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The singer and songwriter announced 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 kids and two adults have been killed in a mass capturing in the state.

McLean, who is best-known for his legendary 1971 folk rock anthem “American Pie,” was scheduled to perform Saturday evening throughout 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 College in Uvalde, Tex., and began firing on kids within the worst mass shooting at an American faculty in nearly a decade.

“In gentle of the current events in Texas, I've decided it would be disrespectful and hurtful for me to perform for the NRA at their conference in Houston this week,” McLean, 76, mentioned in a statement. “I’m positive all the oldsters planning to attend this event are shocked and sickened by these occasions as well. In spite of everything, we are all Americans.”

McLean is among a couple of performers who’ve introduced they will not perform at this weekend’s conference. Country and gospel singer Larry Gatlin and Larry Stewart of the nation band Stressed Heart also stated Thursday that they were dropping out in response to the shooting at Robb Elementary College.

Gatlin mentioned he was additionally dropping out resulting from what he cited as the NRA’s “outdated and ill-thought-out positions relating to firearms” in america.

“My prayers and thoughts go to all who are struggling, and I pray that the NRA will rethink a few of its outdated and ill-thought-out positions relating to firearms in AMERICA,” he stated. “I’m a 2nd Modification man, however the 2nd amendment should not apply to everybody. It’s that easy.”