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The singer and songwriter introduced that he’s dropping out from performing at the National Rifle Affiliation’s annual meeting this weekend in Houston, saying it might be “disrespectful and hurtful” to carry out days after 19 youngsters 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 night time during the NRA’s Grand Ole Night time of Freedom live performance. However these plans modified when a gunman, identified by police as Salvador Ramos, 18, entered Robb Elementary Faculty in Uvalde, Tex., and began firing on youngsters within the worst mass taking pictures at an American faculty in almost a decade.

“In gentle of the recent occasions in Texas, I've decided it might 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 sure all the oldsters planning to attend this event are shocked and sickened by these events as effectively. After all, we are all People.”

McLean is among a number of performers who’ve announced they will now not carry out 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 were dropping out in response to the shooting at Robb Elementary College.

Gatlin said he was also dropping out as a result of what he cited because the NRA’s “outdated and ill-thought-out positions concerning firearms” in the United States.

“My prayers and ideas go to all who are suffering, and I pray that the NRA will rethink a few of its outdated and ill-thought-out positions relating to firearms in AMERICA,” he said. “I’m a 2nd Modification guy, but the 2nd modification mustn't apply to everyone. It’s that straightforward.”