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

McLean, who is best-known for his legendary 1971 folks rock anthem “American Pie,” was scheduled to perform Saturday night time during the NRA’s Grand Ole Night 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 started firing on youngsters within the worst mass taking pictures at an American college in nearly a decade.

“In light of the current occasions in Texas, I have determined it will be disrespectful and hurtful for me to perform for the NRA at their convention in Houston this week,” McLean, 76, stated in a press release. “I’m sure all the folks planning to attend this event are shocked and sickened by these occasions as effectively. After all, we are all People.”

McLean is among a number of performers who’ve introduced they are going to no longer carry out at this weekend’s convention. Nation and gospel singer Larry Gatlin and Larry Stewart of the country band Stressed Coronary heart also mentioned Thursday that they have been dropping out in response to the taking pictures at Robb Elementary School.

Gatlin stated he was also dropping out because of what he cited because the NRA’s “outdated and ill-thought-out positions regarding firearms” in the United States.

“My prayers and thoughts go to all who're struggling, and I pray that the NRA will rethink a few of its outdated and ill-thought-out positions concerning firearms in AMERICA,” he said.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 everyone. It’s that straightforward.”