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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 carry out days after 19 kids and two adults have been killed in a mass shooting within the state.

McLean, who is best-known for his legendary 1971 folks rock anthem “American Pie,” was scheduled to carry out Saturday night time through the NRA’s Grand Ole Evening of Freedom concert. 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 children within the worst mass shooting at an American school in nearly a decade.

“In gentle of the current events in Texas, I've decided it would be disrespectful and hurtful for me to carry out for the NRA at their convention in Houston this week,” McLean, 76, stated in an announcement. “I’m certain all the oldsters planning to attend this occasion are shocked and sickened by these events as nicely. In spite of everything, we're all Individuals.”

McLean is among a few performers who’ve announced they are going to no longer carry out at this weekend’s conference. Nation 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 taking pictures at Robb Elementary School.

Gatlin mentioned he was also dropping out attributable to what he cited because the NRA’s “outdated and ill-thought-out positions regarding firearms” in the United States.

“My prayers and ideas go to all who are struggling, and I pray that the NRA will rethink some of its outdated and ill-thought-out positions regarding firearms in AMERICA,” he said. “I’m a 2nd Amendment guy, but the 2nd amendment mustn't apply to everyone. It’s that easy.”