Jason Aldean's music video 'Try That In A Small Town' taken off by Country Music Television. What is the controversy?

Following the release of Jason Aldean's music video "Try That In A Small Town," which drew criticism for its content, Country Music Television (CMT) has taken it off the air. A CMT spokesperson has confirmed the move, as per a report by USA TODAY on Wednesday.

The music video faced backlash due to concerns about its portrayal of gun violence and lynching, especially considering Aldean's personal history as a survivor of a mass shooting during a performance in 2017. Many viewed the song's lyrics as potentially encouraging violent sentiments, which particularly affected Aldean's rural, small-town fan base.

Critics online were quick to point out the troubling connotations of the song, particularly in light of the historical significance of the filming location. Some scenes in the video were shot at the Maury County Courthouse in Columbia, Tennessee, where a Black man named Henry Choate, 18, was tragically lynched in 1927. Furthermore, the site was also associated with the infamous Columbia Race Riot of 1946.


In response to the criticism, Aldean took to Twitter to defend the song's intentions and share his perspective. He stated that while he respects diverse interpretations of music, he believes some criticisms go too far.

"Try That In A Small Town" was released as a song in May, and Aldean released the corresponding music video on Friday to generate excitement for an upcoming album release. However, in light of the concerns raised, CMT decided to remove the video from its rotation to address the sensitive issues raised by its content.

FAQs
Q1. What is the name of Jason Aldean's music video?
A1. "Try That In A Small Town" was released as a song in May, and Aldean released the corresponding music video on Friday to generate excitement for an upcoming album release.

Q2. Why has CMT taken off Jason Aldean's music video?
A2. The music video faced backlash due to concerns about its portrayal of gun violence and lynching, especially considering Aldean's personal history as a survivor of a mass shooting during a performance in 2017. Many viewed the song's lyrics as potentially encouraging violent sentiments, which particularly affected Aldean's rural, small-town fan base. In light of the concerns raised, CMT decided to remove the video from its rotation to address the sensitive issues raised by its content.