At this point in time, we are probably all aware of the controversy that surrounded Jason Aldean’s latest single, “Try That In A Small Town.”
The song, which Jason says refers to a “feeling of a community that I had growing up, where we took care of our neighbors, regardless of differences of background or belief, sure ruffled some feathers on its climb to becoming his first #1 song on the Billboard Hot 100.
The music video was also pulled from CMT after news broke that it was shot at the Maury County Courthouse in Tennessee, where a lynching took place almost 100 years ago in 1927. If we are being fully transparent, the courthouse was also used as a shooting spot for many other projects, including for the Hannah Montana movie in 2009.
Shortly after the video was pulled from rotation, Jason released a statement to social media saying this:
“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.
These references are not only meritless, but dangerous. 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.”
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. These references are not only meritless, but dangerous.…
— Jason Aldean (@Jason_Aldean) July 18, 2023
This past weekend, the 46 year old singer co-hosted Country Countdown USA with Lon Helton and opened up a little more about his feelings on the backlash and where he stands with freely speaking his mind:
“I think as a new artist, you’re told not to stir the pot. I’m older now, and I’m not going to be quiet…I think that may have rubbed people the wrong way.”
He then goes on to say:
“On the flip side, I feel like I’ve gotten new fans. So I’m at a point in my career where I’m not going to be intimidated. I don’t feel what I’m saying is wrong, so I’m not going to feel guilty about it.”
NEW ALBUM:
Jason’s eleventh studio album, “Highway Desperado,” will officially be released on November 3rd. Here are the tracks already released from the upcoming project:
- Try That In A Small Town
- Tough Crowd
- Let Your Boys Be Country
- Whiskey Drink