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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 carry out days after 19 children and two adults had been killed in a mass shooting in the state.

McLean, who's best-known for his legendary 1971 folks rock anthem “American Pie,” was scheduled to perform Saturday night throughout the NRA’s Grand Ole Night time of Freedom live performance. But these plans changed when a gunman, recognized by police as Salvador Ramos, 18, entered Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Tex., and began firing on children in the worst mass taking pictures at an American faculty in nearly a decade.

“In mild of the latest occasions in Texas, I've decided it could 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 certain all the folks planning to attend this event are shocked and sickened by these events as nicely. In spite of everything, we are all People.”

McLean is among a number of performers who’ve announced they are going to no longer perform at this weekend’s conference. Nation and gospel singer Larry Gatlin and Larry Stewart of the country band Restless Heart additionally mentioned Thursday that they had been dropping out in response to the taking pictures at Robb Elementary Faculty.

Gatlin stated he was also dropping out resulting from what he cited because the NRA’s “outdated and ill-thought-out positions concerning firearms” in america.

“My prayers and ideas go to all who're struggling, and I pray that the NRA will rethink some of its outdated and ill-thought-out positions regarding firearms in AMERICA,” he stated.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