Aldean addresses criticism of controversial music video
After last week’s release of his music video, Jason Aldean denied that his song, “Try That in a Small Town,” has racial undertones.
Aldean, 46, denied the notion that the tune, which hit the airwaves in May and only recently received visuals, referenced “race or points to it.” In the music video, Aldean touts how small towns wouldn’t put up with the same sort of riots and lawlessness many cities across the country faced during the summer of 2020.
During the past 24 hours, Aldean shared with his nearly 8 million fans across social media that he had been accused of releasing a pro-lynching song (a song that has been out since May) and that he (direct quote) wasn’t too pleased with the nationwide BLM protests.
“These references are not only worthless, but dangerous as well.”
“Never apologize for speaking the truth,” Brittany Aldean wrote in a selfie with her husband while on the beach.
His as-yet untitled 11th studio album’s second single also drew criticism for its accompanying music video, which featured footage from 2020 Black Lives Matter protests.
ANTI-CRIME, PRO-GUN SONG BY COUNTRY SINGER JASON ALDEAN ANGERS LIBERAL ACTIVISTS ABOUT 2020 RIOTS
“There isn’t 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 respect other people’s interpretations of songs with music, this one goes too far,” he wrote in Instagram and Twitter posts.
As part of the lyrics for the song on his forthcoming album, he says, “Yeah, you think you’re tough? Try that out in a small town, and see how far you can go. Here, we take care of our own, and if you cross that line, you’ll find out quickly, so I recommend you don’t.”
In his post, Aldean continued, “And so many pointed out that I was present on Route 91, where so many people died- and our community recently suffered another heartbreaking tragedy.” “NONE of us wants to continue seeing senseless headlines or families ripped apart.”
The country singer was one of the headlining acts at the 2017 Las Vegas music festival where a mass shooting occurred; a gunman killed 60 people and wounded more than 400 attendees after firing over 1,000 rounds into the crowd from a 32nd-floor suite at the Mandalay Bay.
“Try That In A Small Town describes the feeling of community that I had growing up, where we looked out for each other regardless of differences in background or belief,” Aldean wrote. Because they were our neighbors, and that was more important than any differences.”
My political views have never been something I have hidden from, and I am aware that there are many of us in this country who aren’t sure how to get back to a state of normalcy where we don’t read headlines that keep us up all night. This song is about the desire for it to happen.”