Jason Aldean Defends Controversial 'Try That in a Small Town' Video, Reasserts Good Intentions
Jason Aldean stands firm in his support for the controversial ‘Try That in a Small Town’ single and its music video, emphasizing his good intentions amidst the ongoing uproar
Jason Aldean stands by his decision to release his song "Try That in a Small Town" and its accompanying music video, despite facing widespread criticism. In an interview with CBS News, Aldean expressed that he does not feel remorseful for his actions, citing his genuine intentions for shooting the video and recording the song. However, he did acknowledge that with hindsight, he would consider choosing a different location to film the video, given the controversy that ensued.
He went on to say: "I am fully aware of the motives behind the choice of location, the video, and the song itself. And, without a doubt, I support all of it."
In May, the country singer released his song "Try That in a Small Town" which garnered swift backlash from listeners who interpreted its lyrics as endorsing anti-gun control measures and perpetuating racial inequality. The criticism intensified when the music video for the song was released in June.
“There were individuals of diverse ethnic backgrounds actively participating in the video. This is what I find perplexing,” Aldean stated during the sit-down on Wednesday. "White and Black individuals were both present. It is evident that the video did not single out any particular group as the sole problem. If anyone interpreted it that way, they simply did not scrutinize the video closely enough."
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The video's location choice sparked controversy as it was filmed in front of the Maury County Courthouse in Columbia, Tennessee. This courthouse had been the site of a Black teen's lynching in 1927. Aldean, who resides in Columbia, stated that he was unaware of the courthouse's historical significance.
"But I don't typically research a place's history from a hundred years ago before shooting there," he added, acknowledging that many small-town courthouses have had a history of racial issues. "It's also where I go to renew my car tags annually. It's my county, my home."
According to Aldean, the intention of his music video was to shed light on the lawlessness and lack of respect towards law enforcement that some residents in small towns have adopted. His personal experiences during the 2017 Route 91 festival, where a gunman started shooting during his performance, also served as inspiration for the song. Aldean mentioned that his pregnant wife and fans were present at the time, and the chaotic situation left him feeling unprepared with only his guitar, prompting a different perspective on life.
Despite Jason's alleged good intentions, he confesses that he initially believed the inclusion of the word "gun" in the lyrics would be the main concern surrounding "Try That in a Small Town."
"I never anticipated the level of backlash it received," he acknowledged. "It seems that the video, rather than the song itself, was the primary catalyst for the controversy."
