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

McLean, who's 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. But those plans modified when a gunman, recognized by police as Salvador Ramos, 18, entered Robb Elementary Faculty in Uvalde, Tex., and began firing on youngsters in the worst mass shooting at an American college in practically a decade.

“In mild of the latest occasions in Texas, I have decided it might be disrespectful and hurtful for me to carry out for the NRA at their convention in Houston this week,” McLean, 76, said in a statement. “I’m positive all the oldsters planning to attend this event are shocked and sickened by these events as effectively. In spite of everything, we are all Individuals.”

McLean is amongst just a few performers who’ve announced they will now not carry out at this weekend’s conference. Country and gospel singer Larry Gatlin and Larry Stewart of the country band Stressed Heart additionally said Thursday that they have been dropping out in response to the shooting at Robb Elementary College.

Gatlin said he was also dropping out as a consequence of what he cited as the NRA’s “outdated and ill-thought-out positions relating to firearms” in the United States.

“My prayers and thoughts go to all who are struggling, and I pray that the NRA will rethink a few of its outdated and ill-thought-out positions concerning firearms in AMERICA,” he said. “I’m a 2nd Modification guy, however the 2nd modification should not apply to everybody. It’s that easy.”