REGINA — Just six months after introducing himself to Saskatchewan audiences for the first time, rising Canadian country star Sully Burrows is preparing for another career milestone.
On Sunday, July 12, the 19-year-old singer-songwriter from Parry Sound, Ont., will make his debut at Country Thunder Saskatchewan, marking the first time he has performed at any Country Thunder festival across North America.
It's another significant step for a young artist whose career has accelerated at remarkable speed over the past two years. The festival, held annually in Craven, remains one of Canada's largest country music events, drawing thousands of fans for four days of music and camping while sharing the stage with international headliners.
For Burrows, the opportunity carries special meaning.
"I've heard really great things about Country Thunder… all the festivals," he told SaskToday. "Getting to be a part of one of them is really cool."
His appearance comes after a whirlwind rise that began in the bars and restaurants around Muskoka and Parry Sound, where he spent his teenage years playing three-hour cover sets before audiences knew his name.
"I started writing songs when I was 14 and then started playing little gigs at restaurants and bars," Burrows recalled. "Then I kind of just started putting out music and playing full-band shows."
That steady climb has become one of Canadian country music's fastest success stories.
After signing with Partners Record Label in 2024, Burrows released his debut single, "Youth", co-written with fellow Canadian country star Owen Riegling. His follow-up single, "Rally Around", broke into the Billboard Canada Country Top 20, earned millions of streams and helped establish him as one of the country's emerging artists.
Since then, he has been named the CMAOntario Awards Emerging Artist of the Year and became a finalist in SiriusXM Top of the Country, while touring alongside artists including Andrew Hyatt, Jade Eagleson and High Valley.
His connection to Saskatchewan is still relatively new.
Burrows made his provincial debut on Jan. 30 at the Casino Regina Show Lounge, introducing his music to Saskatchewan audiences for the first time. Now, just months later, he'll perform before one of the province's largest country music crowds.
"I've never really spent much time in Saskatchewan," he said. "So I'm really excited to play in front of everybody there and just be a part of the whole festival."
Fans can expect a performance built around energy rather than elaborate production.
"I'd say it's a very high-energy set," Burrows said with a laugh. "I'm not doing any crazy backflips or anything, but we like to have fun on stage."
That straightforward approach reflects the music itself.
Raised in a small Ontario community with deep hockey roots, Burrows writes about the places and people he knows best. Influenced by Riley Green, Conner Smith and Eric Church, his songs blend modern country production with stories rooted in small-town life.
That authenticity has become a defining characteristic of his music.
Whether he's performing in a club or on a festival stage, Burrows approaches every audience the same way.
"I always get nervous before I go on stage," he admitted. "But it's the same mentality whether it's these bigger festivals or smaller club shows. Just go out, give it all you've got and have fun."
Country Thunder Saskatchewan offers one of the biggest opportunities of his young career. The four-day festival features a lineup that includes Lainey Wilson, Riley Green, Creed, Max McNown, Noeline Hofmann and many more, continuing a tradition that has made Craven one of North America's premier country music destinations.
Burrows plans to introduce festival-goers to his newest material, including his latest single, "Last Time", the current radio single "Put It on Me", and several songs still to be released later this year.
Above all, he hopes first-time listeners leave wanting to hear more.
"I try to make my songs as relatable as possible because a lot of them come from personal experiences," Burrows explained. "When people can relate to those experiences, that's how they connect with the music. Hopefully there are a couple people out there who haven't heard my music, really enjoy it and can relate to it."
