Vault: Interview Uncle Cracker

Summary

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The Bert Show: Vault – Interview with Uncle Kracker

Date: October 27, 2025
Podcast by: Pionaire Podcasting

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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.

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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])

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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]

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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

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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.

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Transcript

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[Radio Host]

Purchased the bird show 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. What's going on, dude?

[Uncle Cracker]

Nothing. What's happening?

[Radio Host]

This thing is all. This is hitting fast, isn't it?

[Uncle Cracker]

I'm just. I'm here to apologize for not calling in yesterday, man.

[Radio Host]

Why are you talking us out like that, dude? What happened? We ever do to you, man?

[Uncle Cracker]

You know what? It wasn't on purpose what happened. I did this thing yesterday where we played New York City and you know that's the. The record label heaven. And that's the, you know, the spank and thank thing.

[Radio Host]

Right.

[Uncle Cracker]

You got the meet and greet and you got the record label party, and you do that thing and something happened where I didn't go to bed.

[Radio Host]

Oh, imagine that.

[Uncle Cracker]

Right. But then I had. And then I had something to do for like the 7:30, 8 in the morning thing. And then, you know, I don't know what happened.

[Radio Host]

Do you just despise doing these kind of interviews going from station to station, or is it still pretty cool for you?

[Uncle Cracker]

I can be honest when I say I do love doing the interviews. I do like doing the phoners. It just. You know what sucks more than anything?

[Radio Host]

Yeah. When it gets in the way. You're partying.

[Uncle Cracker]

That was an accident.

[Radio Host]

If I read correctly yesterday, you and Kid Rock are all hanging out since you're kids, and then you start playing with them, and then before you know it, you're recording your own album in the back of his tour bus. Yep. Is that the story right there?

[Uncle Cracker]

That's pretty much the story.

[Radio Host]

Cool. Good talking to you. Thanks for coming in.

[Uncle Cracker]

That's.

[Radio Host]

I mean, what an incredible story now. And you met through your brother?

[Hers Weight Loss Advertiser]

Yeah.

[Uncle Cracker]

Yeah. Well, they. They went out. They went up against each other in this DJ competition. And this was back. I was 13, and it was at some teen club. There was actually a bar that turned into a teen club on Sunday nights. So, like the. The famous DJ back in Detroit back in, like, in the 80s, was a guy named the Wizard. He was on WJLB that was up in Detroit. So nobody here cares about that. But he held this DJ competition, and my brother and Kid Rock went up against each other in this. In this, you know, this contest thing, and something happened. They became good friends, and then me and Kid Rock became best friends out of it.

[Radio Host]

Wow.

[Uncle Cracker]

Cool. Very cool. They fell out over something stupid. And, you know, we became good friends. I don't know how it happened, really, but.

[Radio Host]

So you, like. He, like, basically broke up with the girl and he snuck right in. That's kind of what happened.

[Uncle Cracker]

It was just. No, my brother was just one of them kids who didn't really care about anything.

[Radio Host]

Yeah.

[Uncle Cracker]

You know, so. And I don't know, which makes him a good manager these days.

[Radio Host]

I'm guessing Kid Rock is probably the same way. He didn't care about.

[Uncle Cracker]

Hell no.

[Radio Host]

Come on. The guy is coming out to. What was it? What award show was it a couple of weeks ago with a big old joint in his head?

[Radio Co-host]

The MTV Awards?

[Radio Host]

Yeah. It was The MTV Awards. Yeah.

[Uncle Cracker]

You know, he cares. You know, he actually has a heart and he cares and, you know, he's one of them guys. I don't know, like, you know, a question I get a lot is, you know, would you want him to marry your daughters type thing?

[Radio Host]

Only if your daughter's Pamela Anderson. You must have been high fiving him all the way down the street with the Pamela Anderson thing.

[Hers Weight Loss Advertiser]

They're getting married.

[Uncle Cracker]

I don't know what the hell they're doing.

[Radio Host]

It's cool for you to sit back and watch that, though. Here's a guy you're spinning with since you're like 13 and now he's dating Pam.

[Uncle Cracker]

No, it's good, man. You know, high fives are good. I just, you know what? I. I've been gone, though. I've been, you know, that whole Kid Rack thing took a break like what, six, seven months ago.

[Radio Host]

Yeah.

[Uncle Cracker]

And, you know, I watched all them cats go home and, you know, while they all went to Detroit, I went, you know, the opposite direction. And I've been promoting this record for myself.

[Radio Host]

Are you done talking about the Kid Rock years and stuff and it's just ready to move on and do the Uncle Crackers?

[Uncle Cracker]

No, not that I'm done talking about it because I'm still with the Kid Rock. Then, you know, we're doing another record with that. And, you know, he's my best friend. My loyalty's there. My. I'm not going anywhere anytime soon. So I just, you know, I'm not done. Tired of it. And there's no way. There's absolutely no way people are going to quit asking me about it.

[Radio Host]

Right.

[Uncle Cracker]

You know what I'm saying?

[Radio Host]

It's going to get on your nerves. It's going to get on your nerves.

[Radio Co-host]

Besides, he's, you know, he's.

[Uncle Cracker]

No, it's over. I mean, it's already got on my nerves.

[Radio Host]

Yeah.

[Uncle Cracker]

You know, 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.

[Radio Host]

Yeah.

