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

McLean, who is best-known for his legendary 1971 folk rock anthem “American Pie,” was scheduled to carry out Saturday night during the NRA’s Grand Ole Night time of Freedom live performance. 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 kids in the worst mass capturing at an American faculty in practically a decade.

“In light of the recent events in Texas, I have decided it would be disrespectful and hurtful for me to perform for the NRA at their convention in Houston this week,” McLean, 76, stated in a statement. “I’m certain all the folks planning to attend this event are shocked and sickened by these events as well. In any case, we're all Americans.”

McLean is amongst just a few performers who’ve introduced they will no longer carry out at this weekend’s convention. Country and gospel singer Larry Gatlin and Larry Stewart of the nation band Restless Heart additionally stated Thursday that they had been dropping out in response to the taking pictures at Robb Elementary School.

Gatlin mentioned he was also dropping out attributable to what he cited because the NRA’s “outdated and ill-thought-out positions relating to firearms” in the USA.

“My prayers and thoughts go to all who're suffering, and I pray that the NRA will rethink a few of its outdated and ill-thought-out positions relating to firearms in AMERICA,” he mentioned. “I’m a 2nd Amendment man, however the 2nd amendment shouldn't apply to everybody. It’s that easy.”