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The singer and songwriter announced that he’s dropping out from performing at the National Rifle Association’s annual assembly this weekend in Houston, saying it might be “disrespectful and hurtful” to perform days after 19 kids and two adults had been killed in a mass taking pictures in the state.

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

“In mild of the latest occasions in Texas, I've decided it will be disrespectful and hurtful for me to carry out for the NRA at their convention in Houston this week,” McLean, 76, said in a press release. “I’m positive all the oldsters planning to attend this occasion are shocked and sickened by these events as well. In any case, we are all Individuals.”

McLean is amongst just a few performers who’ve announced they'll not carry out at this weekend’s conference. Nation and gospel singer Larry Gatlin and Larry Stewart of the country band Stressed Coronary heart additionally said Thursday that they have been dropping out in response to the capturing at Robb Elementary College.

Gatlin said he was additionally dropping out because of what he cited because the NRA’s “outdated and ill-thought-out positions relating to firearms” in the United States.

“My prayers and thoughts go to all who're struggling, and I pray that the NRA will rethink some of its outdated and ill-thought-out positions concerning firearms in AMERICA,” he mentioned. “I’m a 2nd Amendment man, but the 2nd amendment mustn't apply to everyone. It’s that easy.”