Headliners announced as Craven Country Jamboree gets new name

Craven Country Jamboree is getting a new name – and some big headliners – for 2017.

The rebrand was announced Thursday in Regina, along with the lineup for next year’s music festival in Craven.

The festival will now be called Country Thunder Saskatchewan. It’s one of four festivals under the name – the others taking place in Arizona, Wisconsin and Alberta.

“It’s always going to be Craven, there’s no doubt about that,” said Troy Vollhoffer, the executive producer for the festival.

“All this does for us is allow us better buying power, it adds more assets to the show.”

And buy they did: next year’s headliners include Blake Shelton, Toby Keith and Keith Urban.

The three country music icons will play in that order, each on their own night, from July 14-16.

Canadian country musician Dallas Smith was at Thursday’s announcement. He’s returning to the festival to open for Toby Keith on July 15.

 “(The Saskatchewan crowd) always comes out in great numbers and they just seem to really have fun with a lot of us and it just allows us to have a great time up on stage,” Smith said.

Organizers noted the festival will look at being more “family friendly,” but Craven regulars shouldn’t expect too many changes.

“Anyone who loved the Craven Country Jamboree is going to love Country Thunder Saskatchewan,” said general manager Kim Blevins.

Tickets for the event are available online.