Singer Don McLean was scheduled to perform at this weekend’s National Rifle Association (NRA) annual meeting, but has since canceled following the shooting at a Texas elementary school that killed 19 students and two teachers. Billboard reports.
“In light of the recent events in Texas, I have decided it would be disrespectful and hurtful for me to perform for the NRA at their convention in Houston this week,” the “American Pie” musician, 76, said in a statement Wednesday. “I’m sure all the folks planning to attend this event are shocked and sickened by these events as well. After all, we are all Americans. I share the sorrow for this terrible, cruel loss with the rest of the nation.”
From Billboard:
The NRA’s Grand Ole Night of Freedom concert is still scheduled to go forward on Saturday in Houston, roughly 275 miles from Uvalde, with performances from Lee Greenwood, Larry Gatlin, former Restless Heart lead singer Larry Stewart, Jacob Bryant and T. Graham Brown. The event will be hosted by SiriusXM’s Y2K host Danielle Peck. Representatives for Greenwood, Gatlin and Brown have all confirmed they plan to go forward with their performances on Saturday. Representatives for Stewart and Bryant did not respond to immediate requests for comment.
Former President Donald Trump, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, are all scheduled to make appearances at the event.
