Newfoundland Band's Tour Snagged by the Taxman
ST. JOHN'S - The federal tax collector pulled the plug on a Christmas tour by the Irish Descendants, a Newfoundland Celtic band. Revenue Canada put a lien on the tour based on more than $100,000 in outstanding taxes owed by front man Con O'Brien.
O'Brien declined comment, but a source close to the band said Revenue Canada was offered $10,000 in projected profits from the tour, but that the agency refused the offer. The source said the agency was demanding all expenses O'Brien planned on paying to get the tour off the ground, as well as the $10,000. So the tour has been cancelled.
"At the end of the day, Con was irresponsible. He got behind with his taxes. He's a musician, what can I say?" a source told The St. John's Telegram.
"These things do happen but ... the only people who are really getting punished are the musicians who are now out of work at Christmas and more importantly the fans who won't get to see the band." He said the group is hoping to re-book at some point.
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