Gun control activist claims she pulled country star Jason Aldean’s song “Try That in a Small Town” from CMT because it was “racist and violent”… while ABC refuses to pull a record from CMA Fest
A prominent gun control activist takes credit for canceling country star Jason Aldean’s controversial new song, which she says is “racist and violent.”
Shannon Watts, founder of Moms Demand Action, drew attention to the lyrics to Aldean’s new song “Try That in a Small Town” last weekend when she wrote that the song’s lyrics are about “how he and his friends will shoot you if you try to take their guns.”
Watts pointed out that Aldean was “on stage during the mass shooting at a concert in Las Vegas in 2017 that killed 60 people and injured more than 400.”
Watts’ claim came a day after CMT pulled the song from the air. When Watts learned Country Music Television pulled the song and music video, he tweeted, “Proud to have had a hand in getting CMT to reject this racist and violent song.”
While CMT picked up the music video, ABC aired a pre-recorded performance of the song during “CMA Fest” on Wednesday — sparking criticism online.
Shannon Watts, founder of Moms Demand Action, drew attention to the lyrics to Aldean’s new song, “Try That in a Small Town,” last weekend when she wrote that the song’s lyrics are about “how he and his friends will shoot you if you try to get their guns.”
Watts also targeted Aldean’s planned participation in a star-studded August benefit for the Covenant School in Nashville, which was the scene of a mass shooting earlier this year.
The @opry hosts Jason Aldean at a Covenant School fundraiser in Nashville. You’d think there would be a lot of other country music artists they could invite instead?’ Watts wrote.
Aldean, 46, released the weaponized, anti-woke video on Friday, criticizing violent and destructive opponents for antics that wouldn’t fly south.
Both the text and video, which feature clips of BLM protesters trashing cities with rules that endorse traditional values and “take care of our own,” have sparked outrage online.
Aldean addressed his detractors in an Instagram story on Tuesday, denying any anti-black or pro-lynching sentiment, pointing out that people have only now discovered it, two months after it was released.
“In the last 24 hours I’ve been accused of putting out a pro-lynching song (one that’s been out since May) and I’ve been compared that I (direct quote) wasn’t too happy with the nationwide BLM protests,” He wrote. “These references are not only worthless, they are also dangerous.”
“There’s not a single lyric in the song that references or hints at race – and there isn’t a single video clip that isn’t actual news footage – and while I can respect others to have their own interpretation of a song with music – this one goes too far,” he added.
Since its release last Friday, the music video has received 3.
6 million views on YouTube.
On Wednesday night, online comments began pouring in about Aldean’s CMA Fest performance on ABC, which was originally taped on June 10 at Nashville’s Nissan Stadium in celebration of the Country Music Association’s 50th anniversary.
The CMA Fest broadcast featured other performances from artists such as Miranda Lambert, Tim McGraw, Eric Church, and Luke Combs.
“Honestly, the CMA party that still lets the disgusting @Jason_Aldean perform is disgusting,” one Twitter user wrote Wednesday night.
“#CMAFEST is being shut down because Jason Aldean’s song ‘In a Small Town’ shouldn’t be playing anywhere. Shame on you @abc,” wrote another.
A third called Aldean a “disgrace to country music.”
“Jason Aldean and this awful song makes me want to change channels,” wrote yet another.
Aldean on Day 3 of the CMA Fest held June 10, 2023 in Nashville, Tennessee – Online comments began pouring in on Wednesday evening about Aldean’s performance at CMA Fest
Despite all the haters, Aldean supporters also expressed their thoughts on Wednesday evening.
‘@Jason_Aldean STAND ON YOUR GROUND!!’ one wrote.
‘Speak your truth! This is the US. It’s your right. The vigil will always find fault. I buy your song!’ wrote another.
“They can’t cancel @Jason_Aldean!!!!!!!
@CountryMusic WAY TO SHUT THEM OFF!!!!!’ wrote a third.
In an attempt to explain the song to critics, Aldean said he does not believe the song’s message is inherently political.
“Try that in a small town” to me refers to the sense of community I had growing up, where we took care of our neighbors regardless of differences in background or creed. Because they were our neighbors, and that was beyond all differences,” Aldean said.
He added that “NO ONE, including me, wants to keep seeing meaningless headlines or families torn apart,” noting that he was at the Route 91 Las Vegas Harvest Festival, where 61 people died in the deadliest mass shooting in U.S. history.
“My political views have never been something I’ve hid from, and I know many of us in this country disagree on how we can return to a sense of normalcy where we go at least a day without a headline that keeps us awake at night.
But the desire for it – that’s what this song is about,” he concluded.
A CMT spokesperson confirmed this earlier this week Billboard the video had been pulled from the airwaves. Aldean has not commented on the network’s decision.
Aldean opens the song: “Call a cop, spit in his face. Stomp on the flag and light it. Yeah, do you think you’re tough? Try that in a small town.’
In the music video, Aldean sings in front of a large white estate and an American flag intertwined with clips from BLM protests
The country music star used footage from Black Lives Matter riots for the divisive song
The music video was met with backlash from some who felt the lyrics were dog whistles designed to offend, while others saw it as a commentary on America’s sharp divisions.
“Sucker punch someone on a sidewalk, carjack an old lady at a red light,” he sings. “Pull a gun on the liquor store owner — you think it’s cool, well, go crazy.
‘Look how far you get on the road. We take care of ourselves around here. If you cross that line it won’t be long before you find out – I advise you not to try that in a small town.’
One line caused particular offense among some gun-hating listeners, where Aldean sang, “I’ve got a gun my grandpa gave me, they say they’re gonna collect one day… well that s*** can be in the air fly city, good luck.’
While some consider any reference to guns to be “crossing the line,” Aldean’s lyrics were also seen as insensitive given his connection to the deadly Las Vegas mass shooting.
The 46-year-old closed the song with a tribute to the values of the South, noting that small towns are “full of good old boys, standing on their feet.”
“If you’re looking for a fight, try it in a small town.”