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

McLean, who's best-known for his legendary 1971 people rock anthem “American Pie,” was scheduled to perform Saturday night time throughout the NRA’s Grand Ole Night of Freedom live performance. But those plans modified when a gunman, recognized by police as Salvador Ramos, 18, entered Robb Elementary College in Uvalde, Tex., and started firing on children within the worst mass shooting at an American college in nearly a decade.

“In light of the current events in Texas, I have decided it would be disrespectful and hurtful for me to perform for the NRA at their conference in Houston this week,” McLean, 76, mentioned in a press release. “I’m certain all the oldsters planning to attend this occasion are shocked and sickened by these occasions as effectively. After all, we are all People.”

McLean is among a number of performers who’ve announced they may not perform at this weekend’s convention. Nation and gospel singer Larry Gatlin and Larry Stewart of the country band Stressed Coronary heart also said Thursday that they were dropping out in response to the shooting at Robb Elementary Faculty.

Gatlin mentioned he was also dropping out because of what he cited as the NRA’s “outdated and ill-thought-out positions relating to firearms” in america.

“My prayers and thoughts go to all who are struggling, and I pray that the NRA will rethink a few of its outdated and ill-thought-out positions relating to firearms in AMERICA,” he stated. “I’m a 2nd Amendment guy, however the 2nd amendment should not apply to everybody. It’s that easy.”