Country music often serves as a resonant reflection of life stories and social landscapes, offering a melodic lens through which artists express their experiences and insights. Jason Aldean, a revered figure in the genre, embarked on the release of his album “Highway Desperado” to weave a musical tapestry interwoven with stories of life on the road and the countless encounters accumulated during his musical journey.
Anticipation reigned among fans as the album boasted suggestive tracks like “Try That In A Small Town,” “Tough Crowd” and “Let Your Boys Be Country” as it set for its November 3 unveiling.
In an interview that aired Friday, Aldean said the album’s title comes from his life on the road and his travels across the nation during his music career. “I guess since I was eighteen, or basically my whole adult life, I’ve been going around the nation and the world performing music. And that’s how I feel about it. It’s like living on the road and running all the time,” he noted. “I’ll say it’s it’s one of the best things we’ve done song-wise, I think it’s one of the best albums we’ve done.”
During his appearance in Massachusetts, Jason Aldean spoke briefly about the message of his song “Try That In a Small Town” and the state’s resilience after the 2013 Boston Marathon bombings. (Getty Images/Connie Chornuk))
Aldean told “FOX & Friends” co-host Ainsley Earhardt, “That song kind of said what I wanted it to say and how I felt about the state of things right now,” in response to the controversy surrounding the Try That In A music video Small Town. I don’t understand why nobody in the music industry says that.”
The five-time Grammy nominee faced criticism over the summer for his anti-crime song, which featured footage of looters and burning buildings from the 2020 riots. Public outcry forced Country Music Television to remove the video, and some accused it of releasing a song that was “pro-lynching” because of the site of the 1927 lynching of Henry Choate.
The music video’s production company, TackleBox, verified that the scene was shot at the Maury County Courthouse, citing it as a “favorite filming location outside of Nashville.” Many music videos and movies have been filmed there, such as the Lifetime original movie “Steppin’ into the Holiday.”
Country music star Jason Aldean can be seen in the official music video for “Try That In A Small Town”. The video was filmed in front of Columbia, Tennessee’s Maury County Courthouse, which has a controversial history. (Aldean Jason)
The lyrics and music video for Jason Aldean’s latest song have caused a storm on social media. (BBR Music Group/iHeartRadio/Rich Polk/Getty Images for Jason Aldean YouTube)
TackleBox added that the website has appeared in three music videos: the 2009 Miley Cyrus film “Hannah Montana: The Movie,” the June 2019 song “We Were Rich” by Runaway, and the 2022 Paramount holiday film “A Nashville Country Christmas”.
I really wasn’t sure what to say or how to approach it. After a shout-out over the song, Aldean said, “And I went on stage that night and I said what was on my mind.”
“The only way I can describe the reaction to it is that it was explosive. The place seemed to go crazy and everyone was listening to everything we said. So I believe that’s when I realized, ‘Well, they took it as would get that song,” Aldean said. There will always be people trying to make something out of nothing. That’s our culture. I get it. But if you actually listen to the song, you’ll understand my point because, as you can see, it doesn’t have anything to do with race or any other topic. I believe people of all races are sick and tired of putting up with the nonsense that is going on right now. You know what I mean? So, despite their best efforts to suggest otherwise, it wasn’t meant for a specific individual.”
PASADENA, CA – JULY 25: Jason Aldean performs at the Rose Bowl as part of Kenny Chesney’s The Big Revival Tour and Jason Aldean’s Burn It Down 2015 on July 25, 2015, in Pasadena, California. Image courtesy of Christopher Polk/Getty Images (Photo courtesy of Getty)
Aldean says he never imagined “Try That In A Small Town” would peak at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.
“It’s never happened before on that chart. So you know, and these are things that are unplanned in my opinion. We released a song called this. I was completely ignorant. I felt like the song was really cool and something that my fans would connect with. He said, “They would enjoy the song and understand what I was trying to tell them. “And you know, I didn’t think it would blow up like it did in the video. And to get it going somehow. That took me by surprise.”
Jason Aldean’s journey with “Try That In A Small Town” reflects the complexities of artistic expression in a highly sensitive and exploratory cultural landscape. Intended as a commentary on the general social climate rather than targeting any particular group, the song found itself embroiled in controversy and sparked discussion and debate far beyond what Aldean had anticipated. This experience shed light on the fickle nature of creative expression and demonstrated how a work of art can be interpreted in very different ways by different audiences.
The aftermath of the song’s release revealed the profound impact that music can have on social discourse. He emphasized the importance of engaging in thoughtful conversations about art, its interpretation, and the message it conveys. Aldean’s narrative highlights the fine line between artistic freedom and social responsibility, where the intent behind the work may not always align with its perceived meaning.
Moreover, the song’s unexpected rise to the top of the charts illuminates the unpredictable and sometimes uncontrollable trajectory of cultural phenomena. Aldean’s astonishment at the song’s success highlights the unpredictable nature of the public’s reception of works of art and shows how music can affect listeners in ways that surpass the artist’s original expectations.
Ultimately, Aldean’s experience with “Try That In A Small Town” is a testament to the subtle interplay between art, society, and perception. It serves as a reminder of the complexity inherent in artistic expression and the need for nuanced discussions about the interpretation and impact of creative works in today’s complex cultural landscape.