Georgia native Jason Aldean's music video draws criticism for choice of backdrop
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Georgia native Jason Aldean recently released a music video for his new song "Try That in a Small Town" causing a flurry of response on social media.
The backdrop of the music video is an American flag displayed on the Maury County Courthouse in Columbia, Tennessee, known as the location for the 1927 lynching of Henry Choate.
The song, released in May, references Aldean's perception of small-town law and order. The Macon, Ga. native sings how citizens in towns "full of good ol' boys, raised up right" respond to a variety of instances, including crime such as carjacking, assault and armed robbery.
Aldean posted the video to his Instagram with the following message: "When u grow up in a small town, it’s that unspoken rule of “we all have each other’s backs and we look out for each other.” It feels like somewhere along the way, that sense of community and respect has gotten lost. Deep down we are all ready to get back to that. I hope my new music video helps y’all know that u are not alone in feeling that way. Go check it out!"
Other Jason Aldean news: Jason Aldean, Morgan Wallen, more to perform at Covenant School benefit at Opry House
Recent: Jason Aldean abruptly ends concert after suffering heat exhaustion: 'It was pretty intense'
Reaction to Jason Aldean's music video with Maury County courthouse in background
The social media response to Aldean's video was split, with some cheering on his pro-gun rights messaging and others criticizing the talking point as well as noting the backdrop of the music video.
Jason Aldean shot this at the site where a white lynch mob strung Henry Choate up at the Maury County Courthouse in Columbia, Tenn., after dragging his body through the streets with a car in 1927.
That's where Aldean chose to sing about murdering people who don't respect police. https://t.co/gBL7FlaBS2 pic.twitter.com/eGfmMc8HAI— Ashton Pittman (@ashtonpittman) July 17, 2023
Why did you record this dog whistle song in front of the Maury County Courthouse? The same courthouse that saw the Columbia Race Riots in 1946? Where a bunch of white men attempted the lynching of Thurgood Marshall? Coincidence?
— Laura Burkhardt 🧡 (@LauraAnnSTL) July 17, 2023
At least one Twitter user pointed out that Aldean was the on-stage performer during the 2017 Las Vegas mass shooting that killed 60 people and wounded hundreds.
.@Jason_Aldean - who was on-stage during the mass shooting at a Las Vegas concert in 2017 that killed 60 people and wounded over 400 more - has recorded a song called “Try That In A Small Town” about how he and his friends will shoot you if you try to take their guns. pic.twitter.com/hWGdEgS33v
— Shannon Watts (@shannonrwatts) July 17, 2023
While the video was met with considerable backlash, it also received praise from those who support Republican policies and right-wing perspective.
Jason Aldean just released an absolutely epic music video for the song "Try That In a Small Town" that rips into the left-wing riots, soft on crime governance in cities, gun control, and other leftist degradation. pic.twitter.com/dUYzGbnvc6
— Greg Price (@greg_price11) July 17, 2023
Aldean responds to criticism, backlash
After much criticism and backlash regarding the video, Aldean released the following statement on Twitter:"In the past 24 hours I have been accused of releasing a pro-lynching song (a song that has been out since May) and was subject to the comparison that I (direct quote) was not too pleased with the nationwide BLM protests. These references are not only meritless, but dangerous. There is not a single lyric in the song that references race or points to it- and there isn’t a single video clip that isn’t real news footage -and while I can try and respect others to have their own interpretation of a song with music- this one goes too far.
As so many pointed out, I was present at Route 91-where so many lost their lives- and our community recently suffered another heartbreaking tragedy. NO ONE, including me, wants to continue to see senseless headlines or families ripped apart.
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."
Jason Aldean's "Try That In A Small Town" lyrics
The chorus of Aldean's "Try That In A Small Town" is:
Well, try that in a small townSee how far ya make it down the road'Round here, we take care of our ownYou cross that line, it won't take longFor you to find out, I recommend you don'tTry that in a small town
To see the full lyrics, go to one of the following sources:
Genius.com: https://genius.com/Jason-aldean-try-that-in-a-small-town-lyrics
AZ Lyrics: https://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/jasonaldean/trythatinasmalltown.html
Other recent Jason Aldean news
Aldean, who launched his Highway Desperado tour on Friday, halted and postponed his second show in Hartford, Connecticut, on Saturday after suffering heat exhaustion during his performance, according to an Instagram post from the concert’s venue, Xfinity Theatre.
“Yesterday’s Jason Aldean show will be rescheduled for a future date,” the venue wrote Sunday. “We appreciate your patience as we work on rescheduling a new date, as well as the outpouring of well wishes for Jason. A rep has confirmed he is now doing well after experiencing heat stroke during last night’s performance.”
More: Jason Aldean abruptly ends concert after suffering heat exhaustion: 'It was pretty intense'
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Jason Aldean 'Try That In A Small Town' music video sparks response