'American Pie' singer Don McLean pulls out of NRA convention after Uvalde shooting


Singer Don McLean has canceled a planned appearance at the National Rifle Association's upcoming convention in Texas in the wake of this week's deadly mass shooting in the state.
McLean, best known for his song "American Pie," was slated to perform at the NRA's annual meeting in Houston, Texas, which is scheduled for this weekend. But he says he "decided it would be disrespectful and hurtful for me to perform" after 19 children and two teachers were killed on Tuesday in a mass shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas.
"I'm sure all the folks planning to attend this event are shocked and sickened by these events as well," McLean said.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The NRA convention, which will run from May 27 through May 29, will "showcase over 14 acres of the latest guns and gear from the most popular companies in the industry." The NRA said its "deepest sympathies are with the families and victims" of the shooting.
The event is still expected to include a speech by former President Donald Trump, who said Wednesday he will keep his "longtime commitment" to speak because the United States needs "real solutions and real leadership in this moment, not politicians and partisanship."
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) and Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) are also slated to attend. On Wednesday, Texas gubernatorial candidate Beto O'Rourke called on Abbott to "immediately withdraw" from the NRA event and "urge them to hold it anywhere but Texas."
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Brendan worked as a culture writer at The Week from 2018 to 2023, covering the entertainment industry, including film reviews, television recaps, awards season, the box office, major movie franchises and Hollywood gossip. He has written about film and television for outlets including Bloody Disgusting, Showbiz Cheat Sheet, Heavy and The Celebrity Cafe.
-
Disney is still shielding Americans from an episode of 'Bluey'
Talking Points The US culture war collides with its lucrative children's show
-
6 captivating new museum exhibitions to see this summer
The Week Recommends Get up close to Gustave Caillebotte and discover New Vision photography
-
'The answer isn't to shake faith in the dollar'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
-
Shakespeare not an absent spouse, study proposes
speed read A letter fragment suggests that the Shakespeares lived together all along, says scholar Matthew Steggle
-
New Mexico to investigate death of Gene Hackman, wife
speed read The Oscar-winning actor and his wife Betsy Arakawa were found dead in their home with no signs of foul play
-
Giant schnauzer wins top prize at Westminster show
Speed Read Monty won best in show at the 149th Westminster Kennel Club dog show
-
Beyoncé, Kendrick Lamar take top Grammys
Speed Read Beyoncé took home album of the year for 'Cowboy Carter' and Kendrick Lamar's diss track 'Not Like Us' won five awards
-
The Louvre is giving 'Mona Lisa' her own room
Speed Read The world's most-visited art museum is getting a major renovation
-
Honda and Nissan in merger talks
Speed Read The companies are currently Japan's second and third-biggest automakers, respectively
-
Taylor Swift wraps up record-shattering Eras tour
Speed Read The pop star finally ended her long-running tour in Vancouver, Canada
-
Drake claims illegal boosting, defamation
Speed Read The rapper accused Universal Music of boosting Kendrick Lamar's diss track and said UMG allowed him to be falsely accused of pedophilia