Fans of country music might have another company to target with a controversial song from a beloved artist getting taken off the airwaves. The move comes as many country artists spoke out against Bud Light and have boycotted the brand.
Here’s the latest.
What Happened: Known for hit songs like “Dirt Road Anthem,” “Big Green Tractor,” “Don’t You Wanna Stay” and “My Kinda Party,” Jason Aldean is among the biggest acts in country music over the past decade.
The singer released a controversial song that has been seen as pro-gun and pro-violence. An accompanying music video was seen as even more controversial and has been taken out of rotation by CMT (Country Music Television), which is owned by Paramount Global PARAPARAA.
The song called “Try That In A Small Town” has generated plenty of controversy in recent days.
“Well, try that in a small town. See how far ya make it down the road. Around here, we take care of our own. You cross the line, it won’t take long. For you to find out, I recommend you don’t try that in a small town,” the lyrics say.
A lyric that has caught the attention of many is centered on guns.
“Got a gun that my granddad gave me. They say one day they’re gonna round up. Well that s*** might fly in the city, good luck.”
Some have pointed to the song being tone-deaf about guns given Aldean’s presence at the Route 91 Festival, a country music festival near Las Vegas in 2017 that was the site of a mass shooting.
“No one, including me wants to continue to see senseless headlines or families ripped apart. '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 neighbors,” Aldean tweeted, referencing that he was present at Route 91.
The music video for the song was filmed outside of Maury County Courthouse in Columbia, Tennessee. While many might not know the significance of the building, The Hill shared it was the site of the lynching of an 18-year-old Black teenager in 1927 and also the site of the Columbia race riot in 1946.
Featured in the music video is footage from flag burnings and violent protests.
A CMT spokesperson told The Hill the music video was pulled, but did not offer the reason. The music video has nearly six million views on YouTube in the last six days and has been a trending video.
Aldean has spoken out on the song and video not being about race.
“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,” Aldean tweeted.
While he sings the song and may have helped come up with the direction of the music video, it should be noted Aldean did not write the song. Neil Thrasher, Kurt Allison, Tully Kennedy and Kelley Lovelace are credited as songwriters on it.
The controversy over the song could see it receive heavy airplay and rocket up the charts. Aldean has over 25 number-one country singles, with none written by the singer.
Related Link: Bud Light Hopes To Win Back Fans Through NFL & Country Music
Presidential Candidates Backing Aldean: Among the voices speaking out in support of Aldean during the controversy are three Republican presidential candidates.
Former President Donald Trump called the song fantastic.
“Jason Aldean is a fantastic guy who just came out with a great new song. Support Jason all the way. MAGA!!!” Trump said on Truth Social, as shared by The Hill.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis shared his take on the controversy.
“When the media attacks you, you’re doing something right. Jason Aldean has nothing to apologize for,” DeSantis tweeted while sharing Aldean’s tweet.
Presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy also tweeted about the values he interpreted from the song.
“Jason Aldean writes a song defending the values that ALL Americans used to share — faith, family, hard work, patriotism — only to be immediately sacrificed at the altar of censorship & cancellation. These are the same people who cheer songs like ‘Cop Killer’ & the glorification of sex and violence in hip-hop. Stand strong against these hypocrites and opportunity frauds,” Ramaswamy tweeted, tagging Aldean in his post.
Ramaswamy sarcastically said it would be a shame if the song hits number one and said he would play it at his campaign rallies to do his part.
Aldean shared in his tweet that he has not hidden his political views. A report from NPR highlights a conservative clothing line that was launched by Aldean’s wife Brittany Aldean that seeks to troll liberals.
Aldean has also defended dressing his children in anti-Joe Biden clothing in the past. The singer has also previously golfed with Donald Trump and sang at the Mar-a-Lago resort.
One person who is not happy with the music video is Chaz Molder, the mayor of Columbia, Tennessee, where the controversial video was filmed.
“Like many small towns across America, Columbia, Tennessee is focused on bringing people together,” Molder told a local news station. “I hadn’t listened to the song prior to today, but I’ve now seen the video.”
Molder said he respects the “freedom” of Aldean’s lyrics, but hopes that music videos filmed in Columbia will have “more positive messages” in the future.
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