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The singer and songwriter introduced that he’s dropping out from performing on the Nationwide Rifle Association’s annual assembly this weekend in Houston, saying it will be “disrespectful and hurtful” to carry out days after 19 youngsters and two adults had been killed in a mass taking pictures in the state.

McLean, who's best-known for his legendary 1971 folk rock anthem “American Pie,” was scheduled to perform Saturday night in the course of the NRA’s Grand Ole Night of Freedom concert. But those plans changed when a gunman, recognized by police as Salvador Ramos, 18, entered Robb Elementary Faculty in Uvalde, Tex., and began firing on youngsters within the worst mass capturing at an American college in almost a decade.

“In gentle of the current occasions in Texas, I have decided it will be disrespectful and hurtful for me to carry out for the NRA at their conference in Houston this week,” McLean, 76, mentioned in a statement. “I’m sure all the parents planning to attend this occasion are shocked and sickened by these events as nicely. After all, we're all Americans.”

McLean is among a few performers who’ve announced they'll not perform at this weekend’s convention. Country and gospel singer Larry Gatlin and Larry Stewart of the country band Restless Heart also mentioned Thursday that they have been dropping out in response to the taking pictures at Robb Elementary College.

Gatlin stated he was additionally dropping out because of what he cited as the NRA’s “outdated and ill-thought-out positions regarding firearms” in america.

“My prayers and ideas go to all who're struggling, and I pray that the NRA will rethink a few of its outdated and ill-thought-out positions relating to firearms in AMERICA,” he said. “I’m a 2nd Amendment man, but the 2nd amendment mustn't apply to everybody. It’s that simple.”