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The singer and songwriter introduced that he’s dropping out from performing on the Nationwide Rifle Association’s annual meeting this weekend in Houston, saying it might be “disrespectful and hurtful” to carry out days after 19 kids and two adults have been killed in a mass shooting in the state.

McLean, who's best-known for his legendary 1971 folks rock anthem “American Pie,” was scheduled to carry out Saturday night time during the NRA’s Grand Ole Evening of Freedom live performance. However those plans modified when a gunman, recognized by police as Salvador Ramos, 18, entered Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Tex., and began firing on children in the worst mass shooting at an American school in nearly a decade.

“In light of the recent 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, said in a statement. “I’m sure all the parents planning to attend this occasion are shocked and sickened by these events as well. In any case, we are all Individuals.”

McLean is amongst a couple of performers who’ve announced they'll no longer perform at this weekend’s convention. Nation and gospel singer Larry Gatlin and Larry Stewart of the nation band Restless Coronary heart also said Thursday that they had been dropping out in response to the taking pictures at Robb Elementary College.

Gatlin stated he was also dropping out because of what he cited because the NRA’s “outdated and ill-thought-out positions relating to firearms” in america.

“My prayers and ideas go to all who're suffering, and I pray that the NRA will rethink a few of its outdated and ill-thought-out positions regarding firearms in AMERICA,” he stated. “I’m a 2nd Modification guy, however the 2nd modification mustn't apply to everybody. It’s that straightforward.”