Jeffery Straker Brings Prairie Charm to the Holidays with A Very Prairie Christmas

Saskatchewan-born singer-songwriter Jeffery Straker has released A Very Prairie Christmas, a 12-song collection shaped by nearly a decade of his annual holiday shows. The album blends nostalgic classics, intimate arrangements, and Straker’s signature piano-driven storytelling, capturing 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.”

After years of fans asking at the merch table whether a Christmas album existed, Straker finally set out to record one, naming the project after his long-running shows. The entire album was recorded and produced in Saskatchewan with a cast of local musicians. Sessions took place in July and August, with summer heat outside and a Christmas tree set up inside his living room-turned-studio.

“It was fascinating how the songs immediately transported us into full festive mode,” he says. “These songs were all I needed to virtually hang some holly and lights around my house.”

Designed like a concert setlist, the album balances moods and tempos, mixing moments of celebration with quiet reflection. “Christmas can be complicated,” he shares. “Part of the joy comes from taking stock of where we’ve been – both the ups and the downs. I have a lot to be grateful for, and I’ve also lost family and friends that I wish I could be with at this time of year. I hope these songs are a space where listeners can let all those feelings play out.”

The album’s focus track, “Holly Jolly Christmas,” has been a long-standing audience favourite from Straker’s holiday shows. Written by Johnny Marks and made famous by Burl Ives, the song radiates bright, nostalgic cheer.

“It’s like the flashing coloured lights on a Christmas tree,” Straker says. “I don’t think Christmas is complete without this song and its spirit-lifting powers.”

The recorded version reflects the full-band energy of his hometown performances, featuring a 10-piece ensemble with upright piano, drums, upright bass, mandolin, acoustic guitar, two violins, saxophone, trumpet, and two backing singers. “It’s short, sweet, and pure Christmas magic,” Straker says. “The message is simple: it’s Christmastime, so be happy and celebrate it.”

Straker brings a rootsy, storytelling style to his music, transporting listeners to northern lakes, prairie towns, and the warmth of home. His clever lyricism and energetic piano work have drawn comparisons to Kris Kristofferson, Jackson Browne, and Murray McLauchlan, while remaining distinctly his own. Twice named Roots-Folk Artist of the Year at the Saskatchewan Music Awards and honoured with a Western Canadian Music Award, he is also a four-time Saskatchewan Country Music Awards Keyboard Player of the Year. In 2025 the Canadian Folk Music Awards named him Contemporary Folk Singer of the Year. His past year of touring has taken him coast to coast across Canada, introduced him to Japanese audiences, and included performances across England, along with gaining a fan in HM King Charles III.

Raised on a Saskatchewan grain farm listening to country music while studying classical piano, Straker later drew inspiration from Joni Mitchell and Gordon Lightfoot. These influences helped shape his own songwriting voice. With A Very Prairie Christmas, Straker unites nostalgic classics, prairie warmth, and new original material to create an album that is both timeless and deeply personal.

Whether listening for the first time or revisiting favourites from his annual shows, the album invites audiences to experience the magic, joy, and reflection of the holiday season through Straker’s prairie perspective.