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

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

“In light of the current occasions in Texas, I've determined it would be disrespectful and hurtful for me to carry out for the NRA at their conference in Houston this week,” McLean, 76, stated in an announcement. “I’m positive all the oldsters planning to attend this occasion are shocked and sickened by these occasions as well. After all, we are all Americans.”

McLean is amongst a few performers who’ve introduced they'll not perform at this weekend’s conference. Nation and gospel singer Larry Gatlin and Larry Stewart of the nation band Stressed Coronary heart also mentioned Thursday that they have been dropping out in response to the capturing at Robb Elementary Faculty.

Gatlin said he was additionally dropping out on account of what he cited as the NRA’s “outdated and ill-thought-out positions regarding firearms” in america.

“My prayers and ideas go to all who are suffering, and I pray that the NRA will rethink a few of its outdated and ill-thought-out positions concerning firearms in AMERICA,” he stated.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