what they don’t know won’t hurt them… It’s a very War of the Roses, dark infidelity. I live in a dark place.” – [08:18]

Humor, Identity, and Other Ventures

• Playful Banter about Religion:

  • The hosts and Uncle Kracker joke about Judaism and his imaginary conversion. (“Yeah, Uncle Kracker, I’m converting. I want to turn into one.” – [08:34])
  • “Judaism is contagious, dude. You walk out of here, you want kefilta, fish and moss, and you won’t even know why.” – Radio Host [08:49]
  • Uncle Kracker: “I already can’t stand Christmas. I can feel it.” [08:55]

• Rejecting Hollywood:

  • He dismisses any desire to move into acting or TV, focusing purely on music. (“You know what? I'm gonna stay out of the movies.” – [07:55])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the uphill climb to fame:
  “This guy went from zero to hero when he was working with Kid Rock. People didn’t even know his name. It’s Uncle Cracker and you know his name now.”
  — Radio Host [01:44]

• On party priorities:
  “You know what sucks more than anything? When it gets in the way you’re partying.”
  — Uncle Kracker [02:39]

• On musician finances:
  “I haven’t seen a penny from this record… It’d probably take about a year before you saw anything from it.”
  — Uncle Kracker [06:21-06:36]

• On the single “Follow Me”:
  “It’s just kind of like, you know, what you don’t know won’t hurt you… very War of the Roses, dark infidelity. I live in a dark place.”
  — Uncle Kracker [08:13-08:26]

• On his approach to fame and loyalty:
  “I’m still with the Kid Rock. Then, you know… my loyalty’s there. I’m not going anywhere anytime soon.”
  — Uncle Kracker [04:53]

Important Segment Timestamps

• [01:44] - Introduction, Uncle Kracker joins, Kid Rock background
• [03:03] - DJ competition and how Kid Rock and Uncle Kracker met
• [04:05] - Stories about Kid Rock’s MTV antics
• [04:53] - On moving beyond Kid Rock but staying loyal
• [06:21] - Explaining the money trail in the music industry
• [07:12] - Uncle Kracker on buying a 1971 El Camino
• [07:55] - Rejecting Hollywood, focusing on new album
• [08:13] - “Follow Me” and its meaning discussed
• [08:34] - Banter about religion and identity
• [09:03] - Interview wrap-up and goodbyes

Closing Tone

The episode balances nostalgia, honesty, and humor, offering a candid look at Uncle Kracker’s journey from local DJ contests to national fame. Listeners get to see the person behind the music: loyal, a little irreverent, and fully aware of the ups — and downs — of the music biz grind. The playful chemistry between the hosts and Uncle Kracker keeps the mood light and engaging throughout.