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The singer and songwriter introduced 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 taking pictures within the state.

McLean, who is best-known for his legendary 1971 folk rock anthem “American Pie,” was scheduled to perform Saturday evening in the course of the NRA’s Grand Ole Evening 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 started firing on kids within the worst mass taking pictures at an American faculty in practically a decade.

“In mild of the latest occasions in Texas, I have determined it would be disrespectful and hurtful for me to perform for the NRA at their conference in Houston this week,” McLean, 76, said in a statement. “I’m positive all the parents planning to attend this event are shocked and sickened by these occasions as properly. After all, we're all People.”

McLean is among just a few performers who’ve announced they will no longer carry out at this weekend’s convention. Country and gospel singer Larry Gatlin and Larry Stewart of the nation band Restless Heart also said Thursday that they have been dropping out in response to the capturing at Robb Elementary College.

Gatlin said he was also dropping out as a result of what he cited as the NRA’s “outdated and ill-thought-out positions concerning firearms” in the United States.

“My prayers and ideas go to all who're suffering, and I pray that the NRA will rethink some of its outdated and ill-thought-out positions relating to firearms in AMERICA,” he said. “I’m a 2nd Modification man, but the 2nd amendment shouldn't apply to everybody. It’s that straightforward.”