Texas country music star Charley Crockett has called off his Canadian tour, which included a Saskatoon stop, after being refused entry into the country over a prior drug conviction. The 41-year-old singer-songwriter expressed regret on social media, acknowledging that his past continues to affect him.
Originally, Crockett was set to perform at Saskatoon’s TCU Place before heading to various Canadian cities, including Winnipeg, Windsor, Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, and Niagara Falls, with plans to wrap up in Calgary in July. However, he and his band were denied entry at both Vancouver and Kelowna, British Columbia, under section 44(1) of the Immigration and Refugee Act due to a felony marijuana possession and trafficking conviction in Virginia back in March 2016.
Crockett, who last toured Canada in 2024 and performed in Toronto and Saskatchewan in recent years, expressed his disappointment to his Canadian fans, highlighting the beauty of the country and the support he has received. Jake Vaadeland and his band, who were scheduled to open for Crockett at various tour stops, also expressed regret for missing the opportunity to perform for the audience.
Known for his country-folk style, Charley Crockett has released 15 albums since 2015, with his latest record, “Age Of The Ram,” part of the Sagebrush Trilogy that began with the 2025 album “Dollar a Day.” His ongoing 2026 North American tour, which started in Seattle, will resume in Pennsylvania on March 7.
The cancellation of Crockett’s tour had a significant impact locally, affecting not just the artist and performers but also the venue, TCU Place, and the broader arts and cultural scene in Saskatoon. Kirby Wirchenko, the venue’s director of theatre and programming, emphasized the disappointment felt by fans and the community, with refunds being issued to ticket holders.