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Jason Aldean has made his first public appearance since CMT dropped his music video for “Try That in a Small Town” after backlash saying the song promotes violence.
The country music star was at a show in Cincinnati, speaking to the audience after what he called a “long week.”
“I’ve seen a lot of things that suggest this is me, that suggest this is me,” Aldean said during his concert to boos from the audience. “I feel everyone is entitled to their opinion. You can think anything you want, but that doesn’t mean it’s true. What I am is a proud American… I love our country. I want it to go back to how it was before all this nonsense happened to us. I love my country, I love my family and I will do whatever it takes to protect that.”
Then the audience could be heard shouting “USA!”. UNITED STATES! UNITED STATES!”
Aldean continued: “You know how it is, in this day and age, abandonment culture is one thing. If people don’t like what you say, they try to make sure they can fire you, which means they’re trying to ruin your life and everything. One thing I saw this week was a lot of country music fans who can see through a lot of the bullshit. I saw country music fans rally like I’ve never seen before and it was pretty badass I have to say. Thanks to both of you.”
The lyrics paired with the images from the music video for “Try That in a Small Town” bothered a lot of people. In part of the song, Aldean sings, “I have a gun my grandfather gave me and they say someday they’re going to round it up. Well that shit might fly around town, good luck.”
Sheryl Crow took to social media to slam Aldean, saying his lyrics were “not American or small-town.” It’s just lame.”
Back on the Cincinnati show, Aldean added, “I know a lot of you grew up like me. They kind of have the same values, the same principles that I do, which is that we want to take our kids to the movies and not worry about some asshole walking in there and ruining the movie theater. Then someone asked me, “Hey man, do you think you’re going to play that song tonight?” The answer was simple. People have spoken and you have spoken very, very loudly this week.”
Check out Aldean’s speech in the TikTok video below.