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The singer and songwriter introduced that he’s dropping out from performing at the Nationwide Rifle Affiliation’s annual meeting this weekend in Houston, saying it could be “disrespectful and hurtful” to perform days after 19 youngsters and two adults were killed in a mass taking pictures within the state.

McLean, who is best-known for his legendary 1971 folks 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 College in Uvalde, Tex., and started firing on kids in the worst mass shooting 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 carry out for the NRA at their convention in Houston this week,” McLean, 76, mentioned in a press release. “I’m certain all the oldsters planning to attend this occasion are shocked and sickened by these events as nicely. In spite of everything, we are all Americans.”

McLean is among just a few performers who’ve introduced they may no longer perform at this weekend’s convention. Nation and gospel singer Larry Gatlin and Larry Stewart of the nation band Stressed Heart also stated Thursday that they have been dropping out in response to the capturing at Robb Elementary School.

Gatlin stated he was also dropping out attributable to what he cited as the NRA’s “outdated and ill-thought-out positions regarding firearms” in america.

“My prayers and thoughts go to all who are suffering, and I pray that the NRA will rethink some of its outdated and ill-thought-out positions concerning firearms in AMERICA,” he said.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