Jake Vaadeland and The Sturgeon River Boys on stage Dec. 16

Posted on December 10, 2025 by Ryan Dahlman

Wendy Thienes

Shaunavon Standard Local Journalism Initiative

Jake Vaadeland and The Sturgeon River Boys are bringing Vaadeland’s holiday album Goodness Gracious, It’s Christmas! to the stage of The Plaza Theatre in Shaunavon on Tuesday, December 16 in a Christmas show that is touring 22 communities across Western Canada in November and December.

The Goodness Gracious, It’s Christmas! album was recorded live during last year’s Christmas tour and it captures the warmth, humour, and nostalgic charm Vaadeland brings to the stage each holiday season.

“This record really takes me back to the Christmases I grew up with on the farm,” shares Vaadeland. “It reminds me of the carolers going door to door, everyone gathered in the country church, and Christmas at Grandma and Grandpa’s — sleigh rides, skating on the pond, the house full of family, food, music, and laughter. Those memories shaped the way I see this season, and getting to share that feeling through these songs is really special to me.”

The holiday tour follows an exceptional stretch of global touring for Vaadeland, who has already performed across the U.K., Europe, and the United States — including three U.K. tours, a live-to-air performance on BBC Radio 2, and sold-out stops in Spain, Germany, the Netherlands, and Denmark. In early 2026, he’ll continue expanding that international reach with tour dates in Norway, Sweden, and Belgium, along with return shows in Denmark and the Netherlands — hitting a career milestone of more than 50,000 tickets sold worldwide across ten countries.

The group was a featured entertainer at last summer’s Big Flat Folk Fest in Eastend, Saskatchewan where they played to an appreciative crowd on a short stop after returning from Europe. They were a fan favourite at that southwest event and the December 16 concert is shaping up to demonstrate the same warm welcome with only a few single tickets remaining available for the concert.

Major achievements for Vaadeland in 2025 included his first JUNO Award for Traditional Roots Album of the Year, a CCMA Award for Alternative Country Album of the Year, a Western Canadian Music Award for Roots Artist of the Year, and became the youngest artist in history to receive Road Gold Certification for 25,000 tickets sold across Canada within 12 months. On November 30, Vaadeland added six Saskatchewan Country Music Association awards to his mantel, taking home Male Artist of the Year, along with Alternative Country Album of the Year; Interactive Artist of the Year; Record Producer of the Year; Fan’s Choice; and National/International Artist.

We asked Vaadeland what concert-goers can expect from the Christmas show. He says, “Whether it’s Christmas music or our other music, it’s about entertainment and putting on a show. There’s lots of movement on stage and lots of visuals: our old-time microphone, Grand Ole Opry style sign, fireplace mantel, grandfather clock, tree & presents. We’ve added our own flavour to well-known and lesser-known Christmas tunes. We’re keeping some of my originals in there too so it’s not all Christmas tunes. It’s all about entertaining. If people just wanted to hear music, we’d throw a record-player up on stage.” The show promises to be high energy and very entertaining.

Vaadeland had a good run touring with the Hunter Brothers a couple of years ago and lead singer Ty Hunter, as the new owner of The Plaza Theatre, is bringing Vaadeland’s Christmas show to his venue. Vaadeland says, “We want to take the show to as many places as possible, to communities big or small, so that everyone can get in on the live show.”

Vaadeland was raised in Cut Knife, Saskatchewan and says one of his biggest influences has been his grandfather. “People tell me that I talk like my grandfather and my mannerisms are a lot like him. We say our words slowly so that everyone can understand what we’re saying. A compliment I get on the road is that people can hear every word when I’m singing. That’s really important to me.” He contributes his vintage style and authentic vintage appeal to musical greats like Ernest Tubb, Faron Young, and Lester Flatt. He says, “I’m trying to bring that style of showmanship back.”

At just 22 years of age, Vaadeland has his sights set on another European tour in the New Year and would ideally like to record another album. He says the response to his music in Europe has been amazing. “We are assuming that they (European audience) are discovering this music for the first time. We have a following of a lot of young people with sold out crowds to people my age and they’re singing along word for word with my originals.” He adds, “I’d like to encourage young people here to appreciate live music and our style of music in that same way. There’s a culture for it in Europe and we could have that here again if we made it that way.”

Together with his band, The Sturgeon River Boys, Vaadeland promises to deliver a warm, energetic live show that connects across generations and backgrounds. Goodness Gracious, It’s Christmas! is available on all streaming platforms. For more information on Jake Vaadeland, new music, and tour dates, follow Jake Vaadeland across platforms or visit http://www.jakevaadeland.com.

A few tickets for the December 16 performance may still be available on The Plaza Theatre website at https://www.theplazatheatre.ca/.