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The singer and songwriter announced that he’s dropping out from performing on the National Rifle Association’s annual meeting this weekend in Houston, saying it could be “disrespectful and hurtful” to perform days after 19 kids and two adults were killed in a mass capturing within 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 Evening of Freedom live performance. But these plans changed when a gunman, identified by police as Salvador Ramos, 18, entered Robb Elementary Faculty in Uvalde, Tex., and started firing on children in the worst mass shooting at an American faculty in practically a decade.

“In mild of the latest events in Texas, I have decided it would be disrespectful and hurtful for me to perform for the NRA at their convention in Houston this week,” McLean, 76, stated in a press release. “I’m positive all the oldsters planning to attend this event are shocked and sickened by these occasions as well. In any case, we are all Americans.”

McLean is amongst just a few performers who’ve introduced they are going to not carry out at this weekend’s conference. Country and gospel singer Larry Gatlin and Larry Stewart of the nation band Restless Heart also mentioned Thursday that they have been dropping out in response to the capturing at Robb Elementary College.

Gatlin said he was additionally dropping out attributable to what he cited as the NRA’s “outdated and ill-thought-out positions regarding firearms” in america.

“My prayers and thoughts go to all who're struggling, and I pray that the NRA will rethink some of its outdated and ill-thought-out positions regarding firearms in AMERICA,” he mentioned. “I’m a 2nd Amendment guy, however the 2nd amendment mustn't apply to everyone. It’s that straightforward.”