Country music star Jason Aldean has found himself at the center of a controversy over ‘cancel culture,’ a sociocultural trend that has upended careers and public reputations nationwide in recent years. Critics contend that Aldean’s latest music video for “Try That In A Small Town” has been unfairly targeted for cancellation.
Earlier this week, Country Music Television (CMT) removed Aldean’s music video from their lineup. The move followed significant backlash concerning the video’s visuals and lyrics, with some critics going as far as to label it a “pro-lynching song.” Aldean vehemently rejects this portrayal.
Comedian Tim Young, in a conversation with Fox News Digital, highlighted the paradox: “It’s interesting how the left will cancel a song about how crime isn’t welcome in a town, yet push songs that glorify drugs, violence, and sex.”
Young continued, “Aldean is a victim of cancel culture, but as we’ve seen recently, conservatives have finally learned how to be heard with their money and how they spend it. I expect his canceling to have the complete opposite effect, where he will make more money and sell more tickets, and be heard by even more people because the left tried to cancel him.”
Aldean’s song is backed by footage from the 2020 riots, with lyrics such as, “Well, try that in a small town, see how far ya make it down the road,” playing over scenes of illegal activity and discussions about gun control.
Taking a stand against ‘cancel culture,’ Consumers’ Research, a nonprofit advocating for consumer understanding of pertinent issues, issued a “woke alert.” They urged CMT to “focus on playing that good old-fashioned American music and stop pandering to the woke mob.”
Consumers’ Research Executive Director Will Hild spoke out against CMT’s actions: “CMT has put woke activists ahead of their own viewers by pulling Jason Aldean’s music video off of its platform. This is another blatant attempt by the cancel culture mob to silence viewpoints other than their own, a clear attack on America’s first freedom, the freedom of speech.”
He added, “These companies need to focus on their consumers, not woke politicians.”
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Controversy also surrounds Aldean’s choice to film at the Maury County Courthouse in Columbia, Tennessee. Ashton Pittman of the Mississippi Free Press criticized the decision, noting the courthouse’s historical association with a tragic lynching incident in 1927.
Many conservatives believe Aldean’s song conveys a message that Americans in small towns won’t tolerate the sort of behavior seen in larger urban areas. However, some perceive the song as being in poor taste.
Former Republican Georgia Sen. Kelly Loeffler shared her perspective on Twitter: “Jason Aldean is giving a voice to millions of Americans – and making Georgia proud.”
Shannon Watts, a prominent gun-control advocate, claimed to have influenced CMT’s decision to pull the video after highlighting its alleged implications in a viral tweet.
Speaking on “Jesse Watters Primetime,” Travis expressed support for Aldean’s freedom of expression. He accused CMT of abandoning Aldean out of fear of cancellation themselves.
South Dakota Republican Gov. Kristi Noem and Sen. Marsha Blackburn also took to social media to voice their support for Aldean, lamenting the state of ‘cancel culture’ in America.
Addressing the controversy, Aldean firmly refuted accusations of promoting a “pro-lynching song” and said these interpretations of his song are “meritless, but dangerous.”
Contrary to expectations, even self-described far-left personality Brian Krassenstein sided with Aldean, criticizing CMT’s decision and suggesting an overreaction to the song.
The music video’s production company, TackleBox, confirmed that the video was filmed at the Maury County Courthouse. They noted the location’s popularity for filming, having been used in several other music videos and movies, and stated that Aldean himself did not choose the site.
