CMT Removes Jason Aldean’s “Try That In A Small Town” Music Video Without Explanation Amid Controversy

The network pulled Aldean’s “Try That In A Small Town” music video with no explanation.

By

Andrew Wendowski

Andrew Wendowski is the Founder and CEO of Music Mayhem. As a 29-year-old entrepreneur, he oversees content as the Editor-In-Chief for the independent brand. Wendowski, who splits time between Philadelphia, Penn., and Nashville, Tenn., has an extensive background in multimedia. Before launching Music Mayhem in 2014, he worked as a highly sought-after photojournalist and tour photographer, collaborating with such labels as Interscope Records and Republic Records. He has captured photos of some of the biggest names, including Taylor Swift, Metallica, Harry Styles, P!NK, Morgan Wallen, Carrie Underwood, The Rolling Stones, Madonna, Shania Twain, and hundreds more. Wendowski’s photos and freelance work have appeared nationwide and can be seen everywhere from ad campaigns to various publications, including Billboard and Rolling Stone. When Wendowski isn’t running Music Mayhem, he enjoys spending time at concerts, traveling, and capturing photos.

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Posted on July 18, 2023

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Jason Aldean; Photo Courtesy of “Try That In A Small Town”/YouTube

Jason Aldean’s “Try That In A Small Town” music video has been removed from rotation on CMT. 

According to Billboard, the network pulled the music video on Sunday afternoon (July 16) 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. 

Since the release of the “Try That In A Small Town” music video, the clip has amassed over 382,000 views and counting. 

The move comes after Aldean came under fire for the “Try That In A Small Town” song and music video. Social media users accused the singer of being pro-gun and racist. 

Accused Of Making A “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. 

Jason Aldean Speaks Out

On Tuesday (July 18), the country superstar 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.”

Jason Aldean; Photo Courtesy of Josh Brasted/CMA
Jason Aldean; Photo Courtesy of Josh Brasted/CMA

What Does Jason Aldean’s “Try That In A Small Town” Song Mean?

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.”

Subject Of One Of The World’s Deadliest Mass Shootings

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.”

At the time of the music video’s release, Jason Aldean shared the following message with fans: “When you grow up in a small town, it’s that unspoken rule of ‘we all have each other’s backs and we look out for each other,’” he wrote on social media. “It feels like somewhere along the way, that sense of community and respect has gotten lost. Deep down we are all ready to get back to that. I hope my new music video helps y’all know that you are not alone in feeling that way.”

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.

Jason Aldean Says He Immediately Resonated With The Song’s Message

Aldean previously opened up about making the decision to record the song during a recent interview on The Bobby Bones Show.  

“For me, I heard the song and it just kind of explained to me what’s going on in the world. It resonated with me, I guess is a better word because of what’s going on in the world.”

He continued, “It’s like everyday you turn on the news and see something crazy happened or some heartbreaking story. This is just a song that talks about like you wouldn’t get away with that stuff in a small town. It’s just a different mindset and different kind of values in small town America that I wish everybody else would kind of adopt. It’d probably help some of things that are going on in the world.”

Jason Aldean, Photo Provided by Theo Wargo
Jason Aldean, Photo Provided by Theo Wargo

“Try That In A Small Town” is expected to appear on Aldean’s forthcoming 11th studio album, which has yet-to-be announced. 

He is slated to perform the song on the three-hour CMA Fest special, airing on ABC on Wednesday, July 19.

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Andrew Wendowski is the Founder and CEO of Music Mayhem. As a 29-year-old entrepreneur, he oversees content as the Editor-In-Chief for the independent brand. Wendowski, who splits time between Philadelphia, Penn., and Nashville, Tenn., has an extensive background in multimedia. Before launching Music Mayhem in 2014, he worked as a highly sought-after photojournalist and tour photographer, collaborating with such labels as Interscope Records and Republic Records. He has captured photos of some of the biggest names, including Taylor Swift, Metallica, Harry Styles, P!NK, Morgan Wallen, Carrie Underwood, The Rolling Stones, Madonna, Shania Twain, and hundreds more. Wendowski’s photos and freelance work have appeared nationwide and can be seen everywhere from ad campaigns to various publications, including Billboard and Rolling Stone. When Wendowski isn’t running Music Mayhem, he enjoys spending time at concerts, traveling, and capturing photos.

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