Bringing Country Back to Edmonton: The CFR Backroads Series

After the success of the 2025 CCMA Country Crawl, we were ready to keep the momentum rolling and the tunes playing. This fall, we brought the country back to Edmonton with the Canadian Finals Rodeo (CFR) Backroads Series, a celebration of live music that connected artists, venues and audiences across YEG!

Over the course of the series, 35 artists brought their best and lit up the stage at 16 shows across 13 venues. From intimate performances to high-energy sets, over 1,000 music fans came together to experience the diverse sounds of country music in some of Edmonton’s best music joints.

Musicians from across Alberta and beyond had the chance to perform in unique spaces, share their stories and grow their audiences. The result was a stronger connection between Edmonton’s artists, venues and the fans who make live music thrive.

Feedback from both artists and venues echoed the same sentiment: this series hit all the right notes. Artists praised the thoughtful curation, seamless logistics and strong communication, while venues highlighted the effective promotion and overall execution of the program.

We’re always thrilled to champion local artists, support community venues, and bring people together through live music. Edmonton’s country scene is alive and well and we can’t wait to see where the backroads take us next! Huge thanks to Explore Edmonton, CFR, and the City of Edmonton for supporting this series.