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The singer and songwriter announced that he’s dropping out from performing at the National Rifle Association’s annual assembly this weekend in Houston, saying it might be “disrespectful and hurtful” to carry out days after 19 children and two adults have been killed in a mass shooting in the state.

McLean, who is best-known for his legendary 1971 people rock anthem “American Pie,” was scheduled to perform Saturday night during the NRA’s Grand Ole Night of Freedom concert. However those plans changed when a gunman, recognized by police as Salvador Ramos, 18, entered Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Tex., and started firing on children in the worst mass taking pictures at an American school in nearly a decade.

“In mild of the current events in Texas, I've determined it would be disrespectful and hurtful for me to perform for the NRA at their convention in Houston this week,” McLean, 76, stated in an announcement. “I’m certain all the parents planning to attend this occasion are shocked and sickened by these occasions as effectively. In any case, we're all Americans.”

McLean is amongst a few performers who’ve announced they are going to not carry out at this weekend’s convention. Country and gospel singer Larry Gatlin and Larry Stewart of the nation band Stressed Coronary heart also said Thursday that they were dropping out in response to the shooting at Robb Elementary College.

Gatlin mentioned he was also dropping out due to what he cited as the NRA’s “outdated and ill-thought-out positions relating to firearms” in america.

“My prayers and thoughts go to all who're suffering, and I pray that the NRA will rethink a few of its outdated and ill-thought-out positions concerning firearms in AMERICA,” he mentioned. “I’m a 2nd Amendment guy, but the 2nd modification should not apply to everyone. It’s that easy.”