Jason Aldean's Electrifying Performance of 'Let Your Boys Be Country' at the 2024 CMT Music Awards Following Past Controversy

Jason Aldean Performs Let Your Boys Be Country at the 2024 CMT Music Awards After Controversy

Jason Aldean Hubert Vestil/Getty Images

Jason Aldean made a comeback at the 2024 CMT Music Awards on Sunday, April 7, following a song controversy from the previous year.

The 47-year-old singer took the stage to perform “Let Your Boys Be Country” at the ceremony held at the Moody Center in Austin, Texas. Although the song was nominated for Video of the Year, it did not advance to the final round when the six finalists were revealed earlier this month.

Aldean wore a white cowboy hat, brown buttoned-up shirt, and jeans as he performed on stage. During the song, he shouted, "Where my boys at tonight, c’mon!" prompting cheers from the crowd.

In July 2023, Aldean received criticism for the lyrics of his song "Try That in a Small Town."

He sang about cussing out a cop, spitting in his face, and stomping on the flag before lighting it up. He mocked the idea of being tough and dared someone to try those actions in a small town. He warned that around there, people take care of their own, and crossing that line would have consequences. He strongly advised against trying it.

In addition, he mentioned having a gun passed down from his granddad, hinting at potential trouble in the future. He scoffed at the idea of authorities rounding up people, suggesting it might be more accepted in the city.

Jason Aldean Performs Let Your Boys Be Country at the 2024 CMT Music Awards After Controversy

Jason Aldean Catherine Powell/Getty Images for CMT

The music video for the song sparked controversy because it was filmed in front of a Tennessee courthouse where a Black teenager was lynched in 1927. Aldean claimed he did not know about the location's history. Due to the backlash, the video was taken down from CMT.

Aldean stood by the song and defended it. He addressed the accusations against him, stating that the song had been released in May and was not about lynching or against the BLM protests. He emphasized that the lyrics do not mention race and the video contains real news footage. Aldean acknowledged that people may interpret the song differently, but he believed the criticism was unwarranted and extreme.

After facing criticism for the pro-gun lyrics in his song, Jason Aldean defended himself by explaining that he experienced a mass shooting at his 2017 Las Vegas concert. He clarified that the song is about the sense of unity and community he grew up with, where neighbors looked out for each other regardless of differences.

Despite the backlash, Aldean stood by his decision to release the song and reiterated that he had no regrets about it.

"I don’t feel bad about it because I know my intentions behind shooting the video there and recording the song," he told CBS News in November 2023. "I would do it over again, every time ... minus the setting. Knowing what I know now, maybe you look at doing it somewhere else."

Aldean also mentioned that he understood the intentions behind the location, the video, and the song, and he could still confidently stand by all of it.

Editor's P/S:

Jason Aldean's performance at the CMT Music Awards was a powerful statement of resilience in the face of controversy. Despite the criticism surrounding his song "Try That in a Small Town," Aldean took the stage with confidence and delivered a rousing rendition that resonated with the audience. His performance served as a reminder that even amid adversity, artists have the right to express their perspectives and connect with their fans.

The song's lyrics, which some found offensive, sparked a debate about the role of music in society. Aldean's defense of the song highlighted his belief in the importance of artistic freedom and the right to explore complex themes. While the lyrics may have been polarizing, Aldean's willingness to stand by his work demonstrates the strength of his convictions and his commitment to his craft.