The Barenaked Ladies had to cancel two shows at Ottawa’s National Arts Centre on Saturday due to yet another hurtle was thrown their way.

The band explained (via their official website) that Ed Robertson’s mother "has been admitted suddenly to the hospital with a serious illness."  The shows will be rescheduled soon so you’ve got the choice of keeping your ticket (it will be honored) or getting a refund through Ticketmaster.

This is just the latest in a series of unfortunate events for BNL this year – lead singer Steven Page was arrested on several charges including drug possession and Ed Robertson survived a plane crash.

My thoughts go out to Ed, his mother and their family. 

image: Newscom

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The Barenaked Ladies have a fun collection of songs (20 tracks all together) that range from silly (like Elf’s Lament which you can download for FREE!!!) to the funky, acoustic (and awesome!) collaboration with Sarah McLachlan on "God Rest Ye Gentlemen." 

When it comes to holiday music, you may just want to go Barenaked…

image: Amazon.com

Post from: Canadian Music News

It has been quite a year for Canadian band, Barenaked Ladies.  Lead singer, Steven Page was arrested for drug possession and fellow co-founder, Ed Robertson, survived a plane crash!  Talk about stress!  Yet, the members of the group, which has been together for 20 years, says the events of 2008 have only made them grow closer.  As drummer Tyler Stewart put it: “Any time one member of the group has a problem, we tend to rally. And I think that person becomes a better person because of it." 

Close friend of the band, Jason Priestly, who you may remember as the hunky Brandon Walsh from Beverly Hills 90210, said that he was "stunned" by Page’s arrest: "It was surprising. "(I offered) all the support that he needed and whatever he needed to help him, whatever I could do to help. And I think everybody offered him that same support. How could you not?"

He added that Page was "upset" to be involved in that kind of scandal but is otherwise doing relatively well.

Following the example of fellow Canadians, Simple Plan, the band is recording a 45-second cover of the former Hockey Night in Canada theme song.  Since it was bought by CTV earlier this year, TSN has invited famous Canadian bands to cover the iconic tune.  The BNL version is said to have a "banjo-driven bluegrass sound."  Hmmm… that should be interesting…

I want to wish the band all the best in 2009!

image: Newscom

Post from: Canadian Music News

The Barenaked Ladies are ready to get back on the road after having to take a break when frontman, Steven Page, was arrested on drug charges this past July (he is set to appear in court on October 28, 2008).  They have now announced two children’s shows and three “Barenaked for the Holidays” concerts.  I love their covers on traditional Christmas carols so I wish I could go to one of those “Holiday” shows. 

In case you are scratching your head over why BNL is doing kids’ shows (as I was when I heard about it a little while ago), the group made a children’s album called Snacktime, which was released earlier this year.

Here are the announced dates:

• Dec. 6 Toronto, ON @ Massey Hall (2 p.m. children’s show)
• Dec. 6-7 Toronto, ON @ Massey Hall (8 p.m.)
• Dec. 13 Ottawa, ON @ Southam Hall at National Arts Centre (2 p.m. children’s show)
• Dec. 13 Ottawa, ON @ Southam Hall at National Arts Centre (8 p.m.)

image credit: MuchMusic

Post from: Canadian Music News

WOW!  What a summer for the Barenaked Ladies!  First, frontman Steven Page gets arrested for drug possesion and now this!

Ed Robertson was in a float-plane crash in southeastern Ontario!  He and three others survived after the craft plummeted into trees.  According to the Ontario police, the plane lost speed on take off and went into the trees on the west side of Baptiste Lake.  I don’t know if he was actually flying the plane but I do know that he got his pilot’s license back in 2005.

The ironic part is that he’s on that show that follows his travels by plane on “Ed’s Up.”

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His agent is said to be confident that he’ll be cleared.  I certainly hope so.  He will make his first court appearance on July 17, 2008.

Well, may as well watch a BNL video since I’m talking about them.  Here’s “One Week:”

Post from: Canadian Music News