Uncle Kracker "frustrated" by album delay

DETROIT (Billboard) - A "more than frustrated" Uncle Kracker has been doing some more recording for his long-delayed fourth album, "Happy Hour," which he turned in a full year ago but which likely won't come out before the middle of 2008.

"While I have time and I'm sitting around, I've been in the studio doing stuff," Kracker told Billboard.com. "I'm not gonna touch the good (songs). But there's some on there I can beat. I figure if I've got time, why not go in and beat 'em. In the end, it's better."

Kracker (real name: Matt Shafer) said executives at Atlantic Records have cited "marketplace" considerations as a reason for holding up "Happy Hour." He knew that this year's fourth quarter would be unlikely, with priority releases by James Blunt, matchbox twenty and especially Kracker's good pal and former employer Kid Rock.

"Between those three records alone," Kracker said, "I had nothing to do but wait in line." The label has mentioned an early June release for "Happy Hour" but hasn't set an exact date yet.

"Happy Hour" is the follow-up to "Seventy Two & Sunny," which peaked at No. 39 on the Billboard 200 in July 2004.

Kracker, meanwhile, has been laying low since agreeing to a plea bargain for misdemeanor assault stemming from an August incident at a nightclub in Cary, N.C. After initially facing criminal sexual assault charges, he was fined $1,500, given a year's probation and ordered to undergo alcohol counseling.

Publicity from the incident cost him two high-profile concerts in his hometown of Detroit, but Kracker didn't think there would be long-term consequences. "I've seen the dust settling already," he said. "I think the immediate attention, the bell was rung there. But long term ... no, not really. I'm not completely happy that I didn't go to trial, but I'm glad it's over and behind me."

Reuters/Billboard