As a longtime Barenaked Ladies fan, I was excited at the chance to review their kiddie CD, SNACKTIME, a couple months ago. My son and daughter have been enjoying songs like "Raisins," "Snacktime" and "789" while riding in the car. Then Steven Page, 38, the band's singer-guitarist was arrested in New York. He was charged with felony criminal possession of a controlled substance for cocaine and plead not guilty. Now the band has ducked out of Disney's Music Block Party tour, a family concert series. The Barenaked Ladies posted a statement on their website. It read:
Barenaked Ladies Manager Terry McBride announced today that the band has chosen to cancel its appearances at the Disney Music Block Party planned for late August in Long Island. “Members of the band completely support Steven Page,” said McBride, “but we don’t want to put Disney in an awkward position before issues involving Steven’s arrest are resolved.”
While the House of Mouse and advertising sponsors might feel awkward about aligning themselves with the band, as a mom I'm gonna keep playing their tunes. If I stood on a soapbox and tossed their CD out on principle, I'd have to stop listening to quite a bit of music. And in saying no to artists with drug associations, I'd also have to keep my kids from visiting museums. What's your opinion?
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