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

McLean, who is best-known for his legendary 1971 folks rock anthem “American Pie,” was scheduled to perform Saturday night during the NRA’s Grand Ole Evening of Freedom concert. But these plans modified when a gunman, recognized by police as Salvador Ramos, 18, entered Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Tex., and began firing on kids in the worst mass shooting at an American school in almost a decade.

“In gentle of the latest events in Texas, I've 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 certain all the folks planning to attend this occasion are shocked and sickened by these events as nicely. In any case, we are all Americans.”

McLean is amongst just a few performers who’ve announced they are going to not carry out at this weekend’s convention. Nation and gospel singer Larry Gatlin and Larry Stewart of the nation band Restless Coronary heart also mentioned Thursday that they had been dropping out in response to the taking pictures at Robb Elementary Faculty.

Gatlin mentioned he was also dropping out as a consequence of what he cited as the NRA’s “outdated and ill-thought-out positions relating to firearms” in the USA.

“My prayers and thoughts go to all who're suffering, and I pray that the NRA will rethink some of its outdated and ill-thought-out positions regarding firearms in AMERICA,” he mentioned.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 Modification man, but the 2nd amendment should not apply to everyone. It’s that easy.”