“In light of recent events in Texas, I’ve decided it would be disrespectful and hurtful for me to act for the NRA at its convention in Houston this week. I’m sure everyone planning to attend this event is shocked and sick. “After all, we’re all Americans,” Don McLean said in a statement to CNN. “I share the pain of this terrible and cruel loss with the rest of the nation.”
Larry Gatlin, of the Gatlin Brothers fame, has also canceled his plans to act, telling CNN in part, “I can’t, in good conscience, act at the NRA convention in Houston this weekend.” .
“While I agree with most NRA positions, I’ve come to believe that while background checks wouldn’t stop all crazy people with a gun, it’s at least a step in the right direction. “It’s right to try to prevent the kind of tragedy we’ve seen this week in Uvalde, in my beloved and weeping TEXAS,” Gatlin said in a statement. “I’m a second amendment guy, but the second amendment shouldn’t apply to everyone. It’s that simple.”
The annual meeting is only open to ANR members. The organization currently has more than five million members, according to its website.
Larry Stewart, who provided the lead vocals for the band Restless Heart, has also opted out.
“I want to honor the victims, their families, the city and our friends in the great state of Texas to the best of my ability,” a statement said.
Nineteen children and two teachers were killed on Tuesday in a shooting at Robb d’Uvalde Primary School. The investigation is ongoing.
CNN has contacted other musicians scheduled to perform, including Danielle Peck, T. Graham Brown, Jacob Bryant and Lee Greenwood, known for Independence Day favorite, “God Bless the USA.”
CNN’s Devan Cole contributed to this report.