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The singer and songwriter introduced that he’s dropping out from performing at the National Rifle Association’s annual assembly this weekend in Houston, saying it will be “disrespectful and hurtful” to perform days after 19 youngsters and two adults have been killed in a mass capturing in the state.

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

“In mild of the current occasions in Texas, I have decided it would be disrespectful and hurtful for me to perform for the NRA at their conference in Houston this week,” McLean, 76, mentioned in an announcement. “I’m positive all the parents planning to attend this event are shocked and sickened by these events as well. In any case, we are all Individuals.”

McLean is amongst just a few performers who’ve introduced they will no longer carry out 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 were dropping out in response to the shooting at Robb Elementary College.

Gatlin mentioned he was additionally dropping out as a consequence of what he cited as the NRA’s “outdated and ill-thought-out positions relating to firearms” in the USA.

“My prayers and thoughts go to all who are struggling, and I pray that the NRA will rethink some of its outdated and ill-thought-out positions regarding firearms in AMERICA,” he stated. “I’m a 2nd Modification guy, but the 2nd amendment mustn't apply to everybody. It’s that straightforward.”