It looks like hip-hop/country artist Uncle Kracker might be going through a rough time. A number of fans online have expressed their concern for the “Follow Me” hitmaker after the singer appeared to be in bad shape during a few recent live performances.
Matthew Schafer, who goes by the stage name Uncle Kracker, has opened for a number of Kenny Chesney’s concerts on the Sun Goes Down Tour. During a few performances over the last few weeks, fans have voiced concerns for Uncle Kracker. In videos surfacing online, the singer has been slurring during his songs and appeared to be struggling to get through some of his sets.
Videos by American Songwriter
Uncle Kracker has also kicked off his own tour recently. He performed at The Maverick in Tucson, Arizona recently. According to a few TikTok videos of the performance, he appeared physically ill on stage and drenched in sweat. A number of fans online who claimed to be in attendance have said that he briefly “passed out” during the performance before righting himself up again.
It’s worth noting that Tucson is particularly hot right now in July, so the combination of alcohol and extreme heat could have had an understandably poor effect on Uncle Kracker. Still, this isn’t the first performance in which he appeared to face some struggles.
Fans Are Concerned About Uncle Kracker
Quite a few fans of Uncle Cracker have taken to social media to voice the fact that they are concerned for the singer’s health.
“I love him so much…..but he needs to take care of himself,” said one fan in the comments of the above TikTok video.
“Nothing but prayers and positive vibes,” said another. “So sad to see because he’s an unbelievable talent that has battled these problems throughout his career.”
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It’s not completely clear what is going on with Uncle Kracker, nor what “these problems” refer to. Neither their singer nor his team have commented on his performances.
Born Matthew Shafer, he will open for Kenny Chesney at SoFi Stadium at 5 p.m. Saturday, July 20. Uncle Kracker guested on Chesney’s 2004 offering “When the Sun Goes Down.” On his own, he’s scored hits with “Drift Away” and “Follow Me.” The Mount Clemens, Michigan, native moved to Nashville a year ago and lives about 2 minutes from Chesney, he said.
Cracker recently spoke with Downtown Los Angeles about working alongside Chesney, who also happens to be his Nashville neighbor.
“Everything Chesney does is laidback, thought out, planned and prepped — no unanswered questions,” Uncle Kracker said. “It makes for a great atmosphere. Twenty years later, nothing’s changed. Everything is top shelf. Chesney creates such an environment, and he thrives in it.”
Photo by David A. Smith
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