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

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

“In mild of the latest occasions in Texas, I've determined it will be disrespectful and hurtful for me to perform for the NRA at their conference 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 properly. In any case, we're all Individuals.”

McLean is amongst a couple of performers who’ve announced they'll not carry out at this weekend’s convention. Country and gospel singer Larry Gatlin and Larry Stewart of the country band Stressed Heart also mentioned Thursday that they were dropping out in response to the shooting at Robb Elementary Faculty.

Gatlin stated he was also dropping out due to what he cited because the NRA’s “outdated and ill-thought-out positions regarding firearms” in the United States.

“My prayers and thoughts go to all who are suffering, and I pray that the NRA will rethink some of its outdated and ill-thought-out positions relating to firearms in AMERICA,” he stated. “I’m a 2nd Modification guy, however the 2nd amendment shouldn't apply to everybody. It’s that straightforward.”