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The singer and songwriter announced that he’s dropping out from performing at the Nationwide Rifle Affiliation’s annual assembly 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 capturing within the state.

McLean, who's best-known for his legendary 1971 people rock anthem “American Pie,” was scheduled to perform Saturday night time during the NRA’s Grand Ole Evening of Freedom live performance. But those plans changed when a gunman, identified by police as Salvador Ramos, 18, entered Robb Elementary College in Uvalde, Tex., and began firing on youngsters within the worst mass taking pictures at an American school in practically a decade.

“In gentle of the recent events in Texas, I have decided it might be disrespectful and hurtful for me to perform for the NRA at their convention in Houston this week,” McLean, 76, mentioned in a statement. “I’m certain all the parents planning to attend this occasion are shocked and sickened by these occasions as effectively. After all, we're all Americans.”

McLean is among just a few performers who’ve announced they may not perform at this weekend’s conference. Country and gospel singer Larry Gatlin and Larry Stewart of the country band Restless Coronary heart also mentioned Thursday that they have been dropping out in response to the capturing at Robb Elementary College.

Gatlin mentioned he was also dropping out attributable to what he cited as the NRA’s “outdated and ill-thought-out positions regarding firearms” in the US.

“My prayers and ideas go to all who are suffering, and I pray that the NRA will rethink some of its outdated and ill-thought-out positions concerning firearms in AMERICA,” he stated. “I’m a 2nd Amendment man, however the 2nd modification mustn't apply to everyone. It’s that easy.”