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The singer and songwriter introduced that he’s dropping out from performing on the Nationwide Rifle Affiliation’s annual assembly this weekend in Houston, saying it could be “disrespectful and hurtful” to perform days after 19 children and two adults were 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 perform Saturday evening in the course of the NRA’s Grand Ole Night time of Freedom concert. However those plans changed when a gunman, identified by police as Salvador Ramos, 18, entered Robb Elementary Faculty in Uvalde, Tex., and started firing on children in the worst mass capturing at an American faculty in practically a decade.

“In light of the recent occasions in Texas, I have decided it would be disrespectful and hurtful for me to perform for the NRA at their conference in Houston this week,” McLean, 76, mentioned in an announcement. “I’m sure all the parents planning to attend this event are shocked and sickened by these occasions as well. In any case, we are all Individuals.”

McLean is among a couple of performers who’ve introduced they'll no longer carry out at this weekend’s convention. Country and gospel singer Larry Gatlin and Larry Stewart of the country band Restless Heart also mentioned Thursday that they were dropping out in response to the capturing at Robb Elementary College.

Gatlin stated he was additionally dropping out attributable to what he cited because the NRA’s “outdated and ill-thought-out positions regarding firearms” in the United States.

“My prayers and ideas go to all who're suffering, and I pray that the NRA will rethink some of its outdated and ill-thought-out positions relating to firearms in AMERICA,” he mentioned.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 Amendment man, however the 2nd amendment shouldn't apply to everyone. It’s that easy.”