Uncle Kracker tours solo before boarding Train trek

With his new album due to hit online retailers tomorrow (9/15), Detroit-based DJ/singer/songwriter Uncle Kracker is setting his sights on a round of early October headlining shows that will precede his subsequent run as the opening act for pop-rockers Train.

The roadwork begins with a half-dozen Midwestern headlining dates that kick off Oct. 1 in Cincinnati, followed by an Oct. 17 appearance at a Las Vegas radio-station festival that will also feature performances from Blue October, Parachute and Train. From there, Kracker will join Train's fall headlining trek, which picks up Oct. 20 in Seattle and runs through a Nov. 23 finale in Dallas.

Before hitting the road for his full-blown tour plans, Uncle Kracker--real name is Matt Shafer--will mark tomorrow's (9/15) online release of his new album, 'Happy Hour," with an appearance at the Hard Rock Cafe in New York City, and a Wednesday (9/16) night performance in his hometown. Details for all of the upcoming shows are included below.

"Happy Hour," Uncle Kracker's fourth studio set, features the leadoff single "Smile." The song's companion music video recently debuted on VH1's "Top 20 Countdown," an upcoming episode of which Uncle Kracker will host, according to a press release.

"Smile" has already racked up digital sales in excess of 150,000 copies, and is in the Top 15 on iTunes' "Top Pop Songs" chart, as well as in the Top 40 on iTunes' "Top Songs" chart. The track is also enjoying some additional exposure via its use in promotional commercials for ABC's Sunday-night lineup.

On Saturday (9/19) Uncle Kracker will perform "Smile" on CBS's "The Early Show Saturday Edition."