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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 will be “disrespectful and hurtful” to perform days after 19 children and two adults had been killed in a mass shooting within the state.

McLean, who is best-known for his legendary 1971 folk rock anthem “American Pie,” was scheduled to carry out Saturday night time in the course of the NRA’s Grand Ole Evening of Freedom concert. However those plans modified when a gunman, recognized by police as Salvador Ramos, 18, entered Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Tex., and started firing on youngsters within the worst mass shooting at an American faculty in practically a decade.

“In mild of the latest occasions in Texas, I have decided it will be disrespectful and hurtful for me to perform for the NRA at their conference in Houston this week,” McLean, 76, mentioned in a press release. “I’m positive all the folks planning to attend this event are shocked and sickened by these occasions as properly. After all, we are all Individuals.”

McLean is among a few performers who’ve introduced they'll no longer carry out at this weekend’s convention. Nation and gospel singer Larry Gatlin and Larry Stewart of the country band Restless Coronary heart also mentioned Thursday that they have been 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Gatlin mentioned he was also dropping out attributable to what he cited because the NRA’s “outdated and ill-thought-out positions relating to firearms” in the US.

“My prayers and ideas go to all who're suffering, and I pray that the NRA will rethink some of its outdated and ill-thought-out positions relating to firearms in AMERICA,” he mentioned.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