Country Music Television (CMT) has made a significant decision regarding Jason Aldean’s latest music video, “Try That In A Small Town,” which was released last Friday. A spokesperson from CMT confirmed in an email to USA TODAY that the network has pulled the video from rotation.
The decision came after Aldean faced intense backlash for the song, with many critics perceiving it as glorifying gun violence and lynching. The song’s lyrics, which include controversial lines like “Cuss out a cop, spit in his face / Stomp on the flag and light it up,” were particularly contentious and triggered outrage among viewers, especially those from rural small-town communities, which are a significant part of Aldean’s fan base.
Adding to the controversy, viewers pointed out that certain scenes in the video were filmed at the Maury County Courthouse in Columbia, Tennessee, a location infamous for its historical association with a lynching incident and the Columbia Race Riot in 1946.
Jason Aldean responded to the criticism on Twitter, defending the song’s meaning to him and clarifying that it does not advocate violence or make any references to race. He emphasized that the song is about the sense of community he experienced while growing up in a small town, where neighbors cared for one another despite their differences.
Despite his explanation, critics continued to express their concern. Shannon Watts, founder of the gun violence advocacy group Moms Demand Action, called the song “an ode to a sundown town,” suggesting violent consequences for free speech, while singer Sheryl Crow voiced her disappointment, stating that promoting violence is neither small-town-like nor American. Tennessee state Rep. Justin Jones strongly condemned the song, calling it a “heinous” vision of gun extremism and vigilantism.
Aldean’s wife, Brittany, showed support for her husband on Instagram, urging him not to apologize for speaking the truth.
This is not the first time that Jason Aldean has faced controversies in his career. In 2017, he survived a mass shooting during a performance at the Route 91 Harvest Festival in Las Vegas, where dozens of people lost their lives. He has also been embroiled in disputes related to his conservative political beliefs and alleged transphobic remarks made by his wife.
The controversy surrounding “Try That In A Small Town” has sparked a broader conversation about the responsibility of artists and the impact of their work on society. CMT’s decision to remove the video from rotation indicates that the network is taking a stand against content that could potentially promote violence or offend a significant portion of its audience.
As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how this controversy will affect Aldean’s upcoming album release and his standing within the music industry.
Source : USA Today
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