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

McLean, who's best-known for his legendary 1971 people rock anthem “American Pie,” was scheduled to perform Saturday evening through the NRA’s Grand Ole Night time of Freedom concert. However these plans changed when a gunman, identified by police as Salvador Ramos, 18, entered Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Tex., and started firing on youngsters in the worst mass capturing at an American faculty in almost a decade.

“In mild of the latest occasions in Texas, I've determined it might be disrespectful and hurtful for me to perform for the NRA at their conference in Houston this week,” McLean, 76, mentioned in a statement. “I’m positive all the folks planning to attend this event are shocked and sickened by these events as well. After all, we're all Individuals.”

McLean is amongst a couple of performers who’ve introduced they may no longer perform at this weekend’s conference. Country and gospel singer Larry Gatlin and Larry Stewart of the nation band Stressed Coronary heart also said Thursday that they have been dropping out in response to the shooting at Robb Elementary Faculty.

Gatlin mentioned he was additionally dropping out as a result of what he cited because the NRA’s “outdated and ill-thought-out positions relating to firearms” in america.

“My prayers and thoughts go to all who're suffering, and I pray that the NRA will rethink some of its outdated and ill-thought-out positions concerning firearms in AMERICA,” he mentioned.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 Modification guy, but the 2nd amendment mustn't apply to everybody. It’s that simple.”