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

McLean, who's best-known for his legendary 1971 people rock anthem “American Pie,” was scheduled to perform Saturday evening during the NRA’s Grand Ole Night time of Freedom concert. However those plans changed when a gunman, identified by police as Salvador Ramos, 18, entered Robb Elementary College in Uvalde, Tex., and began firing on youngsters within the worst mass taking pictures at an American college in nearly 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, said in an announcement. “I’m sure all the parents planning to attend this occasion are shocked and sickened by these occasions as properly. In spite of everything, we're all Individuals.”

McLean is amongst a few performers who’ve announced they may now not carry out at this weekend’s convention. Country and gospel singer Larry Gatlin and Larry Stewart of the nation band Stressed Heart also stated Thursday that they had been dropping out in response to the shooting at Robb Elementary College.

Gatlin mentioned he was also dropping out as a consequence of what he cited because the NRA’s “outdated and ill-thought-out positions relating to firearms” in america.

“My prayers and ideas go to all who are suffering, and I pray that the NRA will rethink a few of its outdated and ill-thought-out positions relating to firearms in AMERICA,” he mentioned.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