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

McLean, who is best-known for his legendary 1971 people rock anthem “American Pie,” was scheduled to carry out Saturday evening throughout the NRA’s Grand Ole Evening of Freedom concert. But those plans changed when a gunman, identified by police as Salvador Ramos, 18, entered Robb Elementary Faculty in Uvalde, Tex., and started firing on youngsters within the worst mass capturing at an American college in practically a decade.

“In mild of the current occasions in Texas, I've decided it could be disrespectful and hurtful for me to perform for the NRA at their conference in Houston this week,” McLean, 76, said in a press release. “I’m sure all the oldsters planning to attend this event are shocked and sickened by these occasions as properly. After all, we're all Individuals.”

McLean is among a couple of performers who’ve introduced they will now not carry out at this weekend’s conference. Country and gospel singer Larry Gatlin and Larry Stewart of the nation band Stressed Coronary heart additionally stated Thursday that they were dropping out in response to the taking pictures at Robb Elementary Faculty.

Gatlin mentioned he was additionally dropping out resulting from what he cited because the NRA’s “outdated and ill-thought-out positions relating to firearms” in the United States.

“My prayers and thoughts go to all who are struggling, and I pray that the NRA will rethink some of its outdated and ill-thought-out positions regarding firearms in AMERICA,” he said. “I’m a 2nd Amendment guy, however the 2nd modification mustn't apply to everyone. It’s that easy.”