Shocking Twist: Jason Aldean's Chart-Topping Song Sparks Outrage with Unexpected Video Alterations!

Jason Aldean Daniel DeSlover/Shutterstock

Jason Aldean's controversial music video for "Try That in a Small Town" has undergone subtle alterations as it gains popularity on the charts. According to The Washington Post, the video is now six seconds shorter than its original version, uploaded on July 14. It appears that footage depicting Black Lives Matter demonstrations and protests from Fox 5 Atlanta in 2020 has been removed from the initial video.

The video initially included the clips twice. One particular scene showed the footage projected outside a courthouse in Tennessee, which was suspected to be the location of a Black teen's lynching in the 1920s. However, TackleBox, the production company responsible for the video, has previously denied any connection between the building's history and Jason Aldean, who did not personally choose the location.

Furthermore, the ending of the video underwent additional modifications. According to the Post, the new version no longer features an older man discussing small-town life or footage of a man wearing a baseball cap, both of which were present in the final 30 seconds of the original video.

Aldean, who is 46 years old, recently defended his song and its lyrics, following online discussions questioning its content. In the song, Aldean sings, "Cuss out a cop, spit in his face / Stomp on the flag and light it up / Yeah, ya think you’re tough." He goes on to say, "Well, try that in a small town / See how far ya make it down the road / Around here, we take care of our own."

Jason Aldean's YouTube video initially dropped in May, sparking controversy in its wake. Fans were taken aback by the song's pro-gun message, considering Aldean's personal connection to the tragic 2017 Las Vegas shooting.

Aldean took to Twitter amidst the ongoing debate to address his critics. On July 18, he expressed his frustration, stating, "Over the past 24 hours, I have been wrongly accused of promoting a pro-lynching song, despite it being released back in May. There have also been claims that I am not supportive of the nationwide BLM protests, which is completely false. These accusations hold no validity and are not only baseless, but also dangerous."

In an effort to clarify his stance, Aldean emphasized, "The song in question does not contain any racially biased lyrics or insinuations. Furthermore, all the video footage used in the song is authentic news clips. While I understand that music can be open to interpretation, this particular interpretation crosses a line."

Aldean closed his statement by urging others to exercise respect for differing opinions, but also highlighting the need to distinguish when interpretations veer into unacceptable territory.

While Aldean's fellow musicians Sheryl Crow, Cassadee Pope, and Jason Isbell criticized his writing, Brittany Aldean, his wife, remained supportive. She captioned an Instagram post with, "Never apologize for speaking the truth️."

During his concert in Ohio on Friday, July 21, Jason Aldean strongly defended his music, addressing the ongoing criticism. Expressing his exhaustion from the past week, he stated, "I've come across numerous suggestions about my character. However, I believe that everyone has the right to their opinions. Just because someone thinks something doesn't make it true.”

The crowd erupted in "USA" chants as he declared, "I am a patriotic American, proud of my heritage. I deeply cherish our nation and yearn for its restoration to its former glory, away from the ongoing degradation we've been experiencing. I have unwavering loyalty towards my country and my family, and I am prepared to go to any lengths to safeguard them, without a doubt."