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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 will be “disrespectful and hurtful” to carry out days after 19 youngsters and two adults were killed in a mass taking pictures within the state.

McLean, who's best-known for his legendary 1971 folks rock anthem “American Pie,” was scheduled to carry out Saturday night through the NRA’s Grand Ole Night time of Freedom concert. But these plans modified when a gunman, identified by police as Salvador Ramos, 18, entered Robb Elementary Faculty in Uvalde, Tex., and began firing on youngsters in the worst mass shooting at an American faculty in practically a decade.

“In mild of the recent occasions in Texas, I have decided it would 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 sure all the oldsters planning to attend this event are shocked and sickened by these events as well. In spite of everything, we're all Americans.”

McLean is among just a few performers who’ve announced they may not carry out at this weekend’s convention. Nation and gospel singer Larry Gatlin and Larry Stewart of the country band Restless Heart also stated 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Gatlin mentioned he was also dropping out as a consequence of what he cited because the NRA’s “outdated and ill-thought-out positions concerning firearms” in the United States.

“My prayers and ideas go to all who are suffering, and I pray that the NRA will rethink a few of its outdated and ill-thought-out positions concerning firearms in AMERICA,” he stated. “I’m a 2nd Amendment guy, but the 2nd amendment shouldn't apply to everyone. It’s that simple.”