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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 will be “disrespectful and hurtful” to carry out days after 19 children and two adults were killed in a mass taking pictures in the state.

McLean, who is best-known for his legendary 1971 folk rock anthem “American Pie,” was scheduled to carry out Saturday evening during the NRA’s Grand Ole Night of Freedom live performance. 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 children in the worst mass capturing at an American school in nearly a decade.

“In mild of the latest 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, mentioned in an announcement. “I’m positive all the folks planning to attend this occasion are shocked and sickened by these events as well. In any case, we are all Americans.”

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

Gatlin said he was also dropping out because of what he cited as the NRA’s “outdated and ill-thought-out positions concerning firearms” in america.

“My prayers and thoughts go to all who are struggling, and I pray that the NRA will rethink some of its outdated and ill-thought-out positions relating to firearms in AMERICA,” he said.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