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The singer and songwriter introduced that he’s dropping out from performing at the Nationwide Rifle Affiliation’s annual assembly this weekend in Houston, saying it would be “disrespectful and hurtful” to perform days after 19 kids and two adults had been killed in a mass taking pictures within the state.

McLean, who's best-known for his legendary 1971 folk rock anthem “American Pie,” was scheduled to carry out Saturday evening throughout 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 School in Uvalde, Tex., and started firing on youngsters in the worst mass capturing at an American college in nearly a decade.

“In gentle of the recent occasions in Texas, I have determined it could be disrespectful and hurtful for me to perform 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. After all, we're all People.”

McLean is among a few performers who’ve announced they'll now not carry out at this weekend’s conference. Nation and gospel singer Larry Gatlin and Larry Stewart of the nation band Stressed 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Gatlin said he was also dropping out resulting from what he cited as the NRA’s “outdated and ill-thought-out positions regarding firearms” in the United States.

“My prayers and ideas go to all who're struggling, and I pray that the NRA will rethink some of its outdated and ill-thought-out positions relating to firearms in AMERICA,” he said.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, but the 2nd amendment mustn't apply to everybody. It’s that simple.”