Country music star Toby Keith is refusing to apologize for, or back down from, his planned inaugural event performance this week.

On the heels of news that Jennifer Holliday backed out of her scheduled performance at Donald Trump’s upcoming “Make America Great Again! Welcome Celebration” on Jan. 19 due to criticism from fans and media, Keith released a statement to Entertainment Weekly: He said he is standing by his decision to sing at the inaugural event.

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“I don’t apologize for performing for our country or military,” said Keith. “I performed at events for previous Presidents [George W.] Bush and [Barack] Obama and over 200 shows in Iraq and Afghanistan for the USO.”

Other announced musical acts for this week event include 3 Doors Down, Big & Rich, and Lee Greenwood.

In addition to Holliday’s withdrawal from the event and her comment that she had accepted the invitation due to a “lapse of judgment,” other artists like Elton John and Garth Brooks have publicly turned down offers to perform at the events for our 45th president this week.

One member of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir — which will perform on Inauguration Day — resigned from the group in protest of President-Elect Trump. There has also been controversy surrounding the Rockettes, who will also perform on Inauguration Day.

Related: The Stars Are Aligning for Trump Inauguration

Despite erroneous media reports that members of the Rockettes were being forced to perform after a dancer posted to Instagram that they would take the stage with “tears in our eyes and heavy hearts,” the Madison Square Garden Company — which runs the dance group — informed the Associated Press that all chosen dancers were voluntarily taking part in the inauguration.

Jackie Evancho, the 16-year-old singer who is expected to perform the national anthem on Inauguration Day, has also revealed that she and her family, including her transgender sister, have been the subjects of harassment since she accepted the invitation to participate.

“I don’t apologize for performing for our country or military,” said Keith.

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Italian opera singer Andrea Bocelli was even rumored to have backed out of performing due to harassment and the threat of a potential boycott of his concerts.

Keith’s defiant words and firm lack of an apology should serve as a lesson to artists living in fear of bullying and harassment from the Left — as well as to those who wrongly equate an inauguration performance with a political act.

Keith tends to stay quiet about political matters, but he made clear he isn’t performing for any one president. He is singing for the nation.

Though it’s a sad day when artists need to refuse to apologize for choosing to perform at a presidential inauguration, it’s also uplifting to see Keith stand firm about his decision to share his abilities with his country during this definitive time.