Originally published July 25, 2023 8:00 pm PDT
The pro-law and order song has been accused of promoting “racism.”
QUICK FACTS:
- Jason Aldean’s song, “Try That in a Small Town” is now a number 2 hit on Billboard, despite ongoing controversy.
- The song’s success represents Aldean’s first number-two spot.
- The song did not initially receive attention, landing at number 35 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs upon its May release.
- After the song’s music video was released on July 14, however, the song generated significant backlash, with people accusing Aldean of being a racist and attacking far-left-wing group Black Lives Matter (BLM).
- The music video depicts Aldean in front of a courthouse building with an American flag, followed by footage of various riots and attacks on police officers from 2020.
- The images then show children playing, farmers, and American flags to contrast the riots with pro-America, pro-family sentiments.
JASON ALDEAN’S SONG CONDEMNED:
- Democrat Tennessee state Representative Justin Jones tweeted that his fellow lawmakers “have an obligation to condemn Jason Aldean’s heinous song calling for racist violence.”
- The tweet continued, “What a shameful vision of gun extremism and vigilantism. We will continue to call for common sense gun laws, that protect ALL our children and communities.”
- Other music artists such as Sheryl Crow, Jason Isbell, and Margo Price condemned the song.
- Crow tweeted, “There’s nothing small-town or American about promoting violence,” adding that the song is “not American or small-town like. It’s just lame.”
- Jason Aldean denied any racism in the song, posting on social media, “In the past 24 hours I have been accused of releasing a pro-lynching song (a song that has been out since May) and was subject to the comparison that I (direct quote) was not too pleased with the nationwide BLM protests.”
- Meanwhile, other artists have shown support for the song, with guitarist Ted Nugent saying to Fox News, “The idiots hate this Jason Aldean song because they hate when we push back against violence.”
BACKGROUND:
- American Faith reported that Country Music Television (CMT) pulled Aldean’s music video shortly after its release.
- The move prompted Rep. Ronnie Jackson (R-TX) to tweet, “CMT has gone WOKE! Do they know who their viewers are? Guess not!! I’ll tell you this … I’ll NEVER watch CMT ever again. BOYCOTT CMT!!”
- Conservatives have previously complained about CMT’s wokeism, as some performers have danced with drag queens or taken part in a coordinated effort against gun violence.
