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The singer and songwriter announced that he’s dropping out from performing on the National Rifle Affiliation’s annual meeting this weekend in Houston, saying it might 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's best-known for his legendary 1971 people rock anthem “American Pie,” was scheduled to carry out Saturday night time in the course of the NRA’s Grand Ole Night of Freedom concert. But those plans changed when a gunman, identified by police as Salvador Ramos, 18, entered Robb Elementary Faculty in Uvalde, Tex., and started firing on kids within the worst mass shooting at an American school in practically a decade.

“In gentle of the current events in Texas, I have determined it might be disrespectful and hurtful for me to perform for the NRA at their conference in Houston this week,” McLean, 76, mentioned in an announcement. “I’m certain all the parents planning to attend this occasion are shocked and sickened by these occasions as properly. After all, we're all Americans.”

McLean is amongst a few performers who’ve announced they'll not carry out at this weekend’s convention. Country and gospel singer Larry Gatlin and Larry Stewart of the country band Restless Heart also stated Thursday that they were dropping out in response to the capturing at Robb Elementary School.

Gatlin said he was additionally dropping out attributable to what he cited because the NRA’s “outdated and ill-thought-out positions concerning firearms” in the United States.

“My prayers and thoughts go to all who are struggling, and I pray that the NRA will rethink some of its outdated and ill-thought-out positions relating to firearms in AMERICA,” he said. “I’m a 2nd Modification man, however the 2nd modification shouldn't apply to everyone. It’s that simple.”