Fact Check: Country Star Jason Aldean Launches His Own Music Channel?
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Claim:
Jason Aldean started his own music channel after facing ban from Country Music Television due to his controversial video and politics.
Rating:
On Aug. 3, 2023, SpaceXMania published an article positing that Jason Aldean, popular country music singer, had started his own music channel following a ban by Country Music Television (CMT). The article claimed that the independent channel would feature Aldean's music exclusively along with behind-the-scenes footage, interviews, live performances, and even a new reality show called "Living with Aldean."
SpaceXMania subsequently posted the claim on its Facebook page on Nov. 26, garnering 18,000 reactions and 1,600 comments, as of this writing.
The article began:
Breaking: Jason Aldean Launches Own Music Channel in Response to CMT Ban
In a plot twist that not even the most outrageous country music songs could predict, the “Dirt Road Anthem” singer, Jason Aldean, who recently faced a public controversy leading to his music being banned by CMT, has decided to fight fire with fire, and surprisingly, a banjo.
In the wild world of country music, the rule is simple: don’t get mad, get even. And that’s exactly what Aldean has done. The news broke this morning that he would launch his very own music channel, creatively and appropriately named ‘Aldean’s Uncensored’. Yes, you heard that right. The ban has pushed Aldean to create his very own platform, a “safe haven” for his music, his fans, and his hat – all untouched and ‘uncensored’.
This article was not a factual recounting of real-life events; Aldean has announced no such independent channel. The article originated with a website that describes its output as being humorous or satirical in nature, as follows:
Please note that the article under the category “SATIRE” are satirical in nature and are not meant to be taken seriously. These articles are meant to be humorous and are often entirely made up. We make no claim that the information presented in these articles is true or accurate.
Readers should exercise caution and use their own judgment when reading and interpreting our satirical articles. We take no responsibility for any actions taken based on the content of these articles.
Aldean was in hot water for a polarizing music video published in July, leading the CMT to ban that one particular video of his, not him as an artist. The music video in question, "Try That In A Small Town," featured violent scenes of clashes with police, convenient store robberies, destruction of property, etc. A Tennessee courthouse could be seen rising behind Aldean as he sings, an American flag prominently centered on the building.
That particular courthouse was the site of the horrific 1927 lynching of Henry Choate, an 18-year-old Black man, who was falsely accused of attacking a white girl. The chorus of the song is as follows:
Try that in a small town
See how far ya make it down the road
Around here, we take care of our own
You cross that line, it won't take long
For you to find out, I recommend you don't
Try that in a small town
Upon CMT's banning of the video, calls for a boycott reached all the way to former U.S. President Donald Trump, who posted on his social media platform Truth Social: "Jason Aldean is a fantastic guy who just came out with a great new song. Support Jason all the way. MAGA!!!"
Aldean responded to the backlash on X (formerly Twitter), explaining that:
Try That In A Small Town, for me, refers to the feeling of a community that I had growing up, where we took care of our neighbors, regardless of differences of background or belief. Because they were our neighbors, and that was above any differences. My political views have never been something I’ve hidden from, and I know that a lot of us in this Country don’t agree on how we get back to a sense of normalcy where we go at least a day without a headline that keeps us up at night. But the desire for it to- that’s what this song is about.
We've previously debunked other rumors related to Aldean, such as that he refused $1 million to perform at the Super Bowl.
For background, here is why we sometimes write about satire/humor.
Sources:
Breaking: Jason Aldean Launches Own Music Channel in Response to CMT Ban. 3 Aug. 2023, https://spacexmania.com/breaking-jason-aldean-launches-own-music-channel-in-response-to-cmt-ban13/.
Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/SpaceXElon/posts/pfbid0w4nyYZQCeQU2TtsZhVTkdQus9PSbcinRFPEwUYoYqEarCFKAohEVEgUwnYYhzxCel. Accessed 27 Nov. 2023.
‘Https://Twitter.Com/Jason_Aldean/Status/1681382697875144717’. X (Formerly Twitter), https://twitter.com/Jason_Aldean/status/1681382697875144717. Accessed 27 Nov. 2023.
Jason Aldean - Try That In A Small Town (Official Music Video). www.youtube.com, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b1_RKu-ESCY. Accessed 27 Nov. 2023.
Legaspi, Kory Grow, Althea, et al. ‘A Timeline of Jason Aldean’s Controversies: Blackface and Confederate Flags’. Rolling Stone, 19 July 2023, https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/jason-aldean-controversy-timeline-try-that-in-a-small-town-1234791576/.
Newman, Melinda. ‘CMT Pulls Jason Aldean’s Controversial “Try That In a Small Town” Video: Exclusive’. Billboard, 18 July 2023, https://www.billboard.com/music/country/jason-aldean-try-that-in-a-small-town-video-pulled-cmt-1235373842/.
