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The singer and songwriter introduced that he’s dropping out from performing on the National Rifle Affiliation’s annual assembly this weekend in Houston, saying it would 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 night time in the course of the NRA’s Grand Ole Night time of Freedom concert. However those plans changed when a gunman, identified by police as Salvador Ramos, 18, entered Robb Elementary Faculty in Uvalde, Tex., and began firing on youngsters within the worst mass shooting at an American faculty in nearly a decade.

“In light of the recent events in Texas, I've decided it could be disrespectful and hurtful for me to perform for the NRA at their convention in Houston this week,” McLean, 76, said in a press release. “I’m sure all the parents planning to attend this event are shocked and sickened by these occasions as effectively. After all, we are all Individuals.”

McLean is among just a few performers who’ve introduced they will now not perform at this weekend’s convention. Country and gospel singer Larry Gatlin and Larry Stewart of the country band Stressed Heart additionally mentioned Thursday that they were dropping out in response to the taking pictures at Robb Elementary College.

Gatlin mentioned he was also dropping out due to what he cited because the NRA’s “outdated and ill-thought-out positions regarding firearms” in the United States.

“My prayers and thoughts go to all who're suffering, and I pray that the NRA will rethink some of its outdated and ill-thought-out positions concerning firearms in AMERICA,” he mentioned. “I’m a 2nd Amendment guy, but the 2nd amendment mustn't apply to everybody. It’s that simple.”