Jason Aldean remains steadfast in his support of his controversial new song, “Try That in a Small Town.”
During his performance at the Riverbend Music Center in Cincinnati, Ohio, on Friday, Aldean addressed the backlash surrounding his latest single. Critics have accused the song and its music video of promoting vigilantism and racial violence.
The 46-year-old singer, referring to the outcry against his song, blamed “cancel culture” for targeting him.
“I have to tell you guys, it has been a challenging week. I’ve seen a lot of things,” Aldean commented.
“There have been many suggestions about who I am and what I stand for. But here’s the truth: everyone is entitled to their own opinion. Just because someone thinks something doesn’t make it true, right?” he added.
“What I am is a proud American. I am proud of my roots,” Aldean proclaimed.
The audience erupted in applause.
“I love our country and I want to see it return to its former glory before all this nonsense started happening to us,” he concluded. “I love my country, I love my family, and I will do whatever it takes to protect them. I guarantee you that.”
The crowd responded with chants of “U.S.A.”
Aldean continued to discuss “cancel culture,” noting that people are eager to “ruin your life, ruin everything” if they disagree with your public statements. He expressed gratitude towards country music fans for their ability to see through the noise and distractions.
After his speech, Aldean performed “Try That in a Small Town” for the enthusiastic crowd.
The song has sparked controversy, with many critics labeling it as a “pro-lynching” anthem.
Although the song was released in May, the controversy reignited when Aldean unveiled the accompanying music video this month.
The music video was filmed in front of the Maury County Courthouse in Columbia, Tennessee, where a Black man named Henry Chaote was lynched in 1927 by a white mob. The courthouse was also the site of the 1946 Columbia race riots, when Tennessee Highway Patrol officers forcefully entered a Black neighborhood following a contentious court case.
The music video incorporates footage of Black Lives Matter protests along with scenes of Aldean performing in front of the courthouse. Some critics argue that Aldean is equating protests against police brutality with violent crime.
Country Music Television (CMT) removed the music video from its rotation following the uproar. The video had been airing over the weekend before being pulled on Monday, as reported by Billboard.
Aldean had previously defended his song in a lengthy Twitter statement. He emphasized that there are no references to race in the lyrics.
“I understand that everyone is entitled to their own interpretation of a song, but in this case, it has gone too far,” he wrote.
“To me, ‘Try That In A Small Town’ represents the sense of community I experienced while growing up, where we looked out for our neighbors regardless of their background or beliefs,” he explained.
Given the association of Aldean’s song with gun violence, headlines highlighting the tragic mass shooting that occurred at one of his concerts in Las Vegas in 2017 have added to the confusion. The shooting resulted in the deaths of 58 individuals and left hundreds injured.
— With files from Global News’ Kathryn Mannie
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