Country singer Jason Aldean found himself in the midst of controversy with his new song, “Try That in a Small Town.” Accusations of racism and being “pro-lynching” have circulated, leading to the removal of the song’s music video by CMT. Aldean, however, has taken to social media to respond and clear the air.
In the music video, Aldean can be seen performing in front of the Maury County Courthouse in Tennessee, with an American flag draped over the entrance. This location holds historical significance as it was where an African-American man named Henry Choate was lynched in the 1920s. However, Aldean denies any intentional reference to race in his song and video.
Critics have labeled the song as contemptible, and accusations of racism have been thrown at Aldean. However, the singer clarifies that the lyrics do not reference race, but rather reflect the sense of community he experienced while growing up. Aldean emphasizes that the song is about the desire for a return to a sense of normalcy in the country.
This is not the first time Aldean has faced backlash. In 2021, he was dropped by his publicity firm after his wife made transphobic comments on Instagram. Aldean defended his wife’s remarks, which added fuel to the controversy.
All this criticism comes at a challenging time for Aldean, as he recently kicked off his Highway Desperado tour. Unfortunately, on the second day of the tour, he was hospitalized due to heatstroke, forcing him to reschedule his performance. Fans of the singer eagerly await the announcement of a new concert date.
What do you think of Jason Aldean’s song? We would love to hear your thoughts in the comments section and encourage you to join the ongoing discussion about this situation.
