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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 would be “disrespectful and hurtful” to carry out days after 19 kids and two adults have been killed in a mass shooting within the state.

McLean, who's best-known for his legendary 1971 people rock anthem “American Pie,” was scheduled to carry out Saturday night time in the course of the NRA’s Grand Ole Evening of Freedom concert. But those plans modified when a gunman, identified by police as Salvador Ramos, 18, entered Robb Elementary Faculty in Uvalde, Tex., and started firing on children in the worst mass taking pictures at an American college in nearly a decade.

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

McLean is amongst just a few performers who’ve introduced they will no longer carry out at this weekend’s conference. Country and gospel singer Larry Gatlin and Larry Stewart of the nation band Stressed Coronary heart also stated Thursday that they have been dropping out in response to the taking pictures at Robb Elementary Faculty.

Gatlin said he was additionally dropping out as a result of what he cited as the NRA’s “outdated and ill-thought-out positions concerning firearms” in the US.

“My prayers and thoughts go to all who're struggling, and I pray that the NRA will rethink some of its outdated and ill-thought-out positions relating to firearms in AMERICA,” he mentioned.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