This is an opinion article…and not specifically related to Carroll County news The Observer generally writes about…but an opinion I felt the need to share with my readers.
I grew up in southern central Tennessee (for those that don’t already know that fact). It is a very rural area of Tennessee and an area that you hear a lot of country music growing up.
CMT has always been a channel I have enjoyed watching videos and listening music that I love. BUT…CMT has recently done some things I did not agree with and I let that stuff slide…and now I have reached an end with that company and channel with the controversy over the recent Jason Aldean song “Try That in a Small Town”.
From USA Today:
The TV network pulled the video from rotation, a CMT spokesperson confirmed to USA TODAY in an email Wednesday.
The network stopped showing the music video after Aldean, who survived a mass shooting while he performed in 2017, faced backlash for the song, which many perceived as being in favor of gun violence and lynching.
Not long after the video’s release, online critics highlighted the song lyrics as emblematic of songs heightening gun violence and lynching sentiments upon many in his rural, small-town fan base.
Here is what Jason Aldean recently posted on Twitter in response to the criticism of the song and video:
In the past 24 hours I have been accused of releasing a pro-lynching song (a song that has been out since May) and was subject to the comparison that I (direct quote) was not too pleased with the nationwide BLM protests. These references are not only meritless, but dangerous. There is not a single lyric in the song that references race or points to it- and there isn’t a single video clip that isn’t real news footage -and while I can try and respect others to have their own interpretation of a song with music- this one goes too far.
As so many pointed out, I was present at Route 91-where so many lost their lives- and our community recently suffered another heartbreaking tragedy. NO ONE, including me, wants to continue to see senseless headlines or families ripped apart.
Try That In A Small Town, for me, refers to the feeling of a community that I had growing up, where we took care of our neighbors, regardless of differences of background or belief. Because they were our neighbors, and that was above any differences. My political views have never been something I’ve hidden from, and I know that a lot of us in this Country don’t agree on how we get back to a sense of normalcy where we go at least a day without a headline that keeps us up at night. But the desire for it to- that’s what this song is about.
In the past 24 hours I have been accused of releasing a pro-lynching song (a song that has been out since May) and was subject to the comparison that I (direct quote) was not too pleased with the nationwide BLM protests. These references are not only meritless, but dangerous.…
— Jason Aldean (@Jason_Aldean) July 18, 2023
I fully believe everyone gets to make their own choices in life…and here was mine…to remove CMT from my channel list:
Everyone gets to make their own choices in life…and this is mine…I am officially done with CMT.@CMT @YouTubeTV @Jason_Aldean #tryTHATinAsmallTOWN #JasonAldean #CMT #countrymusic pic.twitter.com/wsrChwxaat
— Scott E (@scotteinmd) July 20, 2023
It is unlikely I will re-add that channel in the foreseeable future.
If you want to see the full video and song…you can view it here:
I am curious…what are your thoughts on this song? Also…do you think it was right from CMT to remove this video from their channel and from country music fans? Let me know in the comments.
Update: Here are some others opinions (similar to those of mine) that might be good to hear on this topic. I will note that in some of these videos there is language not appropriate for work or around kids…just thought I should let you know before you listen to these in public:
@miss_jamielyn4.5 #information #jasonaldean #countrymusic #aldeanarmy #missjamielyn🇺🇸 #👑🌽 #tsoutlaws #🇺🇸 #kristinoem
https://www.tiktok.com/@copwithattitude/video/7257558050410646827?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=7152037775498790443
@
@blackbeard03xx #stitch with @Destinee Stark be better #beardeddragon #viral #veteran #darkhumour #funnytiktok #liberal #freedom #conservative #conspiracytiktok #endchildteafficking #relatable
@the_jefferymead Rallucinations need to go. Jason Aldean’s new song has good messaging. #accountability #crime #family
