Mouse Extra

As the Disney Music Block Party Tour makes its way around the country, it seems it may have hit something of a snag.  Steven Page of the group Barenaked Ladies, who are scheduled to play with the tour August 22nd in Long Island, New York, was arrested this week on charges of possession of cocaine.  According to this story in the Associated Press, the court will not hear the case until August 26th.

The arrest comes as the band, known for its clean image and cross-generational appeal, recently released a new album for children titled, “Snacktime,” a collection of two dozen original children’s songs.

Terry McBride, the Vancouver-based manager for the band, said Barenaked Ladies shows are still scheduled, but he declined comment on Page’s arrest.

“We cannot comment because the matter is before the courts, but we are confident our client Steven will be completely exonerated,” McBride said in a statement. “Until that time, it’s business as usual for the Barenaked Ladies.”

As far as I can tell, Disney has not made any decisions or announcements about the status of the band for their upcoming concerts.  This is one of my favorite bands, and it was reported to me last night by Brooke, a contributing writer to Mouse Extra and an even bigger fan than I, that Page has been dealing with a rather messy divorce.  If Disney were smart, they would allow the band to play and stand behind a man who is supposed to be innocent until proven guilty.  But we all know that “imagine” trumps morals.

In January of 2007, I got to go on a cruise with this band.  It was an amazing time.  Myself and the people I went with all got a chance to lounge by the pool and even chat a bit with the members of the band, including Page.  I can’t draw any conclusions from that time other than to say the man deserves the benefit of the doubt the law provides.