Controversial ‘Anti-BLM’ Jason Aldean Doubles-Down in Small Town Video Try and Slams ‘Bull**t’ He Claims Destroyed America
Country star Jason Alden has doubled down on a controversial song he released last week and attacked the ‘bulls**t’ he says destroyed the US. The troubled star
Country singer Jason Aldean has doubled down on the video for his controversial song ‘Try That In A Small Town’ and slammed the ‘bull**t’ he claims has destroyed America.
Aldean, 46, released the song last week and has since faced criticism after he linked clips of BLM protesters defending themselves with guns to the song.
Speaking at his show in Cincinnati, Ohio, on Friday night, Alden told the crowd: ‘I’ve seen a lot of things that suggest I’m this, suggest I’m this.
‘Here’s the thing, I think everyone’s entitled to their opinion. You can think whatever you want, that doesn’t mean it’s true.
‘I am what I am, a proud American. I love our country, I want it to be the way it was before this started happening to us.’
Jason Aldean attends the 58th Academy of Country Music Awards at The Ford Center on May 11 at Starr
To the delight of a sold-out crowd at the city’s Riverbend Music Centre, he added: ‘I love my country, I love my family and I will do whatever I can to protect it.’
Aldean finished, ‘USA! America!’ As he raised his hand triumphantly on stage, the crowd erupted.
The music video was met with backlash among some who felt the lyrics were intended to offend dog whistles, while others saw it as a commentary on America’s sharp divide.
BLM condemned a series of protests across the US following the police-killing of George Floyd in 2020, specifically aimed at arousing activists to act as ‘idiots’.
The riots caused billions of dollars in damage and questioned why such a large number of people were willing to break the law, with Aldean suggesting that the unrest was due to people not being ‘raised properly’.
Aldean opens the song: ‘Shove a cop, spit in his face. Stop on the flag and light it. Yes, do you think you are tough? Try a small town.’
The song was met with mixed reviews, with liberal listeners feeling that Aldean’s touting of Southern ideals and anti-riotism were right-wing insults, while fans found it difficult to agree with its traditional values.
Taking to Twitter after the song’s release last Friday, Aldean said the hit was inspired by the ‘unspoken rule’ of small towns ‘we all have each other’s backs and we look out for each other.’
Jason Aldean performs during CMA Fest 2022 in Nashville, Tennessee on June 9, 2022.
The song repeatedly references BLM protests. Pictured: NYPD officers block the entrance to the Manhattan Bridge as protests erupt in New York City on June 2, 2020.
‘It seems that somewhere along the way, the sense of community and respect was lost. Deep down we are all ready to go back to it,’ he added.
‘I hope my new music video helps you all know you are not alone.’
Since then, fellow country artists have come forward to support Aldean, including the legendary Pat Boone.
Speaking to Fox News earlier this week, Boone described the country music industry as ‘sick’ of attempts to shun Aldean.
During the Fox interview, he also held a Colt-44 given to him by his grandfather Pritchard, telling host Jesse Waters that it was exactly the type of weapon families used for self-defense.
During the Fox interview, Boone pulled out the Colt 44 his grandfather had given him
Boone added: ‘Anyone, country music or not, taking a stand against us taking a stand for our own rights is just sick.
‘It’s just morally sick, I can’t believe anyone is criticizing Jason.’