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The singer and songwriter introduced that he’s dropping out from performing on the National Rifle Association’s annual meeting this weekend in Houston, saying it could 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 people rock anthem “American Pie,” was scheduled to carry out Saturday evening during the NRA’s Grand Ole Evening of Freedom live performance. But these plans modified when a gunman, recognized by police as Salvador Ramos, 18, entered Robb Elementary Faculty in Uvalde, Tex., and began firing on youngsters in the worst mass capturing at an American faculty in almost a decade.

“In light of the recent events in Texas, I have determined it might be disrespectful and hurtful for me to carry out for the NRA at their conference in Houston this week,” McLean, 76, said in a statement. “I’m certain all the parents planning to attend this occasion are shocked and sickened by these occasions as well. In any case, we're all Americans.”

McLean is amongst just a few performers who’ve introduced they are going to not perform at this weekend’s conference. Country and gospel singer Larry Gatlin and Larry Stewart of the nation band Restless Coronary heart also stated Thursday that they have been dropping out in response to the taking pictures at Robb Elementary School.

Gatlin said he was also dropping out as a consequence of what he cited because the NRA’s “outdated and ill-thought-out positions concerning firearms” in the US.

“My prayers and thoughts go to all who are struggling, and I pray that the NRA will rethink some of its outdated and ill-thought-out positions concerning firearms in AMERICA,” he mentioned. “I’m a 2nd Amendment man, however the 2nd amendment shouldn't apply to everybody. It’s that straightforward.”