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The singer and songwriter announced that he’s dropping out from performing at the Nationwide Rifle Association’s annual meeting this weekend in Houston, saying it will be “disrespectful and hurtful” to carry out days after 19 youngsters and two adults have been 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 carry out Saturday evening during the NRA’s Grand Ole Night of Freedom concert. However these plans modified when a gunman, identified by police as Salvador Ramos, 18, entered Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Tex., and began firing on youngsters within the worst mass taking pictures at an American college in almost a decade.

“In mild of the recent occasions in Texas, I have 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 statement. “I’m sure all the folks planning to attend this event are shocked and sickened by these events as effectively. After all, we are all Individuals.”

McLean is amongst just a few performers who’ve announced they are going to now not carry out at this weekend’s convention. Country and gospel singer Larry Gatlin and Larry Stewart of the country band Stressed Heart also mentioned Thursday that they have been dropping out in response to the shooting at Robb Elementary Faculty.

Gatlin said he was additionally dropping out due to what he cited because the NRA’s “outdated and ill-thought-out positions concerning firearms” in the US.

“My prayers and ideas go to all who're struggling, and I pray that the NRA will rethink a few of its outdated and ill-thought-out positions concerning firearms in AMERICA,” he stated.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