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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 might be “disrespectful and hurtful” to perform days after 19 youngsters and two adults were killed in a mass capturing within the state.

McLean, who's best-known for his legendary 1971 people rock anthem “American Pie,” was scheduled to perform Saturday night time in the course of the NRA’s Grand Ole Night of Freedom live performance. However those plans changed when a gunman, recognized by police as Salvador Ramos, 18, entered Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Tex., and started firing on children within the worst mass shooting at an American college in almost a decade.

“In gentle of the recent events in Texas, I've determined 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 an announcement. “I’m sure all the folks planning to attend this event are shocked and sickened by these occasions as properly. After all, we are all Americans.”

McLean is among a few performers who’ve announced they may now not perform at this weekend’s conference. Country and gospel singer Larry Gatlin and Larry Stewart of the country band Stressed Coronary heart also stated Thursday that they have been dropping out in response to the taking pictures at Robb Elementary School.

Gatlin said he was also dropping out attributable to what he cited because the NRA’s “outdated and ill-thought-out positions concerning firearms” in the United States.

“My prayers and thoughts go to all who are struggling, and I pray that the NRA will rethink some of its outdated and ill-thought-out positions relating to firearms in AMERICA,” he mentioned.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