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The singer and songwriter introduced that he’s dropping out from performing on the National Rifle Association’s annual meeting 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 folks rock anthem “American Pie,” was scheduled to perform Saturday night through the NRA’s Grand Ole Night of Freedom live performance. But these plans modified when a gunman, recognized by police as Salvador Ramos, 18, entered Robb Elementary Faculty in Uvalde, Tex., and began firing on youngsters in the worst mass capturing at an American school in almost a decade.

“In light of the current occasions in Texas, I've determined it could be disrespectful and hurtful for me to carry out for the NRA at their conference in Houston this week,” McLean, 76, stated in a statement. “I’m certain all the folks planning to attend this event are shocked and sickened by these occasions as effectively. After all, we are all Americans.”

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

Gatlin stated he was also dropping out as a result of what he cited because the NRA’s “outdated and ill-thought-out positions concerning firearms” in the USA.

“My prayers and thoughts go to all who are suffering, and I pray that the NRA will rethink some of its outdated and ill-thought-out positions relating to firearms in AMERICA,” he mentioned.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