CMT removed music video for ‘Try That in a Small Town’ after backlash over song’s lyrics
Jason Aldean is tackling his latest controversy with his wife, Brittany, by his side.
Aldean’s new single, "Try That in a Small Town," has sparked backlash for its perceived racist content and had its music video pulled from Country Music Television (CMT).
"Try That in a Small Town" was released in May, and the lyrics speak to small towns not putting up with riots and lawlessness many cities faced in the summer of 2020.
Some of the lyrics in the song included in Aldean's forthcoming, as-yet-untitled album include, "Got a gun that my granddad gave me, They say one day they're gonna round up, Well, that s--t might fly in the city, good luck, Try that in a small town, See how far ya make it down the road, You cross that line, it won't take long, For you to find out, I recommend you don't, Try that in a small town."
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Jason Aldean was ridiculed online for his song "Try That In A Small Town," prompting the country star to speak out and defend himself. (Rich Polk/Getty Images for iHeartRadio)
Scenes from the music video were shot outside the Maury County Courthouse in Columbia, Tennessee, where an 18-year-old Black man named Henry Choate was lynched in 1927. The courthouse was also a pivotal site during the Columbia race riot in 1946.
The video also includes footage of protesters vandalizing cities, flipping off police officers and burning flags, assumed to be from the wave of police brutality riots during the height of the pandemic in 2020.
CMT confirmed to Fox News Digital on Tuesday that the clip was pulled from its rotation but did not provide more context for the decision.
On Wednesday, the production company for the music video, TackleBox, confirmed the music video was shot at Maury County Courthouse, adding that it is a "popular filming location outside of Nashville." Several music videos and movies have filmed there, including the Lifetime Original movie "Steppin’ into the Holiday" with Mario Lopez and Jana Kramer. TackleBox also noted that the location was featured in a Runaway June music video for their 2019 song "We Were Rich," the 2022 Paramount holiday film "A Nashville Country Christmas" with Tanya Tucker, and Miley Cyrus' 2009 film "Hannah Montana: The Movie."
In its statement, the company said, "Any alternative narrative suggesting the music video’s location decision is false," and noted that Aldean did not pick the location.
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The production company for Aldean's music video noted in a statement that many other movies and music videos have been filmed at the Maury County Courthouse where "Try That in a Small Town" was filmed. (Monica Murray)
In the wake of the music video being pulled and general outcry over the song, Aldean took to social media on Tuesday to speak out.
"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," Aldean shared with his nearly 8 million fans across social media.
"These references are not only meritless, but dangerous," he continued. "There is not a single lyric in the song that references race or points to it- and there isn’t a single video clip that isn’t real news footage -and while I can try and respect others to have their own interpretation of a song with music- this one goes too far."
He further clarified the meaning of the song, writing, "‘Try That In A Small Town,’ for me, refers to the feeling of a community that I had growing up, where we took care of our neighbors, regardless of differences of background or belief. Because they were our neighbors, and that was above any differences."
He added, "My political views have never been something I’ve hidden from, and I know that a lot of us in this Country don’t agree on how we get back to a sense of normalcy where we go at least a day without a headline that keeps us up at night. But the desire for it to- that’s what this song is about."
Jason Aldean's music video for "Try That in a Small Town" has been pulled by CMT, but no reason was given. (BBR Music Group / Jason Aldean YouTube)
The 46-year-old also mentioned his experience during the Route 91 Harvest festival mass shooting in Las Vegas in 2017, which ultimately left 61 dead and hundreds wounded.
"And so many pointed out, I was present at Route 91, where so many lost their lives- and our community recently suffered another heartbreaking tragedy. NO ONE, including me, wants to continue to see senseless headlines or families ripped apart."
Regarding the music video, Aldean's wife, Brittany, offered her support on social media, sharing a selfie of the couple while on the beach and writing, "Never apologize for speaking the truth."
She also went on her Instagram Stories, writing, "Media… it’s the same song and dance. Twist everything you can to fit your repulsive narrative. How about instead of creating stories, we focus on the REAL ones such as CHILD TRAFFICKING? Food for thought."
Brittany Aldean shared a quiet moment with husband Jason as his latest music video faced new controversy. (Instagram / Brittany Aldean)
Together, the couple has faced multiple controversies over their views.
Last year, Brittany shared a "get ready with me" video on her social media of her applying makeup with the caption, "I’d really like to thank my parents for not changing my gender when I went through my tomboy phase. I love this girly life."
Aldean commented on her post, writing, "Lmao!! Im glad they didn’t too, cause you and I wouldn’t have worked out."
The caption spurred reactions from people feeling the comment was transphobic, including country music stars Cassadee Pope and Maren Morris.
