Country singer Jason Aldean seemingly altered his controversial music video for “Try That In A Small Town.”
Aldean has been at the center of controversy since he released the music video for his latest single “Try That In A Small Town” on July 14th. The single originally hit the music scene in May, but its music video, unveiled recently, sparked a torrent of criticism. The song centers on the traditional country music themes of small towns and firearms, but some people raised concerns about its potentially threatening undertones with racial implications. The controversy intensified when viewers discovered that the video was shot in front of the Maury County Courthouse in Columbia, Tennessee.
The Maury County Courthouse carries a troubling history, being linked to several incidents of racial violence, notably the Columbia Race Riot of 1946. This historical backdrop further fueled the controversy surrounding the music video. Critics contend that Aldean’s choice of this location unintentionally brought forth painful memories and exacerbated racial tension.
These accusations directed at the song and its video highlight the ongoing discourse concerning representation, sensitivity, and cultural awareness in the entertainment industry. Many individuals demanded greater accountability and urged artists to approach their creative pursuits with a heightened awareness of the historical and social implications linked to their work.
CMT pulled the “Try That In a Small Town” music video after it played for three days straight after receiving backlash.
According to Billboard, CMT pulled the video on Monday (July 17) after it premiered the video on Friday (July 14) and played it Saturday and Sunday as well. It is not known how many times the video was played over the weekend. CMT declined to comment further.
Jason Aldean releases statement after CMT pulls his song.
In a statement on social media, the country singer addressed CMT pulling his video for a song that has been out on the radio since May.
The Song Has Had Incredible Chart Success
Despite the controversy, Aldean’s fans have supported the singer – and the song – so much that “Try That In A Small Town” reached #1 on the all-genre iTunes chart, and experienced the “biggest sales week for a country song in over 10 years.” The surge in downloads shot the song straight to #1 on the country chart and #2 on the all-genre chart.
READ MORE: Jason Aldean’s “Try That In A Small Town” Hits #1 On Country Chart & #2 On All-Genre Chart
Along with the surge in purchases, many country singers have come to Aldean’s defense including Luke Bryan, Cody Johnson, and Lee Greenwood.
RELATED: 9 Country Singers Supporting Jason Aldean Amid Backlash
“Try That In A Small Town” Video Has Been Altered
The Washington Post reports that Aldean’s music video is six seconds shorter as of Tuesday (July 24). The publication reports that rthe video has “remove[d] images of a Black Lives matter demonstration” and it “no longer contains o longer contains a news clip from Fox 5 Atlanta depicting violent confrontations during Black Lives Matter demonstrations in 2020 and subsequent protests in January.”