Daniel Thompson
Jul 19, 2023 - 10:10

'Backlash Forces Removal of Aldean's 'Try That in a Small Town' Music Video'

CMT pulls music video by Jason Aldean filmed at lynching site after accusations of offensiveness.

Jason Aldean, a popular country singer, recently released a song called "Try That in a Small Town." This song has sparked controversy and criticism due to its offensive lyrics and message. As a result, Country Music Television (CMT) has decided to pull the music video for the song.

The music video, which was filmed at the Maury County Courthouse in Columbia, Tennessee, showcases scenes of a lynching that took place at the site in 1927. It also includes violent news footage, including protests. Throughout the video, an American flag is prominently displayed, while Jason Aldean plays his guitar and sings about behaviors that would not be well-received in a small town, such as carjacking an old lady or disrespecting law enforcement.

State Representative Justin Jones of Tennessee, a Democrat, took to Twitter to condemn the song. He described it as promoting racist violence and advocating for gun extremism and vigilantism. This criticism led to CMT's decision to stop airing the music video.

Jason Aldean responded to the backlash on Twitter, defending himself against accusations of promoting racism and violence. He clarified that the song does not mention race and that the video only features real news footage. He also emphasized that the song is about the sense of community he experienced while growing up, where neighbors supported and cared for each other regardless of their differences.

In his statement, Jason Aldean also referenced the tragic shooting that occurred during his performance at a music festival in Las Vegas in 2017. He expressed his desire to prevent further senseless tragedies and headlines that tear families apart.

While the BRB Music Group, Jason Aldean's representative, has not yet commented on the situation, it is clear that this controversy has sparked a heated debate about the song's lyrics and message. The decision to pull the music video reflects the concerns raised by critics and the need to address offensive content in the music industry.