Texas country music artist Charley Crockett has called off his Canadian tour, which included a stop in Saskatoon, after being refused entry into the country over a previous drug conviction. Originally, he was set to perform at Saskatoon’s TCU Place before continuing to Winnipeg, Windsor, Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, and Niagara Falls, with a planned return to the U.S. A July show in Calgary was also on the agenda.
Responding to the denial, the 41-year-old singer-songwriter shared on his Instagram account, “Everybody’s got a past. Mine’s still haunting me.” Crockett’s past felony convictions for marijuana possession and trafficking in Virginia in March 2016 led to his entry denial under section 44(1) of the Immigration and Refugee Act when attempting to enter Canada through Vancouver and Kelowna, British Columbia.
Crockett had previously toured Canada in 2024 and had performances in Toronto and Saskatchewan in 2023. Expressing regret, he stated, “I apologize to everyone affected. I know I let y’all down.” The artist praised Canadian fans, calling the country “full of some of the best fans in the world.”
Jake Vaadeland and his band, who were scheduled to open for Crockett at various tour stops, also expressed disappointment over missing out on the performances. Crockett, known for his country-folk music, has released 15 albums since 2015, with his latest record, “Age Of The Ram,” part of his Sagebrush Trilogy, following the 2025 album “Dollar a Day.” His 2026 North American tour began in Seattle and will resume in Pennsylvania on March 7.
The cancellation of the tour had local impacts, according to Kirby Wirchenko, the director of theatre and programming at TCU Place. Wirchenko highlighted the broader effects on local arts, culture, and the economy, emphasizing the disappointment felt by fans, artists, and staff due to the cancellation. Refunds are being processed for ticket holders affected by the tour cancellation.
