2025 Canadian Folk Music Award – Contemporary Folk Singer of the Year
Singer-songwriter pianist Jeffery Straker serves up a rootsy-storytelling brand of song that has been said to transport listeners - out onto a northern Canadian Lake or to the main street of a prairie town. With critical comparisons to the likes of Kris Kristofferson, Jackson Browne and Murray McLauchlan he’s twice been named 'Roots-Folk Artist of the Year' in the Saskatchewan Music Awards & has been honoured with a Western Canadian Music Award. The Sask. Country Music Awards have named him keyboard player of the year 5 years running. Straker released his ninth recording “Great Big Sky” in June 2024 – steeped with themes of the Canadian prairies. AmericanaUK praised it saying “With emotional and sonic depth, Great Big Sky is an album we’d thoroughly recommend”. The album saw Jeffery win the 2025 Canadian Folk Music Award for ‘Contemporary Canadian Folk Singer of the Year’.
Produced by Steve Dawson at ‘The Henhouse’ in Nashville TN, it was recorded live off the floor lending to its authentic feel. Inspired by the wide-open endless panorama of the Saskatchewan sky it delivers a singer-songwriter flavour rich in imagery.
CKUA broadcaster Alison Brock has said: “I must admit to being a latecomer to the Jeffery Straker party, but like all good parties once you’re there you’re really glad you came and you sure don’t want to leave.” Some unexpected praise came in the form of royal recognition from His Majesty King Charles III who was moved by a song on Jeffery’s new album after a copy was (somehow) delivered to Buckingham Palace. The King’s message about the song and well-wishes for Straker’s UK tour made national news across Canada.
Proud of his prairie roots, Jeffery debuted his album ‘Great Big Sky’ with a series of unique performances in grain elevators in Saskatchewan. He followed that up with performances throughout Canada, in Nashville Tennessee, the UK and Ireland. Continuing to reach audiences in unique ways, Jeffery was invited by CBC’s “The Current” to perform in a live national radio broadcast sharing songs from the recording. He was also chosen to represent Canada in a week-long residency performing in Osaka Japan at Expo 2025.
Leading up to Christmas '25 Straker released a new 12-song holiday album titled 'A Very Prairie Christmas'. The recording received several playlist adds including the CBCMusic "Country Christmas" stream. The 'Find Your Sounds' playlist/blog said of the release: "With warmth, wit, and a deep sense of reflection, Saskatchewan-born singer-songwriter Jeffery Straker shares the magic of memory, the joy of togetherness, and the beauty of growing older without losing your sense of wonder." The album reached #33 in the Canadian Earshot Top 50 all-genre radio charts for Dec 2025.
Wherever he performs his audience connections are stand-out as described by CBC Radio who said: “He has a way of drawing us into his world and making us feel like we’re an old friend he’s ready to catch up with”. www.jeffstraker.com