Brittany Aldean, wife of Jason Aldean, is speaking out for her husband amid the recent controversy surrounding his song “Try That In A Small Town” and the recently released music video.
Following the release of the music video, social media users accused the singer of being pro-gun and racist and began to interpret the lyrics of the song. Many listeners were outraged and dubbed the track a “dog whistle” and believed that the lyrics pushed a right wing agenda.
Brittany Aldean Upset Over Media’s Portrayal Of The Situation
On Tuesday (July 18), Brittany Aldean took to Instagram to express her frustration over the media’s portrayal of the situation.
“Media… It’s the same song and dance,” she wrote in her Instagram stories. ”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.”
She later shared a selfie of her and Jason Aldean, which she captioned, “Never apologize for speaking the truth.❣️🇺🇸”
Jason Aldean Speaks Out
Brittany’s comments come just hours after the Georgia native broke his silence to address the situation.
“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 explained. “These references are not only meritless, but dangerous.”
Aldean Shares The Meaning Behind The Song “Try That In A Small Town” In His Own Words
He went on to detail what the song means from his perspective.
“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.”
Jason Aldean continued, “‘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. 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.”
He then spoke out on the comments users made about him being the subject of one of the world’s deadliest mass shootings.
“As 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.”
Jason Aldean’s statement was released after social media erupted with comments and criticisms around his music video.
Accused Of Making A “Pro-Lynching” Song
Many users pointed out that the music video featured a performance recorded in front of the Maury County Courthouse in Columbia, Tennessee. This is the site of the 1927 lynching of Henry Choate, an 18-year-old African American man that was accused of attacking a white woman.
Others were outraged by the news clips in the music video, which included visuals of police brutality and unrest during the height of the pandemic in 2020 as well as scenes of riots and looting that destroyed American cities.
“I just watched/heard about 45 seconds of the new Jason Aldean video/song and it is absolute right wing propaganda. ‘try that in a small town, we take care of our own’ ok well the small town my wife grew up in knew of abuse and no one did anything,” one Twitter user said.
Aldean Criticized For Sharing A Pro-Gun Message With The Song’s Lyrics
Another user said the music video “rips into the left-wing riots, soft on crime governance in cities, gun control, and other leftist degradation.” Someone else believes the song is an “ode to a sundown town, suggesting people be beaten or shot for expressing free speech.”
The singer was also criticized for releasing a song with a pro-gun message as he was on stage at the Route 91 Festival in Las Vegas in 2017 when a gunman shot and killed more than 60 people. To date, this remains the deadliest mass shooting in U.S. history.
“Got a gun that my granddad gave me / They say one day they’re gonna round up / Well, that shit might fly in the city, good luck / Try that in a small town,” Aldean sings.
CMT Pulled Jason Aldean’s Music Video
On Tuesday afternoon, it was revealed that CMT had pulled the “Try That In A Small Town” music video from rotation.
According to Billboard, the network pulled the music video on Monday without any explanation.
CMT reportedly declined to comment on their decision to stop playing Aldean’s music video, however, the network did confirm with the outlet that the clip has officially been removed from its platform.
Produced by Michael Knox and written by Kurt Allison, Tully Kennedy, Kelley Lovelace, and Neil Thrasher, “Try That In A Small Town” impacted Country radio on May 22.
