Saskatchewan-born singer-songwriter Jeffery Straker shares A Very Prairie Christmas, a 12-song recording shaped by nearly a decade of his beloved annual holiday shows. Blending nostalgic classics, intimate arrangements, and Straker’s signature piano-driven storytelling, the album captures the way Christmas memories evolve while still holding their magic.

“When I was selecting these songs, I had the benefit of having performed my annual holiday show for nine years,” Straker explains. “Listeners enjoyed my originals, but it was clear that the classic Christmas tunes were important and needed to be included. Folks have so many memories attached to those songs. If there was a thought bubble over everyone’s head in the auditorium – with a little movie-of-memories playing while we performed – each song would be different for everyone.”

What can you share with readers about your new project?

This is my first ever full-length recording of Christmas music that I’ve released for fans. I’ve released a couple short EPs of holiday music in the past, but those were only available on the streaming services. Every year for the past 10 years I’ve done a tour of holiday shows on the Canadian prairies, and after those shows fans have always asked if there was a CD or vinyl of the holiday music at the merch table. Unfortunately, I always said “no” …so this summer, I got together with my longtime guitar player who put on his engineering/producer hat, and we put together this recording. Recording Christmas music in peak August heat was a bit of a mind-bending experience but we set up a Christmas tree and got into the mood. It was pretty fun (I just told myself it was Christmas in Florida). My long running holiday show has always been called “A Very Prairie Christmas”. So, I titled this album with the same name. It’s got 12 songs: 8 covers of Christmas Classics, and 4 originals that I wrote myself.

How does this release compare with your other projects you had in the past?

I love how this recording turned out. One thing that’s different about it is that all of the musicians who played on it are from Saskatchewan, except for two who are from the neighbouring province Alberta. It’s an all-prairie cast of incredible talent. Typically, my recordings are my original folk-roots/Americana tunes which are quite story-driven and rootsy. So, it was quite different performing and recording so many covers on this album. But with that you become an interpreter of other people’s writing and that’s a whole other skillset you need to tap into. It was a good and fun challenge trying to keep this music all sounding fresh.

What about this single makes you most proud?

The first single of this album is an original of mine called “Never Too Old to Wish”. It’s a story-song and I really like how it turned out with the arrangement we have on the recording. There’s a mandolin that drives it along and the instrumentation is all fairly subtle. The inspiration of the song comes from having felt the meaning of Christmas change over the years as I’ve grown older. The season for me is still filled with a lot of joy, even though I’ve lost people along the way – over the past 6 years both of my parents have passed away. The song tries to nod to how the upbeat season meets with other emotions, like the absence of those who are no longer with us. I’ve had people message me about the tune telling me how they’ve really felt it sink into their hearts, and that means a lot.

Was there a specific goal you were trying to accomplish with this release?

I think the goal with this album is similar to the goal of my annual holiday show and that is I really want it to be something that helps people feel the joy of the festive season. I think I’ve got a good mix of up-tempo and slower tunes on the album and I tried to order the playlist much like a setlist at a show. I hope it’s something people can turn on and get all the Christmastime feels.

What inspires you to create music? What motivates you to keep going?

I really thrive on seeing and feeling music connect with listeners. You can feel it when you’re in a room with an audience performing at a live show. It’s intangible, but there’s something in the air in a room when the songs are really sinking into people’s hearts and souls. And if people tell me after a show about a certain tune and how it landed for them, that’s really why I do this. I think that’s probably what I love about being in the folk-roots genre the most, in that it’s really all about the story and bringing people into it. I still think if you can strip a song down to a single instrument and a single voice, and if it can still touch people, you know you’ve got a winner.

If you could collaborate with anyone – dead or alive, famous or unknown – who would it be and why? If it’s an indie/DIY artist, please include a link so readers can check them out.

Dolly Parton. Full stop. What a dream that would be! Dream big they say….

What was the last song you listened to? Favorite all-time bands/artists?

I just listened to Kathleen Edwards latest album ‘Billionaire’ and just loved all the songs on it.

Favourite all time artist?  Gosh that’s a tough one and it really depends on the day. Though I think I might have to say John Prine.

Where is the best place to find you and stay connected?

Best place to find me is either my Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/jefferystraker/) or Facebook Fan Page (https://www.facebook.com/jeffery.straker.music/).  

Also I invite folks to sign up for my email newsletter for the latest news about releases, tour dates, new merch, etc: https://mailchi.mp/jeffstraker/email-newsletter-sign-up-page