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The singer and songwriter introduced that he’s dropping out from performing at the Nationwide Rifle Association’s annual assembly 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 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 through the NRA’s Grand Ole Night time of Freedom live performance. However those plans modified when a gunman, identified by police as Salvador Ramos, 18, entered Robb Elementary College in Uvalde, Tex., and began firing on kids within the worst mass capturing at an American school in practically a decade.

“In light of the current occasions in Texas, I have determined it would be disrespectful and hurtful for me to carry out for the NRA at their convention in Houston this week,” McLean, 76, mentioned in a statement. “I’m certain all the folks planning to attend this event are shocked and sickened by these events as effectively. After all, we're all Americans.”

McLean is amongst a number of performers who’ve introduced they may no longer perform at this weekend’s convention. Country and gospel singer Larry Gatlin and Larry Stewart of the nation band Stressed Coronary heart additionally stated Thursday that they were dropping out in response to the shooting at Robb Elementary College.

Gatlin mentioned he was additionally dropping out as a result of what he cited as the NRA’s “outdated and ill-thought-out positions regarding firearms” in the US.

“My prayers and ideas go to all who're suffering, and I pray that the NRA will rethink a few of its outdated and ill-thought-out positions regarding firearms in AMERICA,” he mentioned. “I’m a 2nd Amendment guy, but the 2nd modification shouldn't apply to everybody. It’s that easy.”