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The singer and songwriter announced 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 children and two adults have been killed in a mass shooting in the state.

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

“In mild of the current occasions in Texas, I have decided it will be disrespectful and hurtful for me to perform for the NRA at their convention in Houston this week,” McLean, 76, mentioned in a statement. “I’m sure all the folks planning to attend this occasion are shocked and sickened by these occasions as well. After all, we're all People.”

McLean is amongst a number of performers who’ve announced they'll not perform at this weekend’s conference. Country and gospel singer Larry Gatlin and Larry Stewart of the country band Restless Coronary heart additionally said Thursday that they were dropping out in response to the taking pictures at Robb Elementary Faculty.

Gatlin said he was also dropping out as a consequence of what he cited because the NRA’s “outdated and ill-thought-out positions regarding firearms” in america.

“My prayers and thoughts go to all who are suffering, and I pray that the NRA will rethink some of its outdated and ill-thought-out positions relating to firearms in AMERICA,” he said.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