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The singer and songwriter introduced that he’s dropping out from performing on the National Rifle Affiliation’s annual meeting this weekend in Houston, saying it could be “disrespectful and hurtful” to carry out days after 19 youngsters and two adults were killed in a mass taking pictures in the state.

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

“In mild of the recent occasions in Texas, I have determined it will be disrespectful and hurtful for me to perform for the NRA at their convention in Houston this week,” McLean, 76, said in an announcement. “I’m sure all the folks planning to attend this occasion are shocked and sickened by these events as effectively. After all, we are all Individuals.”

McLean is amongst a couple of performers who’ve introduced they may now not perform at this weekend’s convention. Country and gospel singer Larry Gatlin and Larry Stewart of the nation band Restless Coronary heart also mentioned Thursday that they had been dropping out in response to the shooting at Robb Elementary School.

Gatlin said he was also dropping out as a result of what he cited as the NRA’s “outdated and ill-thought-out positions regarding firearms” in america.

“My prayers and ideas go to all who're struggling, and I pray that the NRA will rethink a few of its outdated and ill-thought-out positions regarding firearms in AMERICA,” he said.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