Ottawa (Rajeev Sharma): Acclaimed Texas country singer Charley Crockett has been forced to cancel the Canadian leg of his 2026 North American tour after being denied entry into the country this past weekend. The 41-year-old musician, known for his unique blend of country-folk and blues, was scheduled to perform at Saskatoon’s TCU Place this Wednesday, February 25, followed by a series of shows across major cities including Toronto, Montreal, and Ottawa.
The denial of entry stems from a March 2016 conviction in Virginia for felony possession and trafficking of marijuana. In a heartfelt post on his Instagram account, Crockett explained that he and his band attempted to cross into Canada through Vancouver and Kelowna, B.C., but were turned away under section 44(1) of the Immigration and Refugee Act. “Everybody’s got a past,” Crockett wrote. “Mine’s still haunting me.”
The cancellation comes as a shock to fans, especially since Crockett had toured Canada as recently as 2024 and performed in Saskatchewan during the summer of 2023. The sudden change also impacts opening acts, including the Juno Award-winning Saskatchewan artist Jake Vaadeland and The Sturgeon River Boys, who were slated to join Crockett for several performances. Vaadeland shared his disappointment on social media, expressing hope that they would have the chance to play for those audiences in the near future.
Local venue organizers have highlighted the broader economic and cultural impact of the cancellation. Kirby Wirchenko, director of programming at TCU Place, noted that such events hurt the local arts community and leave fans deeply disappointed. Ticket holders for the canceled dates, including the Saskatoon performance, are being issued full refunds. Crockett’s tour is expected to resume in the United States on March 7 in Pennsylvania, following the upcoming April 3 release of his new album, Age Of The Ram.
