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The singer and songwriter introduced that he’s dropping out from performing at 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 taking pictures within the state.

McLean, who is best-known for his legendary 1971 folks rock anthem “American Pie,” was scheduled to perform Saturday evening in the course of the NRA’s Grand Ole Night 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 started firing on youngsters within the worst mass shooting at an American school in nearly a decade.

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

McLean is amongst a few performers who’ve announced they will no longer carry out at this weekend’s convention. Nation and gospel singer Larry Gatlin and Larry Stewart of the country band Stressed Heart also mentioned Thursday that they had been dropping out in response to the taking pictures at Robb Elementary School.

Gatlin stated he was also dropping out on account of what he cited as the NRA’s “outdated and ill-thought-out positions concerning firearms” in the United States.

“My prayers and ideas go to all who're struggling, and I pray that the NRA will rethink some of its outdated and ill-thought-out positions relating to firearms in AMERICA,” he stated. “I’m a 2nd Amendment guy, but the 2nd amendment shouldn't apply to everyone. It’s that straightforward.”