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

McLean, who's best-known for his legendary 1971 folk rock anthem “American Pie,” was scheduled to perform Saturday evening in the course of the NRA’s Grand Ole Evening of Freedom live performance. However these plans modified when a gunman, recognized by police as Salvador Ramos, 18, entered Robb Elementary Faculty in Uvalde, Tex., and began firing on children in the worst mass shooting at an American faculty in nearly a decade.

“In gentle of the recent occasions in Texas, I've decided it could be disrespectful and hurtful for me to carry out for the NRA at their convention in Houston this week,” McLean, 76, said in a statement. “I’m sure all the oldsters planning to attend this occasion are shocked and sickened by these occasions as nicely. In spite of everything, we are all Americans.”

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

Gatlin stated he was also dropping out resulting from what he cited as the NRA’s “outdated and ill-thought-out positions concerning firearms” in america.

“My prayers and ideas go to all who are suffering, and I pray that the NRA will rethink a few of its outdated and ill-thought-out positions relating to firearms in AMERICA,” he stated.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