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

McLean, who is best-known for his legendary 1971 folks rock anthem “American Pie,” was scheduled to perform Saturday evening in the course of the NRA’s Grand Ole Night time of Freedom concert. But those plans changed when a gunman, identified by police as Salvador Ramos, 18, entered Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Tex., and started firing on youngsters within the worst mass shooting at an American college in almost a decade.

“In gentle of the current occasions in Texas, I've decided it could be disrespectful and hurtful for me to perform for the NRA at their conference in Houston this week,” McLean, 76, stated in an announcement. “I’m sure all the parents planning to attend this occasion are shocked and sickened by these events as well. After all, we are all People.”

McLean is among a few performers who’ve introduced they'll no longer perform at this weekend’s conference. Country and gospel singer Larry Gatlin and Larry Stewart of the country band Restless Coronary heart also said Thursday that they were dropping out in response to the capturing at Robb Elementary Faculty.

Gatlin stated he was additionally dropping out because of what he cited as the NRA’s “outdated and ill-thought-out positions relating to firearms” in the US.

“My prayers and ideas go to all who are struggling, and I pray that the NRA will rethink a few of its outdated and ill-thought-out positions regarding firearms in AMERICA,” he said.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