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The singer and songwriter announced that he’s dropping out from performing on the Nationwide Rifle Association’s annual meeting this weekend in Houston, saying it could be “disrespectful and hurtful” to perform days after 19 youngsters and two adults had been killed in a mass shooting in the state.

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

“In mild of the recent events 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, stated in an announcement. “I’m positive all the oldsters planning to attend this occasion are shocked and sickened by these occasions as effectively. In any case, we're all People.”

McLean is among just a few performers who’ve introduced they will not carry out at this weekend’s convention. Country and gospel singer Larry Gatlin and Larry Stewart of the nation band Stressed Coronary heart also mentioned Thursday that they have been dropping out in response to the capturing at Robb Elementary College.

Gatlin said he was additionally dropping out resulting from what he cited because the NRA’s “outdated and ill-thought-out positions relating to firearms” in america.

“My prayers and thoughts go to all who're suffering, and I pray that the NRA will rethink a few of its outdated and ill-thought-out positions concerning firearms in AMERICA,” he mentioned.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