Jason Aldean's Surprising Take on Small-Town Resilience Post Boston Marathon Bombing - An Inspiring Perspective

Jason Aldean performs at CMA Fest Shutterstock

Jason Aldean reiterated his support for his song "Try That in a Small Town" during his recent performance in Massachusetts on July 29. The 46-year-old country singer expressed gratitude to his Boston fans for their unwavering support amidst the controversy surrounding the song. Prior to performing the contentious track, which gained immense popularity despite facing widespread criticism, Aldean acknowledged the resilience and unity of the Boston community.

In footage from the concert shared on social media, he expressed that he believed the audience would understand his sentiment better than anyone else. He stated that the true meaning of his song has been overshadowed by irrelevant matters. As he walked briskly across the stage, he recalled the events of April 2013 when the Boston Marathon bombings took place. He asked the audience if they remembered the incident and praised how the entire nation, particularly Boston, came together to apprehend the culprits. He confidently asserted that if any of the audience members had been the ones to locate the bombers before the authorities, they would have taken swift action against them.

Aldean firmly denied that “Try That in a Small Town” had any racial undertones and dismissed the negative criticism of his music. He emphasized that the song was about people taking responsibility for their actions and behaving appropriately. Aldean expressed frustration with others interpreting the meaning of his song and asserted that they did not truly understand his intentions.

The audience responded to Aldean's statement with enthusiastic applause. He acknowledged that they shared the desire to ensure their children's safety at school, emphasizing that this was not a matter of race. Aldean expressed indifference towards the color of someone's skin, stating that he simply could not comprehend the justification for destructive behavior that burdened taxpayers. He concluded that there was an irreconcilable difference in perspectives on this matter.

Since July 14, Aldean has been embroiled in controversy regarding the release of the music video for "Try That in a Small Town," which came two months after the song's original debut. The lyrics provoke individuals to confront situations, such as wielding a gun at a liquor store owner or verbally attacking a police officer, in a small town to test their ability to escape unscathed.

Initially, the music video incorporated news footage from the 2020 Black Lives Matter protests, but scenes depicting the riots were subsequently removed. As the online discussion persisted, CMT made the decision to remove the video from its regular rotation.

Musicians such as Sheryl Crow and Jason Isbell have joined the discussion, raising concerns about Aldean's songwriting methods. Despite this, Jason's wife, Brittany Aldean, has been his most outspoken advocate.

"Don't ever apologize for speaking your truth️," she wrote as a caption for an Instagram picture with her husband on July 18, while strongly condemning the "disgusting story" surrounding his song.

One day later, Brittany gave a shout-out to her family’s loyal fans. “Man do we love y’all. Free thinkers, lions not sheep… thankful for the support, always!” she wrote via Instagram.