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The singer and songwriter announced that he’s dropping out from performing at the Nationwide Rifle Association’s annual meeting this weekend in Houston, saying it could be “disrespectful and hurtful” to perform days after 19 children and two adults were 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 carry out Saturday night time through the NRA’s Grand Ole Evening of Freedom live performance. However those plans modified 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 occasions in Texas, I've decided it will be disrespectful and hurtful for me to perform for the NRA at their conference in Houston this week,” McLean, 76, stated in an announcement. “I’m certain all the parents planning to attend this event are shocked and sickened by these events as nicely. After all, we're all Americans.”

McLean is amongst a couple of performers who’ve announced they will no longer perform at this weekend’s conference. Country and gospel singer Larry Gatlin and Larry Stewart of the nation band Stressed Coronary heart also stated Thursday that they had been dropping out in response to the capturing at Robb Elementary School.

Gatlin said he was additionally dropping out resulting from what he cited as the NRA’s “outdated and ill-thought-out positions regarding firearms” in the US.

“My prayers and thoughts go to all who're suffering, and I pray that the NRA will rethink a few of its outdated and ill-thought-out positions relating to firearms in AMERICA,” he mentioned. “I’m a 2nd Amendment guy, but the 2nd modification mustn't apply to everyone. It’s that straightforward.”