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The singer and songwriter announced that he’s dropping out from performing at the Nationwide Rifle Association’s annual assembly this weekend in Houston, saying it will be “disrespectful and hurtful” to perform days after 19 children and two adults were killed in a mass shooting within the state.

McLean, who's best-known for his legendary 1971 folks rock anthem “American Pie,” was scheduled to perform Saturday night time in the course of the NRA’s Grand Ole Night time of Freedom live performance. But these plans modified when a gunman, identified by police as Salvador Ramos, 18, entered Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Tex., and started firing on kids in the worst mass taking pictures at an American faculty in practically a decade.

“In light of the latest occasions in Texas, I have determined it would 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 folks planning to attend this event are shocked and sickened by these events as well. In any case, we're all Individuals.”

McLean is amongst a few performers who’ve announced they'll not carry out at this weekend’s convention. Nation and gospel singer Larry Gatlin and Larry Stewart of the nation band Stressed Coronary heart also stated Thursday that they have been dropping out in response to the shooting at Robb Elementary Faculty.

Gatlin stated he was also dropping out on account of what he cited as the NRA’s “outdated and ill-thought-out positions regarding firearms” in the US.

“My prayers and thoughts go to all who're struggling, and I pray that the NRA will rethink a few of its outdated and ill-thought-out positions concerning firearms in AMERICA,” he mentioned.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