Musicians join list of prominent figures to back out of NRA convention

by mcardinal

Willie R. Tubbs, FISM News

 

The list of big-named people who will be in attendance at the annual NRA convention this weekend has shrunk following the mass shooting in Uvalde, Texas.

In recent days, singers Don McLean, Larry Gatlin, Larry Stewart, all of whom were scheduled to perform at the NRA’s Memorial Day concert, announced they were cancelling their appearances.

The announcement came on the heels of Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) and Rep. Dan Crenshaw (R-Texas) announcing they would not attend the Houston-based event, which is scheduled to occur today through Sunday.

While Cornyn and Crenshaw did not link their cancelled appearances to Uvalde – Crenshaw is traveling to Ukraine and Cornyn cited an “unexpected change” in his schedule – each musician said the tragedy prevented them from participating.

“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,” McLean 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.”

The announcement by McLean, who is best known for having written and performed “American Pie,” was followed a day later by a similar statement from Gatlin, who along with his brothers rose to fame in the country and Southern gospel genres.

Gatlin, though, stated his disagreement with the NRA’s stance against background checks.

“I cannot, in good conscience, perform at the NRA convention in Houston this weekend,” Gatlin said in a statement. “While I agree with most of the positions held by the NRA, I have come to believe that, while background checks would not stop every madman with a gun, it is at the very least a step in the right direction toward trying to prevent the kind of tragedy we saw this week in Uvalde— in my beloved, weeping TEXAS.

Gatlin, a native of Seminole, Texas, added, “I’m a 2nd Amendment guy, but the 2nd Amendment should not apply to everyone. It’s that simple.”

Stewart, who is best known as the lead singer of the band Restless Heart, a group that produced six No. 1 country songs in the 1980s, announced his withdrawal Thursday.

“Due to the tragedy in Uvalde with the horrific school shooting and children who died, I want to honor the victims, families, the town and our friends in the great state of Texas the best I know how,” Stewart said. “So I have made the decision to pull out as a performer for the NRA convention this weekend.”

Like Gatlin, Stewart expressed general support of the mission of NRA, and added that “the NRA is a great organization who teaches strict gun safety with a membership of law-abiding citizens.”

The NRA Memorial Day concert is still scheduled to proceed. Lee Greenwood, singer of “God Bless the USA,” is still scheduled to perform, as are country artists T. Graham Brown, Danielle Peck, and Jacob Bryant.

Among the top speakers listed on the NRA’s program, only former President Donald J. Trump has confirmed that he will attend.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, Texas Republican Sen. Ted Cruz, South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem, and North Carolina Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson are all scheduled to speak at the convention.

The NRA’s web page currently contains a statement that reads, in part, “Although an investigation is underway and facts are still emerging, we recognize this was the act of a lone, deranged criminal. As we gather in Houston, we will reflect on these events, pray for the victims, recognize our patriotic members, and pledge to redouble our commitment to making our schools secure.”

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