Top Dog/Atlantic recording artist Uncle Kracker has announced the upcoming release of “HAPPY HOUR – THE SOUTH RIVER ROAD SESSIONS.” The 6-song release arrives in stores and at all DSPs on June 22nd.
“HAPPY HOUR – THE SOUTH RIVER ROAD SESSIONS” features reinterpretations of tracks originally found on Uncle Kracker’s acclaimed 2009 album, “HAPPY HOUR,” recorded in Nashville by producers Keith Stegall (Alan Jackson, Zac Brown Band, George Jones) and Rob Cavallo (Kid Rock). Among the highlights is a country version of the RIAA platinum certified single, “Smile,” which reached #2 at Hot AC radio upon its initial release. Currently, “Smile” is approaching Top 25 at Country, with its companion video currently standing as both a top 5 smash on Great American Country’s Top 20 Country Countdown and a top 20 rotation favorite at CMT.
The release also includes new renditions of “Good To Be Me” featuring guest vocals from longtime friend/songwriting partner Kid Rock (who also produced the track) and “Me Again,” a touching duet with rising country singer Jesse Lee. Finally, “HAPPY HOUR – THE SOUTH RIVER ROAD SESSIONS” includes “Letter To My Daughters,” a classic cut from Uncle Kracker’s back catalogue specifically selected by the Detroit-based singer-songwriter for inclusion on this release.
Uncle Kracker is, of course, no stranger to the world of country music, having already topped Billboard’s “Hot Country Songs” chart for five consecutive weeks with “When The Sun Goes Down,” his 2004 collaboration with country superstar Kenny Chesney. In 2008, Uncle Kracker returned to the Country charts having co-written Kid Rock’s smash “All Summer Long” which peaked at #3. What’s more, Uncle Kracker has toured extensively with Chesney as both support act and special guest.
“I’ve always had a genuine passion for country. I think that audiences appreciate that, and that’s why they’re giving me a chance,” Uncle Kracker explains. “Country music was one of the types of music I grew up with, so elements of it naturally come out in my songwriting. Listening to a lot of my songs - all the way back to ‘Follow Me’ - I feel like I’ve been making country music for years.”
Next up, Uncle Kracker will celebrate the release of “HAPPY HOUR – THE SOUTH RIVER ROAD SESSIONS” with a visit to the 2010 CMT Music Awards, slated for broadcast Wednesday, June 9th on CMT (check local listings). He will then be among the star-studded line-up appearing in Nashville at the annual CMA Music Festival, scheduled for June 13th at the festival’s Riverfront Park Stage.
From there, the hard-traveling Uncle Kracker will embark on a summer-long tour that will include headline dates as well as shows at both music festivals and state and county fairs across America. For a complete itinerary and ticket information, please visit http://www.unclekracker.com/tour-dates.
Track Listing:
1. Smile
2. Good To Be Me (featuring Kid Rock)
3. Me Again (featuring Jesse Lee)
4. I’m Not Leaving
5. Living The Dream
6. Letter to My Daughters