Arts
www.SanTanSun.com
July 4 - July 17, 2015
59
Uncle Kracker to play every single ‘Under the Sun’ BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI
Uncle Kracker prefers not to sit around. He feels more comfortable on a consistent tour for six or seven weeks, instead of periodic shows. “I like getting out on tour when it’s a tour that’s booked, so you start and then you end and then you go home and sit for a minute,” said Uncle Kracker, otherwise known as Michigan-bred Matt Shafer. “I like it better than a continuous, all-year run where it never really stops. You just keep bouncing home. It gets monotonous and never ending.” Calling from Grand Prairie, Alberta, Canada, Uncle Kracker will soon travel with the “Under the Sun” tour, which also boasts performances by Sugar Ray, Eve 6 and Better Than Ezra. It kicks off Friday, July 17, at Wild Horse Pass Hotel & Casino’s Ovations Showroom. “I love being able to play, drive to the next city and play again the next night,” he said. “I love how action packed it will be. Just bam, bam, bam. Before you know it, after a couple weeks, you’ve hit 10 cities in two weeks. It feels good. It feels like you’ve done something.” Sugar Ray’s Mark McGrath, who founded the tour that differs yearly, said he admires Uncle Kracker. “He’s such a gentleman and a great guy, his whole band,” McGrath explains. “They really exemplify what this tour’s about.
Every band on here has to share the same spirit—a willingness to please the crowd. Instead of saying, ‘Here’s a new one.’ We’re saying, ‘Let’s play these short sets and hit them with all the hits.’ I can’t think of a better partner to drive around the country than Uncle Kracker.” One thing Uncle Kracker likes about “Under the Sun” is that—literally—all four acts are playing all of their hits under the sun. “Everybody just comes out, they play their hits and leave,” Uncle Kracker said. “It’s a good blend of everybody and everything. If I find myself playing an hour and a half, I will play new songs to people who don’t want to hear them. It gets frustrating, but it’s the way it’s been done for years and that’s the way it’ll always be done.” Speaking of which, Uncle Kracker is working on new songs for an album that’s “almost in the can.” “I’ve been finding myself (writing music) that’s almost reminiscent of my very first album—rap stuff mixed with old, classic country—back to some poppy, vibe fun. It’s very all over the place,” said Uncle Kracker, who has three daughters ages 16, 15 and 11. “I’m doing something that’s fun to me. I keep going back to what I like.” His musical tastes these days are focused on rap, particularly focusing on
Michigan-bred Uncle Kracker is Kid Rock’s former DJ. The singer, known for his single, “Smile,” will perform at Wild Horse Pass Hotel and Casino on Friday, July 17. Submitted photo
Machine Gun Kelly and Mac Miller. “I like the way these kids use their words and have fun,” said Uncle Kracker, who formerly served as Kid Rock’s DJ. “It reminds me of when I was a kid.” Under the Sun with Sugar Ray, Better Than Ezra, Uncle Kracker and Eve 6 perform at 8 p.m. Friday, July 17, at Wild Horse Pass Hotel and Casino’s Ovations
Showroom, 5040 Wild Horse Pass Blvd., Chandler. Tickets are $63 to $99. For more information, call (800) 946-4452 or visit www.wingilariver.com. Christina Fuoco-Karasinski is the executive editor of the SanTan Sun News. She can be reached at christina@ santansun.com.
Because Being Beautiful Should Never Harm You
Is your hair feeling the effects of Summer?
50
%
OFF
Deep Conditioning Treatment and/or
Malibu Vitamin C Clarifying Treatment May not be combined with any other offer. Does not include blowout/style. Must be scheduled with an appointment as stylist will need time to complete the service. 480-786-1111 Offer good through July 31, 2015
1900 W. Germann Rd. Ste. 11 • Chandler • www.VerdeSalonAZ.com • 480-786-1111
Fundraiser set for Valley Youth Theatre The Valley Youth Theatre’s stars, as well as cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, silent and live auctions, will be included in the annual fundraising event, which will be held at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 22, at
Herberger Theater Center, 222 E. Monroe, Phoenix. Tickets are $125 to $250. For more information, call (602) 2538188 or visit www.vyt.com.