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The singer and songwriter announced that he’s dropping out from performing at the National Rifle Association’s annual assembly this weekend in Houston, saying it might be “disrespectful and hurtful” to perform days after 19 children and two adults were 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 evening in the course of the NRA’s Grand Ole Night time of Freedom live performance. However these plans changed when a gunman, identified by police as Salvador Ramos, 18, entered Robb Elementary College in Uvalde, Tex., and started firing on kids within the worst mass shooting at an American college in practically a decade.

“In light of the recent events in Texas, I have determined it might be disrespectful and hurtful for me to perform for the NRA at their convention in Houston this week,” McLean, 76, mentioned in an announcement. “I’m sure all the oldsters planning to attend this occasion are shocked and sickened by these events as nicely. In any case, we are all People.”

McLean is among a number of performers who’ve introduced they will not perform at this weekend’s conference. Nation and gospel singer Larry Gatlin and Larry Stewart of the country band Restless Coronary heart additionally said Thursday that they had been dropping out in response to the taking pictures at Robb Elementary Faculty.

Gatlin mentioned he was also dropping out on account of what he cited because the NRA’s “outdated and ill-thought-out positions regarding firearms” in america.

“My prayers and ideas go to all who are struggling, and I pray that the NRA will rethink a few of its outdated and ill-thought-out positions regarding firearms in AMERICA,” he said.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