[Uncle Cracker]

You know, because there wasn't enough Uncle Cracker stuff. But then, you know, the record started selling and then the Kid Rock questions weren't so bad.

[Radio Host]

Right.

[Uncle Cracker]

You know, because there was more Uncle Cracker. That it was. It was all right.

[Radio Host]

Yeah.

[Uncle Cracker]

What am I going to do?

[Radio Co-host]

Plus, it doesn't suck that he's dating Pamela because, you know, all the other girls on VIP are pretty hot.

[Hers Weight Loss Advertiser]

Yeah.

[Radio Host]

I mean, this must be kind of almost like a bit of a Culture shock to you now because now you're the. You're. You're the guy in the forefront and you're going through the stuff the kids been going through the last couple of years. This must be pretty damn cool for you.

[Uncle Cracker]

It's. I'll tell you what, it doesn't suck. Yeah, I have no complaints right now.

[Radio Host]

And the things that stink about it though are like getting up at 7 and being push and pulled and. You didn't have to do that stuff before.

[Uncle Cracker]

Right. Because, you know, if I wanted to get up at 9, I'd have went to college. That's why I didn't go get one of them high paying jobs.

[Radio Host]

I think it's like inside, like, how much do you get, like off of every single that sold? I mean, have you gotten like the first huge check yet?

[Uncle Cracker]

No, in fact, I haven't seen a penny from this record.

[Radio Host]

Seriously?

[Uncle Cracker]

Seriously. I mean, everything's about a year behind. You know, 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. And it'd probably take about a year before you saw anything from it.

[Radio Host]

So you haven't been able to buy anything really cool yet.

[Uncle Cracker]

No, I think.

[Radio Host]

Don't get me wrong, I got that.

[Uncle Cracker]

Kid Rock record, dude. Yeah, that's pretty good.

[Radio Host]

That's right.

[Uncle Cracker]

That's why my record was kind of a bonus. Nobody needed this record. You know what's gonna be sweet, though, is when it does come in. That'll be nice. Yeah, well, my accountant will be all happy, you know, rolling around naked. It was red for a while.

[Radio Host]

How many cars you have? Come on, it's okay if you can't even count them out. You can't remember how many cars you have. You got a lot of cars.

[Uncle Cracker]

Like I said, though, I haven't been home in a while either.

[Radio Co-host]

If it's slipping your mind, can I.

[Uncle Cracker]

No. It's fresh, though.

[Radio Host]

I just want.

[Uncle Cracker]

I just bought an El Camino, though. That is so sweet.

[Radio Host]

I dig el Caminos.

[Uncle Cracker]

The 71 with the 454. This thing is. Brad, we were just talking about El.

[Radio Host]

Caminos the other day.

[Uncle Cracker]

Those things are dope. I'm saying they're sweet.

[Radio Host]

That's a good thing, right though? That's good.

[Radio Co-host]

Little Jewish man equals no slang.

[Uncle Cracker]

Are you Jewish?

[Radio Host]

Yeah, dude.

[Uncle Cracker]

Oh, man. Look at the schnaut.

[Radio Host]

Does that mean we're gonna end the interview now?

[Uncle Cracker]

I don't know. I'm just kidding. No, you guys brought it up. I didn't. I like everybody.

[Radio Host]

So long as they're buying your record.

[Uncle Cracker]

As long as they're buying the record.

[Radio Host]

As long as the little Jewish guy keeps playing track number seven. I'm digging the Jews. So you got the new CD coming out. Are we gonna, like, start seeing you in movies and TV and all this, too?

[Uncle Cracker]

You know what? I'm gonna stay out of the movies. And, you know, the record's out now. It's called Double Wide. And, you know, the single, obviously, Follow Me, and the next single's yeah, yeah, yeah. And I'm just here that, you know, hoping that you're gonna, you know, put the yeah, yeah, yeah song in and press repeat.

[Radio Host]

Isn't Follow Me. Isn't it about a dude that wants the woman to leave his wife and come hang out with him?

[Uncle Cracker]

It's just kind of like, you know, what you don't know won't hurt you or what they don't know won't hurt them.

[Radio Host]

It's about infidelity.

[Uncle Cracker]

It's a very war of the rose. You're dark infidelity. I live in a dark place. I live in a very dark place. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Radio Host]

You know what you need to find Judaism.

[Uncle Cracker]

Yeah, Uncle Cracker, I'm converting. I'm going to be. I want to turn into one.

[Radio Co-host]

Listen, when you finish your conversion, I've already got your first spin, the dreidel of love.

[Uncle Cracker]

In fact, I'm halfway converted just from.

[Radio Co-host]

Being this close to Bert.

[Radio Host]

Yeah, yeah. Judaism is contagious, dude. You walk out of here, you want kefilta, fish and moss, and you won't even know why.

[Uncle Cracker]

I already can't stand Christmas. I can feel it. There's a lot days.

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That's right.

[Uncle Cracker]

All right, man.

[Radio Host]

Good meeting you.

[Uncle Cracker]

Really nice meeting you, too, dude. Appreciate it.

[Radio Host]

Uncle Cracker in studio this morning.

[Uncle Cracker]

The bird show.

[Radio Host]

Dude, did you order the new iPhone 17 Pro?

[Uncle Cracker]

Got it from Verizon, the best 5G network in America. I never look so good. You look the same. But with this camera, everything looks better. Especially me.

[Radio Host]

You haven't changed your hair in 15 years.

[Uncle Cracker]

Selfies.

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