Jason Aldean has ignited a real fiery debate with the song “Try That in a Small Town” and its music video. This week, the country star became a trending topic after the lyrics to the track were released.
In the song, the country crooner warns those who plan to disturb the way things are done in his small town. Some of the lyrics go like this: “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.”
Here are some more: “Cuss out a cop, spit in his face / Stomp on the flag and light it up / Yeah, ya think you’re tough / Well, try that in a small town / See how far ya make it down the road.”
While some saw Jason Aldean’s words as tough and patriotic, others deemed the track racist, pro-lynching, and anti-Black Lives Matter.
He filmed the music video for the song at the Maury County Courthouse in Columbia, Tennessee. It is the location where an 18-year-old African-American teenager named Henry Choate was lynched in the 1920s.
Sheryl Crow stepped out to slam the country star for his incendiary song and music video. The country icon said on social media: “I’m from a small town. Even people in small towns are sick of violence. There’s nothing small-town or American about promoting violence. You should know that better than anyone having survived a mass shooting. This is not American or small-town-like. It’s just lame.”
Amid heavy backlash, CMT has pulled the music video from rotation. However, former President Donald Trump has decided to defend Aldean.
Trump posted on Truth Social: “Jason Aldean is a fantastic guy who just came out with a great new song. Support Jason all the way. MAGA!!!”
Friday night, during a performance in Cincinnati, Ohio, the artist delivered a speech defending the tune.
He said: “I’ve seen a lot of stuff suggesting I’m this, suggesting I’m that. Here’s one thing I feel, I feel everybody’s entitled to their opinion. You can think of something all you want to, but it doesn’t mean it’s true. What I am is a proud American… I love our country. I want to see it restored to what it once was before all this bulls-it started happening to us. I love my country, I love my family and I will do anything to protect that.”
He went on to bash cancel culture by adding: “You guys know how it is, in this day and age, cancel culture is a thing. That’s something that if people don’t like what you say they try to make sure they can cancel you, which means try to ruin your life, ruin everything. One thing I saw this week was a bunch of country music fans that can see through a lot of the bulls-it. I saw country music fans rally like I’ve never seen before and it was pretty bada-s, I gotta say. Thank you guys so much.”
Many GOP candidates for president are standing up with Jason Aldean.
