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The singer and songwriter announced that he’s dropping out from performing on the Nationwide Rifle Association’s annual assembly this weekend in Houston, saying it will be “disrespectful and hurtful” to perform days after 19 youngsters and two adults had been killed in a mass taking pictures in the state.

McLean, who is best-known for his legendary 1971 folk rock anthem “American Pie,” was scheduled to carry out Saturday evening 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 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 latest events in Texas, I have determined 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 an announcement. “I’m certain all the parents planning to attend this event are shocked and sickened by these occasions as nicely. In any case, we're all Individuals.”

McLean is amongst a number of performers who’ve introduced they may now not perform at this weekend’s conference. Nation and gospel singer Larry Gatlin and Larry Stewart of the nation band Restless Heart also said Thursday that they had been dropping out in response to the taking pictures at Robb Elementary School.

Gatlin mentioned he was also dropping out as a consequence of what he cited because the NRA’s “outdated and ill-thought-out positions concerning firearms” in the US.

“My prayers and thoughts go to all who are suffering, and I pray that the NRA will rethink some of its outdated and ill-thought-out positions relating to firearms in AMERICA,” he mentioned. “I’m a 2nd Modification man, but the 2nd amendment should not apply to everybody. It’s that easy.”