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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 could be “disrespectful and hurtful” to carry out days after 19 children and two adults were killed in a mass taking pictures in the state.

McLean, who is best-known for his legendary 1971 folk rock anthem “American Pie,” was scheduled to carry out Saturday night during the NRA’s Grand Ole Night of Freedom live performance. But those plans changed when a gunman, recognized by police as Salvador Ramos, 18, entered Robb Elementary College in Uvalde, Tex., and started firing on kids in the worst mass capturing at an American college in nearly a decade.

“In light of the recent occasions in Texas, I have determined it will be disrespectful and hurtful for me to carry out for the NRA at their conference in Houston this week,” McLean, 76, stated in a press release. “I’m certain all the oldsters planning to attend this event are shocked and sickened by these events as nicely. In any case, we're all Individuals.”

McLean is amongst a few performers who’ve introduced they'll now not perform at this weekend’s conference. Country and gospel singer Larry Gatlin and Larry Stewart of the nation band Restless Heart also stated Thursday that they had been dropping out in response to the capturing at Robb Elementary College.

Gatlin mentioned he was additionally dropping out due to what he cited as the NRA’s “outdated and ill-thought-out positions concerning firearms” in the USA.

“My prayers and thoughts go to all who are suffering, and I pray that the NRA will rethink some of its outdated and ill-thought-out positions concerning firearms in AMERICA,” he said. “I’m a 2nd Modification guy, but the 2nd amendment mustn't apply to everyone. It’s that easy.”