Pope tweeted that celebrities could "see the positives in including LGBTQ+ people in their messaging" while Morris wrote on Twitter, "It's so easy to, like, not be a scumbag human? Sell your clip-ins and zip it, Insurrection Barbie."
Brittany responded in an Instagram Story, writing, "Advocating for the genital mutilation of children under the disguise of love and calling it ‘gender affirming care,’ is one of the worst evils. I will always support my children and do what I can do protect their innocence."
Brittany Aldean and Maren Morris faced off on social media over Aldean's comments about her "tomboy phase" (Denise Truscello)
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Amid the controversy, Aldean’s public relations firm, the GreenRoom, announced they would no longer be representing the country star.
"Music has always been and remains The GreenRoom’s core focus, so we had to make the difficult decision after 17 years to step away from representing Jason," Tyne Parrish, co-owner of GreenRoom, said in a statement to Billboard. "We aren’t the best people for the gig anymore, but will always be big fans of his music – he is one of the greatest live entertainers in country music."
In the wake of being called "Insurrection Barbie" by Morris, Brittany debuted a line of Barbie-inspired T-shirts emblazoned with the phrase "Don't tread on our kids." In a post shared to her Instagram Story, she said proceeds from the clothing line will go toward Operation Light Shine, a charity to "help fight child exploitation and human trafficking."
But fashion caused another controversy for the Aldeans.
Jason and Brittany Aldean have been outspoken about their political beliefs, often courting controversy. (Axelle / Bauer-Griffin / FilmMagic / File)
In 2021, Brittany shared photos on her Instagram showing herself wearing an "Anti Biden Social Club" T-shirt and her children with Aldean, Memphis and Navy, wearing T-shirts that read "Hidin’ from Biden." (Aldean was not wearing any political clothing in the image.)
After negative reaction to the shirts, Aldean came to his wife’s defense.
"I will never apologize for my beliefs or my love for my family and country," Aldean wrote in the caption of an Instagram post, featuring him silhouetted against the American flag.
"This is the greatest country in the world and I want to keep it that way," he added with the hashtag #unapologetic.
Aldean reiterated his comments a month later on Audacy’s "Rob + Holly," saying he’s not afraid of being canceled.
Jason Aldean has said he "will never apologize" for his beliefs after his wife, Brittany, posted herself and their children wearing anti-Biden T-shirts. (John Shearer / Getty Images for CMA / File)
"I think people know where I stand politically. I’m not a guy that’s just going to go out there and start trying to stir the pot just to stir the pot," Aldean told the program. "At some point, it's gotten to where if you’re a conservative and you’re in this business, you’re not allowed to speak."
"People are going to have their opinion about whatever I say or think or whatever, and that’s completely fine," he continued. "You don’t have to agree with me. I don’t expect everybody to agree with me, but I also have a voice and opinion just like everybody else."
The country star voiced his opinion against vaccine mandates for schoolchildren in California by Gov. Gavin Newsom in late 2021, around the same time as his wife’s T-shirt controversy.
Jason Aldean spoke out about vaccine mandates on his social media around the same time his wife caused controversy with her anti-Biden T-shirt. (Taylor Hill / FilmMagic / File)
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"So let me get this straight! It is no longer our decisions as parents (or free Americans) to make decisions about our kids, Gavin Newsom makes those decisions for us now?? You gotta be kidding me!" Aldean wrote in an Instagram post.
He continued, "People in California should be outraged and people everywhere else better start standing up and speaking out NOW. This is not how America and being free works."
A year earlier, he had fired back against people criticizing him for not wearing a mask at Disney World with his family during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Jason Aldean fired back at people criticizing him and his family for not wearing masks during a 2020 trip to Disney World. (Jeff Kravitz / FilmMagic / File)
According to Taste of Country, after sharing a mask-free photo on his social media and receiving criticism, Aldean responded to one of the comments, writing, "Chill out lady. They are in our pocket. We took them off for 5 seconds to take the pic. Believe me, Disney didn't give us a 'free pass' not to wear them. We had them on all day just like everybody else."
In 2015, Aldean stirred controversy once again. At the time, The Guardian reported that the "Dirt Road Anthem" singer dressed as rapper Lil Wayne for Halloween in blackface makeup and a wig with dreadlocks.
He spoke out a year later in an interview with Billboard, saying, "In this day and age people are so sensitive that no matter what you do, somebody is going to make a big deal out of it."
"Me doing that had zero malicious intent. I get that race is a touchy subject, but not everybody is that way. Media tends to make a big deal out of things. If that was disrespectful to anyone, I by all means apologize. That was never my intention. It never crossed my mind."
Fox News Digital's Caroline Thayer and Tracy Wright contributed to this report.
