Jason Aldean’s video pulled out by CMT; What is the controversy over 'Try That In A Small Town' song?

Country Music Television (CMT) has decided to stop airing Jason Aldean's music video "Try That In A Small Town" following its release on Friday. This decision came after Aldean faced backlash due to perceived themes of gun violence and lynching in the song. The network received criticism from online critics who viewed the lyrics as promoting sentiments that could exacerbate gun violence and lynching among Aldean's rural, small-town fan base. A CMT spokesperson confirmed the removal of the video from rotation in an email to USA TODAY on Wednesday.

Viewers pointed out that certain scenes in the music video were filmed at the Maury County Courthouse in Columbia, Tennessee. This location holds historical significance as it was the site of the 1927 lynching of Henry Choate, an 18-year-old Black man. It is also associated with the infamous Columbia Race Riot that took place in 1946.

What is the 'Try That In A Small Town' controversy?

In May, Aldean released his song "Try That In A Small Town" and recently debuted the music video as part of the build-up to his upcoming album.

In a statement accompanying the release, he expressed his desire to reconnect with the sense of community and respect that he believes has been lost over time.

However, the song received criticism from Shannon Watts, founder of Moms Demand Action, who interpreted it as promoting violence and intolerance. Watts celebrated CMT's decision to remove the video from rotation. Singer Sheryl Crow also voiced her disapproval, emphasizing that promoting violence is neither American nor reflective of small-town values. Tennessee state Representative Justin Jones denounced the song's call for racist violence and advocated for common-sense gun laws that protect all communities and children.

Has Jason Aldean responded to criticism?

Jason Aldean took to Twitter on Tuesday to address the controversy surrounding his song "Try That In A Small Town" and clarify its meaning. He responded to accusations of releasing a pro-lynching song and being unsupportive of the Black Lives Matter protests. Aldean stated that these claims are baseless and dangerous. He emphasized that the song does not reference race in its lyrics and the video only features real news footage. Aldean, having experienced the tragic Route 91 incident and other heartbreaking events, expressed his desire to avoid senseless headlines and families being torn apart.

FAQs:

Q1:Who is Jason Aldean?
Jason Aldean is a popular American country music singer, songwriter, and TV personality. He has achieved great success with 10 studio albums, all of which have been certified platinum or multi-platinum by the RIAA. Aldean's talent has been recognized with numerous awards, including 15 Academy of Country Music Awards, 14 Country Music Association Awards, and 2 American Music Awards. He holds the distinction of being the most awarded country artist of the 2010s.

Q2:What is Country Music Television (CMT)?
CMT, short for Country Music Television, is an American television channel owned by ViacomCBS. It focuses on airing country music videos, TV shows, and news. As a music video-based channel, CMT is dedicated to showcasing the best of country music to its viewers.