MORE ALDEAN MADNESS: POLITICIANS, MUSICIANS CHOOSE SIDES

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The storm clouds are gathering fast after CMT made the decision to pull Jason Aldean's video for his latest single, "Try That In A Small Town." Sheryl Crow came out against the video and the song, saying "This is not American or small town-like. It’s just lame." But Aldean has his supporters as well, who side with the singer and both the song and the video. 

• Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy posted to Twitter in support of Aldean and the song – and even promised to play it at his rallies going forward: "Jason Aldean writes a song defending the values that ALL Americans used to share – faith, family, hard work, patriotism – only to be immediately sacrificed at the altar of censorship & cancellation. These are the same people who cheer songs like 'Cop Killer' & the glorification of sex and violence in hip-hop. Stand strong against these hypocrites and opportunist frauds, Jason Aldean. It’d be a real shame if the song hits #1. We’ll do our part & play it at our rallies."
• South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem not only supported Aldean, but sent him an invitation on Twitter: "I just want them to know that we support them, we love them, and thank you for writing a song that America can get behind. Keep singing and keep playing, and if you want to come to South Dakota I’ll let you play anywhere. We’ll facilitate it, and I know you are coming in August, but if you want to come sing it on the Governor’s Residence front lawn, we’ll do it proudly."
• Travis Tritt, no stranger to controversy for his conservative views, also voiced support for his fellow Georgia native: 

From the other side of the debate, there are those that are not on Team Jason. Politicians have weighed in, with less charitable views on the song and video.

• Mayor Chaz Molder of Columbia, Tennessee, where the video for the song was filmed, had this to say: "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," adding, "Maybe Eric (Church) or Luke (Bryan or 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."
• Tennessee State Representative Justin Jones Tweeted, "As Tennessee lawmakers, we have an obligation to condemn Jason Aldean’s heinous song calling for racist violence. What a shameful vision of gun extremism and vigilantism. We will continue to call for common sense gun laws, that protect ALL our children and communities."

In the midst of all this, a song that hasn't yet hit the Top 20 on the Billboard Hot Country charts has rocketed to #1 on the iTunes chart - for all genres. All this, and it's only Thursday. Buckle up. 

Source: WhiskeyRiff

My thoughts on “Try that in a Small Town”…. @Jason_Aldean pic.twitter.com/umJ8qFvy2o

— Kristi Noem (@KristiNoem) July 19, 2023