After a song recently released by country music star Jason Aldean sparked controversy, local, state, and federal lawmakers are weighing in.
Aldean’s “Try That in a Small Town,” which has conservative undertones, has been deemed “racist” by some on the political left, and has caused a firestorm for the artist.
The song’s lyrics say:
Sucker punch somebody on a sidewalkCarjack an old lady at a red lightPull a gun on the owner of a liquor storeYa think it’s cool, well, act a fool if ya like
Cuss out a cop, spit in his faceStomp on the flag and light it upYeah, ya think you’re tough
Well, try that in a small townSee how far ya make it down the roadAround here, we take care of our ownYou cross that line, it won’t take longFor you to find out, I recommend you don’tTry that in a small town
Objections to the song include that its music video was filmed in front of the Maury County Courthouse in Columbia, where a black man named Henry Choate was lynched nearly 100 years ago.
The backlash has been so intense that Country Music Television pulled the song from its station.
That move drew the ire of Tennessee House Speaker Cameron Sexton (R-District 25).
“[CMT] caved to the radical left. Mainstream media call songs about ‘killing police’ powerful, exposing – voices that speak the truth, but [Jason Aldean] speaks his truth – the media can’t handle it, so they attempt to silence him and the #1 iTunes downloaded country song,” he said.
The mayor of Columbia, Chaz Molder, issued a statement on Twitter.
“I respect the artist’s freedom of his own lyrics and the fans who support him, but I’m hopeful that the next music video that uses our historic downtown as a backdrop will seek a more positive message,” he said.
I respect the artist’s freedom of his own lyrics and the fans who support him, but I’m hopeful that the next music video that uses our historic downtown as a backdrop will seek a more positive message.
Full statement: ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/hxzmHahilP
— Chaz Molder (@chazmolder) July 19, 2023
“Maybe Eric [Church] or Luke [Combs] or Carrie [Underwood] or Dolly [Parton] will be next to record a video in our small town; and they can highlight peace, love and all the things that are great about Columbia, Tennessee,” the full statement said.
Brent Cooper, the district attorney for the 22nd Judicial District which encompasses Maury County, issued a message of support for Aldean on Facebook.
He said:
I’ve spent over 20 years seeking justice in that building behind Mr. Aldean. I’m proud to say that, in those 20+ years, the justice sought there has always been sought based on facts and law and not race. Every small town has a past that has dark periods, but I’m proud to say that this small town has changed and grown and is one to be proud of. That’s one reason people from all over the country are flocking here.
As District Attorney for the “small town” where this video was filmed, I support the message of this song. I support the location of the video shoot. Lawlessness and violence are not welcome here. That’s not a controversial message.
It’s sad that some won’t let go of the past.
Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) also sent a message of support for the artist, taking a dig at Molder in the process.
“The Left is trying to cancel [Jason Aldean’s] pro-America song. Apparently patriotism isn’t a positive message to [Chaz Molder],” she said.
The Left is trying to cancel @Jason_Aldean’s pro-America song.
Apparently patriotism isn’t a positive message to @chazmolder. https://t.co/mBI28tgzXB
— Marsha Blackburn (@VoteMarsha) July 19, 2023
The song has been listened to more than 4.5 million times on Spotify.
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Pete D’Abrosca is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network. Follow Pete on Twitter.
Photo “Jason Aldean” by Jason Aldean.
