Texas country music artist Charley Crockett has called off his upcoming shows in Canada, including a Saskatoon performance, after being denied entry into the country over a prior drug offense. The 41-year-old singer-songwriter was slated to appear at Saskatoon’s TCU Place before continuing his tour to other Canadian cities like Winnipeg, Windsor, Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, and Niagara Falls, as well as a planned stop in Calgary in July.
In a statement on his Instagram account, Crockett acknowledged his past, stating, “Everybody’s got a past. Mine’s still haunting me.” He was convicted in Virginia in 2016 for felony possession and trafficking of marijuana. Despite attempting to enter Canada through Vancouver and Kelowna, British Columbia, Crockett and his band were refused entry under section 44(1) of the Immigration and Refugee Act due to the 2016 conviction.
Crockett, who previously toured Canada in 2024 and performed in Toronto last summer and Saskatchewan in 2023, expressed regret to his fans, acknowledging the impact of the cancellation. Local artist Jake Vaadeland and his band, set to open for Crockett at various tour stops, also expressed disappointment over missing the opportunity to perform.
Known for his country-folk style and numerous albums released since 2015, including his upcoming record “Age Of The Ram” from the Sagebrush Trilogy, Crockett’s North American tour, which kicked off in Seattle, will resume in Pennsylvania on March 7.
Kirby Wirchenko, the director of theatre and programming at TCU Place, highlighted the broader impact of the cancellation on the local arts, culture, and economy. He emphasized the significance of such events not only for the artists but also for the local community and fans, expressing disappointment over the lost opportunity for a vibrant “Americana roots week” at TCU Place. Refunds are being issued to ticket holders affected by the cancellation.