Chris Brown's four Canadian concerts canceled

TORONTO, Aug. 19 (UPI) -- R&B artist Chris Brown's four summer concerts in Canada have been canceled, promoters announced Monday.

The 24-year-old U.S. singer was scheduled to headline the Energy Rush festival in Halifax, Toronto, Saint John and Winnipeg this month, the Canadian Broadcasting Corp. said.

"After ongoing conversation and consultation with this year's headline act Chris Brown, and in light of the performer's recent personal and health-related issues, a decision has been made to cancel all four scheduled performances," Stephen Tobin, owner of Drop Entertainment Group, said in a statement, adding the festival has been postponed until next year, so organizers have time to find a new headliner.

Brown publicist Nicole Perna told the CBC the performer is skipping the gigs because he needs time to focus on himself and his new album.

However, the news of the Canadian shows' cancellation follows the recent decision by a Los Angeles judge to revoke Brown's probation and order the star to complete an additional 1,000 hours of community service. The decision was the result of prosecutors' accusations he did not properly report his previous community service hours, the Los Angeles Times said.

The probation and community service are related to Brown's assault on his former girlfriend Rihanna in 2009.