Country music star Charley Crockett has been forced to scrap the Canadian leg of his tour after being denied entry into the country — not once, but twice — due to a past felony drug conviction.
Crockett was scheduled to take the stage at Vancouver’s Orpheum Theatre on Feb. 21, but Canadian authorities refused to allow him across the border. The singer shared an image on Instagram of a letter from the Canadian government explaining the decision. According to the document, he was denied entry under subsection 44(1) of Canada’s Immigration and Refugee Act because of a felony conviction in 2016.
“Everybody’s got a past,” Crockett wrote in his post. “Mine’s still haunting me.”
The Grammy-nominated artist told fans he made two attempts within a 24-hour period to enter the country. After being turned away in Vancouver, he tried again at a crossing in Kelowna, only to be rejected a second time.
“I tried to cross the Canadian border twice in 24 hours,” Crockett explained. “After they denied me entry in Vancouver, I tried again in Kelowna and was rejected a 2nd time.”
Following the second denial, Crockett said he was advised that attempting to cross again could jeopardize his freedom. Faced with that warning, he made the difficult decision to cancel his entire Canadian tour.
“I’ve been advised that it would jeopardize my freedom to try and enter again. I’m deeply sorry to announce the cancelation of my entire Canadian tour,” he told his followers.
Crockett assured fans that full refunds would be available at the point of purchase, though he acknowledged that reimbursement would not fully make up for the inconvenience.
“This doesn’t begin to make up for ya’ll’s time and hard earned money,” he wrote. “I apologize to everyone affected. I know I let y’all down.”
Despite the setback, Crockett struck a hopeful tone, expressing appreciation for his Canadian fans and vowing to return.
“Canada’s such a beautiful country full of some of the best fans in the world, and I’ve had the time of my life playing shows for y’all,” he said. “I ain’t one to quit and I aim to be back one of these days real soon.”
The denial stems from Crockett’s past legal troubles. According to The Globe and Mail, officials arrested the singer in Virginia in 2014 on charges of felony marijuana possession and trafficking. That conviction ultimately led to the immigration issue that derailed his tour plans years later.
For now, Crockett’s Canadian fans will have to wait. The episode serves as a reminder that past convictions can carry lasting consequences — even for a successful touring musician with a devoted international following.
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