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 sidewalk
Carjack an old lady at a red light
Pull a gun on the owner of a liquor store
Ya think it’s cool, well, act a fool if ya like
Cuss out a cop, spit in his face
Stomp on the flag and light it up
Yeah, ya think you’re tough
Well, try that in a small town
See how far ya make it down the road
Around here, we take care of our own
You cross that line, it won’t take long
For you to find out, I recommend you don’t
Try 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.
“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.